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Pelvic Organ Prolapse
www.PelvicOrganProlapse.com

Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Pelvic Prolapse 
Information, Resources & Physician Referrals

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic Organ Prolapse also referred to as Pelvic Prolapse, is a very common condition, particularly among older women. It's estimated that half of women who have children will experience some form of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in later life. Many women, particularly because they may no longer be sexually active, and fail to continue receiving their annual pelvic exams, don't seek help from their doctor. Therefore, the actual number of women affected by Pelvic Organ Prolapse is unknown. 

Pelvic Organ Prolapse is also referred to as; genital prolapse, pelvic relaxation, pelvic prolapse, uterine prolapse, uterovaginal prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, urogenital prolapse, vaginal relaxation or vaginal vault prolapse.

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse
www.PelvicOrganProlapse.com

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info@PelvicOrganProlapse.com

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October 2008 - Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Issues a Black Box Warning on the Use of Vaginal Mesh and Synthetic Mesh Used in Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgeries

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a black box warning on the use of vaginal mesh used in pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgeries.

The FDA stated in the Black Box Warning; “Most frequent complications included erosion through vaginal epithelium, infection, pain, urinary problems, and recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence.”

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What is Pelvic Prolapse?

Pelvic Prolapse is another term used for "Pelvic Organ Prolapse."  Pelvic Prolapse is a very common condition, particularly among older women. It's estimated that half of women who have children will experience some form of Pelvic Organ Prolapse in later life. Many women, particularly because they may no longer be sexually active, and fail to continue receiving their annual pelvic exams, don't seek help from their doctor. Therefore, the actual number of women affected by Pelvic Organ Prolapse is unknown. 

Pelvic Prolapse may also be called; genital prolapse, pelvic relaxation, pelvic prolapse, uterine prolapse, uterovaginal prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction, urogenital prolapse or vaginal vault prolapse.

What are the symptoms that indicate a woman is suffering from Pelvic Prolapse?

• Loss of bladder control.

• Loss of bowel control.

• Increasing need and frequency to urinate - and then difficulty in completely emptying your bladder.

• The feelings that your of pelvic or vaginal heaviness, bulging, fullness and/or pain, or a feeling that something is "dropping."

• Recurrent bladder infections.

• Excessive vaginal discharge.

• Pain or lack of sensation during sex

But Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a real, common and treatable problem. Consider this:

About half of all women over age 50 suffer from some degree of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

One in 10 women undergo surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse by age 80.

What is "Colposuspension" surgery?

Age and vaginal childbirth takes it toll on women's pelvic organs and this has lasting effects that cause a number of problems for women. 

"Female Urinary Incontinence" is one of the most problems that most women - over 50% - that delivered one or more babies vaginally, have to contend with. 

Women with female urinary incontinence have problems relating to urine "leakage" whenever they; strain, cough, laugh or run. This condition is also called "stress urinary incontinence" meaning the stress of physical activity, not emotional stress is causing her to "leak" urine. 

The problems associated with female urinary incontinence are corrected in the the "floor" of the woman's pelvis by several methods or types of surgeries - one of which is called Colposuspension. 

A woman's pelvic floor is a sheet of special muscles and ligaments that stretch across the inside of the female pelvis. Women can feel it "tighten" when they try to hold back the flow of urine - or when they strain, cough, laugh or run. The uterus and bladder are located above the pelvic floor. The vagina and the opening of the bladder (the urethra) pass through the pelvic floor. If the pelvic floor weakens, the uterus and bladder "drop" down. The control of the urine is thereby weakened. 

Colposuspension surgery strengthens the pelvic floor to lift, or "suspend" the uterus and bladder back up to their correct position within the woman's pelvis.

The word "Colposuspension" comes from the Greek word for vagina, which is "colpos."


What is a "Suburethral Sling"?

A "Suburethral Sling" is a type of pelvic support that is constructed (surgically) from muscle, ligament, or synthetic mesh material that elevates the bladder from underneath in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.


What happens during Suburethral Sling surgery?

In Suburethral Sling surgery, the surgeon inserts a supportive strap of material (called the suburethral sling) which elevates the woman's urethra and bladder neck, and then "anchors" it to each side of her pubic bone. 

A Suburethral Sling is a medical "device" that is made from either a synthetic mesh, or the device can be fashioned from donor tissue or the patient's own tissue, which is cut from her abdominal wall. Although it is a more invasive procedure, some patients prefer using their own tissue, because synthetic material may erode into the urinary tract and cause infection or reduce effectiveness.

Newer techniques for Suburethral Sling insertion are minimally invasive, allowing for smaller incisions and shorter hospital stays. These techniques are "variations on the Suburethral Sling and they conceptually work the same way to provide a little hammock for support to the urethra. 


What is a "Midurethral Sling"?

The "Midurethral Sling" is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that is performed to treat women with Stress Urinary Incontinence.


What is a "Transobturator Sling"?

The Transobturator Sling is another minimally-invasive surgical procedure that is performed to help women with Female Stress Urinary Incontinence. 

The Transobturator Sling surgery is performed by the doctor placing a narrow strip of tape or mesh in a position that provides support for the woman's urethra. The Transobturator Sling procedure eliminates some of the potential complications that come about from other Sling type surgical procedures that blindly passes a large needle carrier through the retropubic space.

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse
www.PelvicOrganProlapse.com

info@PelvicOrganProlapse.com

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