Pressure…Down There

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) happens when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, rectum) become weak or loose. This allows one or more of the pelvic organs to drop or press into or out of the vagina. Typical initial symptom reports revolve around “heaviness”, “pressure” or “fullness” on or in the vagina. As the severity of a POP increases, symptoms can include pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, difficulty defecating, difficulty with tampon insertion and a general difficulty with or avoidance of physical activity. Prolapse can be caused by pregnancy and childbirth due to the stretching of the muscles and tissues within the pelvis. However, POP can also occur in women who have never had children and even in men.

How can pelvic floor PT help?

A pelvic floor physical therapist can assess the severity of your prolapse and advise on next steps. Those steps may include the referral to your gynecologist for a fitting and instruction in the use of a pessary device, exercise instruction for strengthening of the muscles that support and hold up the pelvic organs, and/or activity modification and education on how to minimize the effects of the prolapse symptoms.

At Verity Physical Therapy & Wellness we are trained and skilled in POP evaluation and can help you reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life through conservative measures. Contact us today to schedule your evaluation!