Vaginal Prolapse

The stretching of the vagina to an extent of bulging of front wall or back wall on straining by the woman is called vaginal prolapse. A woman may find changes in the pelvic structure as she ages. These changes may cause numerous problems. With age, the muscular parts of the pelvic sling tend to lose its tone; and at the same time, there may be some protrusion of the structures of the pelvis due to stretching of ligaments. This leads to protrusions through the opening of the vagina.



When the supports of the uterus are also stretched, it leads to vaginal prolapse. When a woman strains, there is more of a prolapse where the cervix of the uterus may be found protruding out of the vagina. The protrusion of the anterior wall of the vagina and bladder is called cystocele or cystourethrocele. And the protrusion of the posterior wall of the vagina and rectum or bowel is called rectocele or enterocele.

These protrusions of the uterus into the vaginal canal are all due to the loss of support to the uterus. The first degree prolapse takes place when the protrusion leads to the upper section of the vagina. If the protrusion is found in the vaginal introitus, the protrusion is called a second-degree prolapse. However, with a complete prolapse where the protrusion leads to the introitus, it is a case of presidential or third degree prolapse.

Bladder prolaspe treatment
The main reasons for vaginal prolapse are aging and the process of birth. The doctor diagnoses a case of vaginal prolapse on examining medical history and a physical examination of the patient. This physical examination includes a pelvic and rectal exam. The treatment for vaginal prolapse varies according to the severity of the condition. In a bid to provide support to surrounding structures, a pessary is inserted into the vagina. There are numerous types of pessaries available in the market wherein the best pessary is chosen to suit one’s condition.

The basic ring pessary is sufficient for elder women. However, if there is too much of relaxing in the pelvic structures where the ring is insufficient, either an inflated ring that is donut shaped or rings that are inflated on insertion are resorted to. There is another variety of a collapsible cube that resumes its original shape on insertion of the vagina. This type of pessary is made of surgical plastic. For cases where the vaginal introitus is constricted, regular changing of a large tampon suffices as a pessary.

Women who cannot use a pessary have only surgery as the option for curing vaginal prolapse. Its pros and cons are discussed by the doctor as surgical repairs depend on limitations and demands of the patient. Closing of the vagina, colpocleisis is another choice, but is not advised for the sexually active woman.