Do you feel pressure in your pelvis or notice a bulge near the opening of your vagina? These symptoms can happen when the muscles and tissues that support your pelvic organs become weak or stretched. While pelvic organ prolapse isn’t usually dangerous, it can make daily life uncomfortable.
Not every woman with pelvic organ prolapse needs surgery. But if your symptoms are affecting your daily life, female pelvic organ prolapse surgery may help relieve discomfort.
What Does Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery Repair?
Female pelvic organ prolapse surgery lifts pelvic organs back into their normal position and reinforces the tissues that hold them in place. Depending on the type of prolapse, surgery may be used to:
- Strengthen the front or back wall of the vagina
- Lift and support the uterus
- Support the top of the vagina after a hysterectomy
When Is Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery Needed?
Not every pelvic organ prolapse requires surgery. Your doctor may recommend surgery if your symptoms affect your daily life or other treatments haven’t provided enough relief.
Female pelvic organ prolapse surgery may be recommended if you have:
- A vaginal bulge that’s uncomfortable or extends outside the vaginal opening
- Pelvic pressure, heaviness, or the feeling that something is falling out
- Trouble staying active
- Difficulty emptying your bladder or having a bowel movement
- The need to press on the vagina to urinate or pass stool
- Pain or discomfort during sex
Types of Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery
The procedure your surgeon recommends depends on the type of prolapse you have.
Anterior Vaginal Wall Repair
Also called an anterior colporrhaphy, this procedure treats bladder prolapse (cystocele).
Your surgeon makes an incision inside the vagina and uses stitches to strengthen the tissue holding up the bladder. This helps reduce the bulge and reinforce the front wall of the vagina.
Posterior Vaginal Wall Repair
A posterior colporrhaphy treats a rectocele, which happens when the rectum pushes against the back wall of the vagina.
Your surgeon strengthens the tissue between the rectum and vagina with stitches. This can reduce the bulge and make bowel movements easier.
Uterosacral Ligament Suspension
This procedure lifts the uterus or the top of the vagina using strong ligaments inside the pelvis. Your surgeon uses stitches to attach the uterus or the top of the vagina to these ligaments.
Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation
Sacrospinous ligament fixation restores support to the top of the vagina by attaching it to a strong ligament inside the pelvis. If you’re keeping your uterus, a similar procedure may be used to suspend the cervix and uterus.
Sacrocolpopexy
Sacrocolpopexy is often used to treat prolapse at the top of the vagina, especially after a hysterectomy.
During this procedure, surgical mesh is attached to the vagina and secured to a ligament over the sacrum, the bone at the base of the spine. This lifts the vagina back into its normal position and helps hold it there over the long term. The mesh is placed through the abdomen, not through the vagina like older transvaginal mesh used for some prolapse repairs.
Colpocleisis
Colpocleisis narrows or closes the vaginal canal to help hold prolapsed organs in place. It may be a good option for women who don’t plan to have vaginal intercourse in the future.
Because it’s a shorter operation, colpocleisis is often recommended for women with certain health conditions.
Surgery Options for Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse can often be repaired with or without removing the uterus.
A vaginal hysterectomy removes the uterus through the vagina. At the same time, your surgeon usually performs a suspension procedure to reduce the risk of future prolapse.
If you’d like to keep your uterus, you may be a candidate for a uterine-sparing procedure called a hysteropexy. One option is a sacrohysteropexy, which uses surgical mesh to lift the uterus by attaching it to the sacrum.
Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery Can Help You Get Back to Living Comfortably
If pelvic organ prolapse is making daily life uncomfortable, you don’t have to live with the symptoms. At Atlantic Urology Clinics, we’ll help you understand your treatment options, including female pelvic organ prolapse surgery. If you’re experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, schedule an evaluation at one of our offices in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, or Conway. Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment.