If you have pain in your pelvic region, you’re not alone. There are several conditions that cause women to have pain in their abdomen, lower back, or genitals. Here are a few reasons you may be hurting.
Your pelvis contains several important organs, including your bladder, vagina, rectum, urethra, and uterus. A group of muscles known as the pelvic floor muscles hold these organs in place.
When your pelvic floor muscles and the tissues connecting them can’t adequately support your pelvic organs, a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse may occur. (Prolapse means “to slip down.”) If this happens, one or more of your pelvic organs may move down into a part of your pelvic region where they don’t belong.
To better understand pelvic organ prolapse, think of your pelvic muscles as a hammock that holds your organs in place. When the muscles and tissues that make up the hammock become weak, the organs may spill out.
Are you likely to develop pelvic organ prolapse? Maybe, especially if you have any of the following risk factors.
Pregnancy and delivery can stretch or strain the muscles in your pelvic floor. Although vaginal birth is more likely to be linked with pelvic organ prolapse than a C-section, both can weaken your pelvic muscles.
Having a baby who weighs over 8.5 pounds can be especially stressful to your pelvic muscles.
Scarring can make pelvic muscles less resilient.
As you get older, your muscles can lose some of their strength and elasticity. In addition, the hormonal changes of menopause may impact pelvic floor muscles. Although women of any age can develop pelvic organ prolapse, it is most common after menopause.
Excess body weight and excess fat in the abdominal and pelvic area can put pressure on pelvic floor muscles.
Conditions such as chronic coughing or chronic constipation can stress your pelvic floor muscles and cause them to weaken over time.
If you have an elevated risk for pelvic organ prolapse, pay attention to your body and tell your doctor if you notice anything unusual. Pelvic organ prolapse can cause one of more of the following signs and symptoms:
Mild cases of pelvic organ prolapse may improve with Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. To do a Kegel, you squeeze the muscles you use to stop urine from flowing.
In addition, a silicone device known as a pessary can be inserted into your vagina to support prolapsed organs.
If pelvic organ prolapse is more serious, you may need surgery.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, our team of care providers at Virtuosa GYN in San Antonio, Texas, can help. We are experts at diagnosing and treating this common women’s health condition. Call us to schedule a consultation.
You Might Also Enjoy...
If you have pain in your pelvic region, you’re not alone. There are several conditions that cause women to have pain in their abdomen, lower back, or genitals. Here are a few reasons you may be hurting.
Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, is the second most common type of gynecological surgery among women of reproductive age. Here are five reasons
Endometriosis, a condition in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, can interfere with fertility. But treatment can make it possible for women with endometriosis to have successful pregnancies.
Certain factors — such as family history, ethnicity, obesity, diet, and hormone levels — can raise your risk of developing uterine fibroids. Learn more about what they are and how they’re treated.
Do menopause-related hot flashes, fatigue, and memory problems interfere with your ability to do your job? These eight tips can help you handle your menopause symptoms at work.
HPV causes the most common kind of sexually transmitted infection in the United States and affects more than 80% of women at some point in their lives. It can lead to genital warts and some kinds of cancer. Learn how to protect yourself.