Are you experiencing discomfort and wondering if you need vaginal prolapse treatment in London? Do you feel a heavy sensation in your vagina by the end of the day, pelvic pain, or discomfort during sex? Perhaps you’re dealing with incontinence?
Vaginal prolapse is a common condition that can greatly affect a woman’s quality of life. However, many women endure these symptoms for years without consulting a healthcare professional for help.
What is Vaginal Prolapse Really?
Vaginal prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting a woman’s pelvic organs, like the bladder, uterus, or rectum, weaken or stretch. As a result, one or more of these organs drop or push into the vaginal area, often causing a bulge or pressure in the pelvis.
This can lead to discomfort or issues with urination, bowel movements, or sexual activity. It’s a common condition, particularly after childbirth or with age, and various treatments are available to help manage symptoms and enhance quality of life.
Symptoms of Vaginal Prolapse
Several common symptoms may indicate a vaginal prolapse.
You might feel as if something is dragging” or hanging down in your vagina. There can also be heaviness in the lower abdomen and genitals. In some cases, you may notice or feel a physical bulge emerging from your vagina. Vaginal prolapse can also lead to issues with your bladder, bowel, or sexual function.
Urination may become difficult, or you might feel your bladder isn’t emptying. Some people also experience incontinence, leaking urine when coughing or sneezing.
If the bowel is affected, incomplete emptying or constipation may occur. Discomfort during sex is common, and you might experience a reduced sensation during intercourse.
These symptoms fluctuate throughout the day, often becoming more noticeable in the evening. They may also vary day to day and differ from person to person. It’s important to seek advice if you notice any of these symptoms.
Vaginal Prolapse Causes
Vaginal prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs become weak. Several factors contribute to this, including:
- Previous hysterectomy
- Excess weight
- Ageing and menopause
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Heavy lifting
- Certain health conditions
If you’re experiencing symptoms of vaginal prolapse, consult a private gynaecologist in London who can provide the best treatment to suit your unique needs and situation.
Can You Prevent Vaginal Prolapse?
To prevent vaginal prolapse, it’s crucial to maintain strong pelvic health, as the condition occurs when pelvic muscles weaken. You can take several steps to reduce the risk or minimise symptoms, such as lifting correctly, maintaining good posture, managing a healthy weight, and addressing constipation. If you smoke and have a persistent cough, quitting cigarettes will also be beneficial.
Strengthening your pelvic floor through specific exercises is one of the best ways to ensure it functions properly.
These exercises also called Kegels, named after the American gynaecologist who first recommended them to help women maintain a strong pelvic floor.
However, certain factors, such as medical conditions or life events, can still weaken these muscles and lead to prolapse, even if you practise pelvic floor exercises regularly.
Non-surgical Treatments for Vaginal Prolapse
Non-surgical approaches are often the first line of treatment for vaginal prolapse. These options typically include:
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Kegel exercises, or pelvic floor exercises, help strengthen the muscles supporting the pelvic organs. You can improve muscle tone and support by regularly contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
Pessary
A pessary offers a temporary or long-term solution, particularly for those looking to avoid surgery.
Lifestyle Modifications
Adopting certain lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms of vaginal prolapse. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, managing chronic cough, and treating constipation can all reduce strain on the pelvic floor and provide relief.
Surgical Treatments for Vaginal Prolapse
In severe cases, reconstructive surgery for vaginal prolapse offers a solution to correct the issue and improve bowel, bladder, and vaginal function. Surgeons can employ various techniques, such as laparoscopy, vaginal surgery, or an abdominal incision. However, it’s essential to understand that around 30% of prolapses may return following surgery.
Surgical options include:
- Cystocele or Rectocele Repair – addresses a prolapsed bladder, urethra, rectum, or small bowel.
- Vaginal Vault Suspension – strengthens the vaginal wall, often performed laparoscopically.
- Vaginal Obliteration – removes most of the vaginal lining and closes the vagina, making sexual intercourse impossible and the procedure irreversible.
While surgery for vaginal prolapse treatment in London can offer significant relief, it comes with increased risks and is not always fully effective.
What surgery suits you best?
Vaginal prolapse surgery varies depending on your preferences and the type and severity of the prolapse. Most procedures are performed vaginally, leaving no abdominal cuts or scars. Gynaecologists use stitches (sutures) rather than mesh for these surgeries. For certain types of prolapse, abdominal cuts may be necessary, though most of these can be done through minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
If you choose surgery, expect a hospital stay of one to two nights, and avoid strenuous activities for up to six weeks post-operation. Once fully recovered, you should be able to return to all your usual activities.
Prolapse is a common yet often distressing condition. A timely diagnosis by healthcare professionals can identify and address treatable causes. The clinician will listen closely, understand how the prolapse affects you, and offer countless treatment options. You and your clinician can choose the treatment that best meets your needs.
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse typically aims to lift and support the pelvic organs by either stitching them into position or reinforcing the existing tissues. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, and the technique chosen depends on the prolapse’s severity. Recovery from pelvic organ prolapse surgery often requires a hospital stay and significant downtime, with most patients advised to take 6 to 12 weeks off work to recover.
The NHS no longer provides vaginal mesh surgery, a procedure that involves inserting a synthetic mesh to hold the pelvic organs in place. If you’re seeking expert care, consider the Top Gynaecologist in London for alternative treatments or advice.
Final Verdict
If vaginal prolapse doesn’t cause symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. However, getting an assessment and advice on preventing its progression, also rules out any underlying, easily treatable causes. For cases where prolapse is causing significant issues, vaginal prolapse treatment in London should focus on alleviating symptoms, restoring normal anatomy, and enhancing overall well-being.
