Menopause, or “the change of life,” is a stage of a woman’s life that marks the end of her productive years. While every woman is different, menopause typically occurs around 50 years of age and can be both exhausting and frustrating to manage.
For most women, menopause is no picnic. This phase of life can be burdened with some very uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes, trouble sleeping, weight gain, mood swings and more. However, some menopausal women have yet another unwelcome change – pelvic organ prolapse. Though less talked about, pelvic organ prolapse is nothing to take lightly. This condition means that one or more organs of the pelvic area (such as the bladder, uterus, urethra, vagina, small bowel or rectum) has fallen or “dropped” out of place.
Why Does Menopause Cause Prolapse?
While pelvic organ prolapse is most common during menopause, there are other causes of this condition, such as heavy lifting, hysterectomy and vaginal birth. During menopause, however, there is a lack of estrogen that contributes to the thinning of the vagina as well as the structures and tissues that support the pelvic organs. When these supportive structures get damaged, weakened or stretch too far, a prolapse of one or more pelvic organs can take place.
When a prolapse occurs, the dropped organ can often press against the vagina wall and even cause a bulge that protrudes through the opening of the vagina. Some women may unknowingly experience a slight or initial prolapse during a vaginal childbirth, and menopause can make worsen the condition and make prolapse more evident.
Detecting Menopausal Pelvic Organ Prolapse
How do you know if you have prolapse during menopause? The symptoms can certainly vary from woman to woman. Some women experience slight, yet manageable discomfort and others suffer from severe emotional distress over the condition. Symptoms can be largely based on which organ dropped and the severity of the prolapse.
The following are common types of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms to be aware of:
Sensation or sight of tissue protruding from the vagina
Urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating or incomplete voiding
Frequent bladder infections
Trouble moving bowels
Lower back pain
Painful sexual intercourse
Treating Menopausal Pelvic Organ Prolapse
If you are suffering from symptoms of prolapse during menopause, you will be glad to know that there are treatment options to help restore your vagina to premenopausal condition and even strengthen your vaginal and pelvic floor structures. Common treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse during menopause can involve the following:
Hormone therapy (HT) to restore depleted estrogen
Pessary device that holds pelvic organs in place
Surgical restructuring of pelvic support
Finding a Physician Who Specializes in Menopause Management
At North Pointe OB/GYN, we have staffed our practice with talented physicians who understand how to help women through menopause. This includes treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and other symptoms that can occur during this unique stage of life for adult women. Please call our Cumming office today to learn more about ways to treat and even prevent prolapse during menopause.
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