A women's issue that requires attention
Some prefer to keep silent about the problem. Others consider its appearance an inevitable sign of aging and therefore do not seek medical attention. Others try to turn a blind eye to discomfort in the genital area until the disease makes itself known in full force.
Indeed, vaginal and uterine prolapse often goes unnoticed by doctors until changes in the topography of the pelvic organs become catastrophic, requiring surgical treatment. However, treatment for genital prolapse should begin as soon as it's detected. When should you sound the alarm?
How to detect disorder in a woman's household?
We can talk at length about the need for preventive examinations, but let's face the truth. When was the last time you visited a gynecologist? Did the doctor ask you to tighten your abdominal muscles and bear down during the examination? No? In this case, there is no hope of diagnosing the initial forms of pelvic organ prolapse, which means that precious time may be lost.
No, if you come with complaints of discomfort in the pelvic area, the sensation of a foreign body at the entrance to the vagina, urinary incontinence, or difficulty with bowel movements, then the diagnosis will be complete. But if none have been presented, in a number of cases one has to rely only on one’s own observation.
So when should you think about vaginal and uterine prolapse?
1. If you feel a foreign body at the vaginal entrance, this usually occurs with significant pelvic organ imbalances. The first signs of genital prolapse (the scientific term for vaginal and uterine prolapse) can be detected with a speculum. If, during straining, a rounded mass appears at the vaginal entrance and disappears as soon as the strain subsides, the problem is already evident.
2. If you are constantly tormented by inflammation of the vulva, discomfort, itching and burning in the area of the vaginal entrance, which intensifies after urination. If the treatment of colpitis produces temporary results, and vaginal discharge appears with enviable consistency a couple of weeks after the end of the course of therapy.
3. If you have often experienced the embarrassment of urine leakage when lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing and laughing.
4. If you experience difficulty with bowel movements and have to use your finger through the vagina to press on the wall of the rectum to push the stool out.
5. If during sexual intercourse, especially in the position «partner from behind», Your vagina makes noise «squelching» sounds.
6. If after giving birth you have stopped experiencing orgasm, and your sexual partner is concerned about the increase in the volume of your vagina.
In all these cases, you need to see a gynecologist. You can't remain silent; you need to speak out about the problem before it reaches alarming proportions.
In severe cases of vaginal prolapse and uterine prolapse, the vaginal walls turn outward, become dry, fragile, inflamed, and bleed. Ulcers form on them and on the exposed cervix. These ulcers are difficult to treat and often require surgery, including complete removal of the internal genital organs.
Severe prolapse leads to chronic constipation, intestinal ulcers, gas and fecal incontinence.
Prolapse leads to blood stagnation in the pelvic organs and the development of varicose veins, which can lead to pulmonary embolism and death.
Finally, the prolapsed uterus, vaginal walls, intestines and bladder can become trapped at the vaginal entrance, leading to their necrosis and severe consequences.