Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest gifts; a journey filled with anticipation and joy as you prepare to welcome a new life. This transformative period is marked by profound changes in your body, some of which are awe-inspiring and others that can be quite challenging. Among the many health effects that new mothers might face, vaginal prolapse is a lesser-discussed yet significant condition that deserves attention. A kind of pelvic organ prolapse, it can cause discomfort in your vaginal region in the least. Its more severe symptoms are pain, infections, and trouble holding the pee in. Wondering how common these prolapses are? A scientific report published by Nature reveals that pelvic organ prolapse, alongside other pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD), affects 1 out of 3 pregnant women. Other dysfunctions include urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions.
It’s surprising how a health problem as prevalent as vaginal prolapse has very little awareness. Today, we’re here to remedy that by attempting to understand the link between pregnancy and these prolapses.
A Closer Look At Vaginal Prolapse
Let’s begin by breaking down vaginal prolapse in the simplest way possible. This condition occurs as the muscles and tissues of your pelvic region are weakened. This leads your vaginal walls to collapse and push towards the vaginal opening.
Multiple causes contribute to vaginal – or other pelvic organ – prolapse, only one of which is pregnancy. The others include surgery; women who have undergone hysterectomy or had their uterus removed are more likely to have it. The same is true of women who don’t maintain a healthy body weight, have a chronic cough, or put too much physical strain on themselves.
Among other causes, menopause emerges as a significant one. Estrogen is a hormone produced naturally in your body that keeps your pelvic muscles strong. Since your ovaries no longer produce estrogen when you’re going through menopause, it increases the vulnerability of these muscles to prolapse.
The symptoms of vaginal prolapse include a constant feeling of fullness in your pelvic area; you might even experience slight pain. Then, there’s lower back pain, returning bladder infections, and problems in sexual intercourse.
Are There Other Kinds of Pelvic Floor Prolapse?
Yes, there are. Pelvic floor prolapse includes several conditions where other pelvic organs shift out of place due to weakened muscles and tissues. Let’s take a look at other kinds beyond the vaginal prolapse:
Uterine Prolapse:
Uterine prolapse happens when the uterus slips down into the vaginal canal, often after childbirth or due to menopause. In this condition, you can feel a constant heaviness or pulling in the pelvis.
Cystocele (Bladder Prolapse):
When your bladder sags into the front wall of the vagina, it causes cystocele. Urinary issues like leakage or a frequent need to urinate are common symptoms.
Rectocele (Rectal Prolapse):
Rectocele involves the rectum pushing into the back wall of the vagina, which can make bowel movements challenging and uncomfortable.
Enterocele:
Enterocele happens when the small intestine drops into the lower pelvic area, pressing against the vagina and causing pelvic pressure or lower back pain.
The Impact of Pregnancy On Your Pelvic Floor
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it can take a toll on your pelvic floor. These muscles and tissues support your bladder, uterus, and bowel, and pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on them. As your baby grows, its added weight further stretches and weakens your pelvic floor muscles.
During childbirth, especially with vaginal deliveries, the pelvic floor muscles undergo significant strain. Dr. Ashley Rawlins, a pelvic physical therapist, explains how your pelvic floor muscles stretch several times their actual length during vaginal delivery.
This seemingly impossible stretch facilitates the head of your baby to come out safely, causing some kind of perineal injury to the mother. The process of pushing can lead to tears or overstretching, which can result in pelvic floor disorders like prolapse later on.
Even cesarean deliveries aren’t entirely off the hook; the weight of carrying a baby for nine months can still weaken these muscles.
Hormonal changes also play a role. Relaxin, a hormone that helps your body prepare for childbirth, loosens the ligaments and joints, including those in your pelvis. While this is great for making room for your baby, it can also mean less support for your pelvic organs.
Are Both Vaginal and Cesarean Deliveries Equally Vulnerable to the Risk of Prolapse?
No, they aren’t. The stress that carrying a baby inside your uterus causes on your pelvic muscles remains the same for all pregnant women. This is true regardless of whichever type of delivery they opt for – or have to choose.
However, in vaginal delivery, your pelvic muscles suffer a significant amount of strain as they stretch enough to make room for the baby’s exit. This strain is absent in cesarean deliveries, which makes them less vulnerable to the risk of prolapse than the former.
Treating Vaginal Prolapse After Pregnancy
Now that we’ve learned all about the link between pregnancy and vaginal prolapse, it’s time to explore its treatment options. Keep reading to know what choices you have to make an informed decision:
Implanting Transvaginal Mesh Through Surgery
When it comes to treating vaginal prolapse surgically, transvaginal mesh is the most popular solution.
Implanting transvaginal mesh through surgery involves placing a synthetic mesh through the vaginal wall to support weakened pelvic floor muscles.
This mesh acts like a hammock, lifting and securing the prolapsed organs back into their proper position. The procedure aims to reduce symptoms and provide long-term relief, though it can come with risks of its own.
A deeper look into the safety of this vaginal mesh revealed a disturbing picture. TorHoerman Law notes that once inside our bodies, they’re prone to erosion over time, exposing women to severe infections. And this is only one of its health complications; others include pain, bleeding organ perforation, scarring, recurring prolapse, and more.
In light of these complications, many women suffering from them have filed a vaginal mesh lawsuit against the manufacturers of these devices. Many of them have even paid settlement amounts as large as $300 million for their negligence and its severe consequences.
Non-surgical Alternatives
Compared to the surgical vaginal mesh implant, the non-surgical alternatives are less invasive in nature.
The first alternative recommended most commonly to women is vaginal pessaries. These removable silicone or rubber devices are inserted into the vagina to provide internal support to the prolapsed organs.
Pessaries come in various shapes and sizes, and a healthcare provider can help find the right fit. They can be particularly useful for those who want to avoid or delay surgery.
For some women, estrogen therapy can also help maintain the strength and elasticity of their vaginal tissues, potentially alleviating symptoms of prolapse. These therapies are commonly recommended to older women who are in their post-menopause stage.
Can Lifestyle Modifications Help?
Many women wonder if there are more straightforward ways of treating vaginal prolapse, unlike the ones we discussed above. The truth is, if your prolapse isn’t extreme, it can be managed by making certain tweaks in your daily lifestyle and habits.
First, you’ll need to inculcate kegel exercises into your daily routine. These exercises target your pelvic muscles and can help support them in case of strain.
A healthy body weight is another factor that prevents the occurrence of vaginal prolapse. If your pelvic muscles also have to bear your heavy body weight, they become prone to weakening. It is for this reason that obesity often makes way for recurring prolapse.
If you’ve gained weight post-pregnancy, which is completely normal, it’s advisable to indulge in physical activities that help you lose the extra pounds. A healthy diet also plays a key role in the process.
While the joys of pregnancy are abundant, the natural process of childbirth also takes a toll on mothers. Vaginal prolapse is one of the consequences of the heavy toll moms-to-be struggle with. While this condition can cause mild to extreme discomfort, it can also be managed with certain changes and instruments.
