The uterus is the reproductive organ where the embryo formed by the fertilization of the sperm and egg settles and continues its development until the time of birth. The uterus, which is located inside the pelvis, which is defined as the coxa, in front of the intestines and behind the urinary bladder, is also defined as the uterus in medical language. The size of the uterus, which has limited mobility and opens into the vagina, is 5 to 6 cm in women who have never given birth. size. In women who have given birth before, the size of the uterus is about 6 to 7 cm. is in the range.
How to Recognize Uterine Prolapse?
Uterine prolapse is a disorder that occurs with weakening of connective tissues called ligaments and pelvic muscles. Although uterine prolapse, which can be defined as the sagging of the uterus downwards from its location, is generally seen with increasing age, excessive delivery can also cause the uterus to prolapse. In severe cases, the uterus, which is known as the sagging of the uterine lips, can be seen to protrude out of the vagina.
Symptoms of uterine prolapse include pain in the pelvic region, a feeling of heaviness and / or pulling, difficulty in urinating, and the appearance of a part of the uterus from the vagina. The treatment of uterine prolapse also differs according to the severity of the prolapse. For example, mild cases of uterine prolapse do not need to be treated, while in severe cases, uterine prolapse, which leads to a decrease in the person's quality of life, should be treated. Frequently asked questions “Does uterine prolapse affect sexual intercourse?” Before answering the question “What is uterine prolapse”? It is necessary to answer the question.
Uterine prolapse, which is seen in approximately 50% of women aged 50 and over and defined as uterine prolapse in medical language, is one of the disorders that affects the person both physically and psychologically. The uterus, which is one of the organs of the female reproductive system, is not fixed in its region due to its limited mobility. It hangs in the area where it is located with the connective tissues, as well as the pelvic muscles. The downward slide of the uterus due to many different factors is defined as uterine prolapse.
Advanced age is one of the leading factors leading to uterine prolapse. Other reasons are multiple pregnancy, vaginal birth, giving birth to a large child, Having a large number of births and low estrogen hormone levels.
With the relaxation of the pelvic muscles and connective tissues, the uterus hangs down from where it should normally be, with the effect of gravity. Depending on the severity of the sagging, different symptoms occur in the person. In severe cases, the uterus sags into the inside of the vagina. In some cases, the uterus can even be seen from outside the vagina. Although not all cases of uterine prolapse need to be treated, the disease can be treated in cases severe enough to reduce a person's quality of life. Wondering “Why does uterine prolapse cause?” before the question "What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?" It is necessary to answer the question.
What are the Symptoms of Uterine Prolapse?
The uterus, which is the organ where the embryo settles after fertilization and continues its development until birth, may hang down from its normal position due to many different reasons. Since uterine prolapse is not the same in every person, the symptoms may differ from person to person. In mild severe cases, the person usually learns about this during routine check-ups. In such cases, it usually does not cause any symptoms as the uterus sags very little. However, some people may complain of low back pain that starts mildly in the morning and increases towards the evening.
Uterine prolapse, which is characterized by pain in the pelvis in moderately severe cases, adversely affects the quality of life of the person in severe cases. One of the frequently asked questions, "How to detect uterine prolapse?" The answer to the question is similar to the symptoms of the disease. Some of the symptoms in the presence of uterine prolapse can be listed as follows:
- Heaviness in the lower part of the abdomen,
- A feeling of withdrawal,
- Difficulty urinating,
- Incontinence,
- Intestinal problems,
- Pain during sexual intercourse,
- Vaginal bleeding,
- Higher than normal vaginal discharge,
- Tissue coming out of the vagina.
What are the Causes of Uterine Prolapse?
Weakening of the ligament tissue and pelvic muscles, known as connective tissue among the people As a result, the uterus hanging in its area hangs down with the effect of gravity. Women aged 50 and over are approx. The uterine prolapse seen in pregnancy can also occur with the decrease in the amount of estrogen during menopause. Untreated conditions such as chronic constipation and cough are risk factors for uterine prolapse. In addition, the possibility of uterine prolapse can be reduced with risk factors that can be prevented easily, such as heavy lifting. Exercising to strengthen the lower abdominal muscles helps reduce the risk of uterine prolapse. Some of the factors that cause uterine prolapse can be listed as follows:
- Advanced age,
- Low estrogen hormone level,
- Multiple pregnancy,
- Vaginal childbirth,
- To give birth many times,
- To give birth to a large baby,
- Traumas during childbirth,
- Pelvic operations performed,
- Overweight,
- Obesity,
- Chronic cough,
- Chronic constipation,
- Lifting heavy,
- Family history.
How is Uterine Prolapse Diagnosed?
Uterine prolapse is a disease that can be diagnosed by consulting a physician. Even if the person has no symptoms, uterine prolapse can be diagnosed during routine health screening. In more severe symptomatic cases, the process starts with the person's application to the physician and continues with the physician listening to the patient's story. A mini test can be done to detect the negativities in the person's life. After taking the medical history, a pelvic examination is performed. During the examination, the physician asks the person to strain to understand the severity of the sagging and to contract the relevant muscles as if holding urine to observe the pelvic muscles. In the light of the findings obtained, uterine prolapse is diagnosed and treatment is planned depending on the severity of the disease.
How is Uterine Prolapse Treated?
Uterine prolapse treatment is planned according to the current severity of the prolapse. Mild cases of uterine prolapse usually do not need treatment. However, the physician may recommend Kegel exercises (pelvic floor exercises) to prevent the severity of sagging from increasing. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles may improve early uterine prolapse cases and/or prevent the severity of the disease. In addition, if the person has chronic cough, constipation, such ailments are treated. The patient is informed about the pain and not lifting heavy.
In cases of severe uterine prolapse, the treatment differs depending on whether the person is planning a pregnancy or not. A vaginal pessary known as a vaginal ring may be recommended to people who are planning a pregnancy. By determining the size of the uterus, the use of the appropriate pessary is recommended and the person is explained how to use the ring. The vaginal ring, which is used to prevent uterine prolapse during pregnancy and during pregnancy, can also be used safely during sexual intercourse. Surgical treatment may be required if the uterine prolapse is very advanced. Uterine prolapse surgery can be performed in three different ways.
- The first of these is the replacement of weakened pelvic tissues with tissues taken from different parts of the person or with synthetic tissue.
- Another option is hysterectomy. This surgical intervention, which is applied in very severe cases, can be applied with laparoscopic, that is, closed surgery or open surgery methods.
- Colpoclesis, which can be defined as the closure of the vagina, can be applied to people who are not sexually active. Uterine sagging is prevented with colpoclesis performed by suturing the vaginal wall.
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