The term prolapse has a Latin origin meaning “fall”. It is defined today as the lowering of one or more organs of the small pelvis into the vaginal wall. When it is the uterus which descends, we then speak of uterine prolapse. This descent of organs causes feelings of embarrassment and pelvic discomfort in women. However, it is a subject that is little talked about and which often remains misdiagnosed.
How to detect uterine prolapse?
Uterine prolapse, also called hysterocele, is often linked to a failing pelvic floor. Made up of muscular tissues and ligaments attached to the pelvis, it is similar to a hammock which, once distended, no longer sufficiently retains the organs in their original place.
Diagnosing a descent of the uterus
It is estimated that a high proportion of prolapses are diagnosed too late, often due to lack of awareness or shame. There is then no other option than to resort to surgery.
It is important to make a early diagnosis of this pathology. The earlier the prolapse is discovered, the more effective its treatment is. The most common prolapses are cystocele (descending of the bladder) and rectocele (descending of the rectum). The other variations are rarer. Reacting quickly is therefore essential.
What are the different types of uterine prolapse?
Three cursors exist to establish the grade and severity of a prolapse:
1/ Beginner. That is to say, it still occurs at the top of the vagina.
2/ At the level of the vulvar orifice without going beyond it
3/ Externalized passing the vulvar orifice. This is a particularly worrying situation since the affected organ is partly expelled from the body.
What are the effective treatments for treating uterine prolapse?
Treatments for curing uterine prolapse depend on the severity of symptoms and the physical condition of the patient. The most common options are:
- Perineal rehabilitation : of the strengthening exercises pelvic floor muscles can help support the genitals better and reduce symptoms;
- THE pessaries : these are devices inserted into the vagina to support the uterus and reduce the symptoms of uterine prolapse;
- THE hormonal therapies : sometimes hormonal treatments may be prescribed to strengthen the pelvic tissues;
- Surgery : in the most serious cases, a operation to treat organ descent may be recommended to repair or support weakened tissues.
It is essential to consult a healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options tailored to each individual case.
Who can suffer from uterine prolapse?
Statistics show that on average, one to two women in ten are likely to have prolapse surgery during their lifetime and that the risk increases with age. This is a typically female pathology since men are always exempt from it, except in the rare cases of rectal surgery.
Postpartum prolapse
Among the main causes of genital prolapse, we can cite complications of childbirth (heavy baby, episiotomy, tears, delivery by forceps), but also those of postpartum: heavy loads carried too early after childbirth or resumption of physical activity before the 6-week mark. But this is not just the prerogative of a mother who has just had a baby.
Menopause and hysterocele
It is less talked about, but this pathology also concerns athletes and women at the age of menopause. Hormonal variations and estrogen deficiency induced by menopause is another factor favoring prolapse.
Finally, at other ages of life, eating disorders generating nutritional deficiencies or, conversely, obesity, are added to the list of potential causes.
Sport and prolapse
Women who practice active sports such as marathon runners see the risk of prolapse increase. The strong thrusts at the level of the abdominal belt have a direct impact on the pelvic floor which is then weakened.
Uterine prolapse and heredity
More rarely, the prolapse can be transgenerational. At least, one of its causes is: the abnormality of muscle tissue caused by certain hereditary diseases. However, these are rare cases.
Added to this is a primordial notion, which is that prolapse, uterine or not, is a taboo word, this “forbidden” which we cannot talk about and which remains anchored even in our modern societies.
Despite the gradual freeing up of the voices of patients and the medical profession, there remains a great lack of understanding among women. If we welcome the creation, in 2020, of a dedicated informative page on the Health Insurance website – Ameli.fr –, there is still a long way to go for the general public to really understand what prolapse is.
Ultimately, not burying your head in the sand and agreeing to let yourself be accompanied is the best way to deal with a prolapse!
