Prolapse and prolapse of the genital organs can develop in old age against the background of senile changes in the body of a woman, in the middle age category of women who have had more than 2 births, and can affect nulliparous young girls with congenital inferiority of the connective tissue. There are three stages of descent of the walls of the vagina, which proceed slowly, but this process is irreversible. Only properly organized prevention of the disease at the initial stage of prolapse can save a woman from surgical intervention by a surgeon. How to recognize the prolapse of the vagina and uterus and how to properly treat prolapse of the female genital organs, you will learn from this article.
What is the cause of the prolapse of the vagina and uterus: causes and consequences
It is believed that after the birth of a second child, the risk of vaginal prolapse doubles and increases with each subsequent labor activity. In addition to childbirth, the walls of the vagina descend and even fall out under the influence of age-related changes in the body.
The process of prolapse of the genital organs is preceded by inflammatory processes in the abdominal cavity, contributing to stretching of the pelvic floor muscles, which are unable to maintain the peritoneal organs in the correct physiological position (uterus, vagina, bladder, intestines).
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Causes of vaginal and uterine prolapse:
- congenital dysplasia (inability of the connective tissue to be in good shape);
- labour: large fetus, use of forceps, prolonged labor, large tissue tears;
- increased intra-abdominal pressure against the background of chronic cough, frequent constipation;
- development of genital tumors;
- lifelong hard physical labor;
- rapid weight loss after obesity;
- age-related changes in connective tissue: loss of elasticity and firmness - mainly after the age of 60;
- hormonal surges – increase and decrease in estrogen.
The vaginal wall does not descend in one minute, the process can take from one to several years. This condition is insidious in that it is asymptomatic at the first stage, which significantly reduces the chances of timely detection and prevention of the active development of prolapse of the walls of the vagina or uterus. Usually one wall of the vagina is prolapsed, and in very rare cases both. The prolapse of the anterior wall of the vagina occurs more often, may be accompanied by dysfunction of the bladder and prolapse of the urethra. If the posterior wall of the vagina descends, intestinal dysfunction develops, the rectum prolapses.
Stages of prolapse and prolapse of the vaginal walls
The process of prolapse of the genital organs is slow, 3 stages of vaginal prolapse can be distinguished:
Stage 1 prolapse - initial, accompanied by a slight prolapse of the anterior, posterior or both walls of the vagina without prolapse of the vulva.
Stage 2 prolapse - the beginning of the prolapse, accompanied by the prolapse of the anterior wall of the vagina along with the bladder (cystocele), the posterior wall of the vagina and rectum (rectocele).
Stage 3 - prolapse, accompanied by complete prolapse of the uterus and vaginal walls, followed by prolapse from the passage.
Symptoms of vaginal prolapse: how to recognize prolapse at an early stage
A woman does not always associate a worsening sexual life, problems with urination or passing gases with weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and prolapse of the vagina and uterus. Often, ladies look for the reasons for poor health and low satisfaction in the psychological mood, problems with other organs (the bladder itself or the intestines).
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Early signs of prolapse of the walls of the vagina and uterus are the inability to receive the body of either the woman or the partner during sex, incontinence of urine or gases during physical activity or laughter.
Also, an alarming bell is pain during intercourse, discomfort, feeling of a foreign object in the vagina. Further, heaviness appears in the vulva, increasing pressure on the muscles is felt when the uterus is lowered. As the prolapse of the vaginal walls progresses, discomfort in the bladder may appear.
As a result of increasing pressure and displacement of organs, an inflammatory process in the bladder and uterus joins. Vaginal prolapse develops after chronic cystitis with stagnation of urine. As a result of the displacement of the vagina, frequent constipation and heaviness in the rectum join. At the last stage of prolapse, with a full omission of the walls of the vagina and uterus, spotting begins and the uterus goes beyond the passage.
How to treat vaginal prolapse: basic techniques
Only at an early stage of prolapse is it possible to use conservative methods for the treatment of vaginal prolapse: Kegel exercises, exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.
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If it is impossible to prevent the development of prolapse, surgical treatment of prolapse of the uterus and vaginal walls is used.
Arnold Kegel's vaginal and uterine prolapse exercises:
- Compressions: done slowly while inhaling and exhaling. Tighten the muscles of the perineum, hold for a couple of seconds, release. Alternate tension and relaxation, gradually increasing the time the muscles are held in good shape.
- "Lift": the exercise is performed with precise tension control. Pinch the muscles of the perineum, hold for 5 seconds, relax not completely (1st floor), squeeze the perineum tighter and wait 5 seconds (2nd floor), squeeze the perineum even tighter and wait 5 seconds. Relax the muscles also in stages. As you train, you need to increase the exposure time between "floors" and the number of stages of holding the muscles of the perineum.
- Pulling out like childbirth or defecation: tense up and relax. Push down slowly, without jerking.
It is necessary to perform each of the exercises up to 200 times a day. Do it throughout the day at work, on the bus or at home while cooking dinner.
If a woman is contraindicated for surgical intervention in the third stage of prolapse, uterine rings - pessaries are used. They are inserted into the vulva and support the internal organs in the required physiological position.
To prevent the development of vaginal prolapse, you should strengthen your pelvic floor muscles every day, use Kegel exercises, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
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