Uterine prolapse, the incidence of which increases with advancing age in women, occurs in approximately half of women over the age of 50. The lifetime incidence varies between 30-50%. 11% of women face the risk of undergoing surgery due to sagging uterus and bladder. Because of this problem, women are negatively affected both physically and psychologically and can isolate themselves from social life. Associate Professor from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Memorial Kayseri Hospital. Dr. Semih Zeki Uludağ gave information about uterine prolapse.
The risk increases after menopause
It is known that nerve, muscle and connective tissue damage are effective in the formation of uterine prolapse. Factors such as advanced age, chronic constipation and cough, constant heavy lifting, pregnancy, vaginal birth (history of multiple births or giving birth to a large baby), obesity, genetic predisposition play an important role in uterine prolapse. This risk increases even more when estrogen support is deprived, especially after menopause. Most of the women are hesitant to even tell the doctor about the symptoms of this problem. Sometimes this problem can be detected by chance during the examination. Uterine prolapse can often be accompanied by urinary bladder and intestinal prolapse called 'rectocele'. In addition, urinary and stool problems related to sagging are also seen in the barber.
It negatively affects sexual life
Women mostly have groin and lower back pain The patient consults a doctor with complaints such as a palpable mass at the bottom, difficulty in urinating and defecation, a feeling of incomplete emptying, or urinary incontinence, bleeding or wound formation due to rubbing on underwear. In addition, the sexual life of women is adversely affected by this situation. Especially in the late stage, after difficulty in urination, enlargement of the kidneys of the patient and even kidney failure occur. Uterine prolapse, which is not life-threatening unless there is kidney failure, seriously impairs women's quality of life. With timely surgical intervention, patients can continue their normal daily lives while getting rid of these complaints. to the degree It may vary depending on the patient's discomfort, systemic additional disease, whether he has a sexual life, whether there is urinary incontinence or not. In mild cases, 'kegel exercises' to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, weight loss, vaginal estrogen use are sufficient, while in advanced cases, vaginal applicators called 'pesser' or surgery may be required in the form of a ring and lever that keeps the uterus and bladder up. The surgeries can be performed vaginally without incision in the abdomen, or they can be performed closed thanks to the laparoscopic method.
Removing the uterus is not a solution
Women's uterus the reason for sagging; It is the deterioration of the structure of the ligaments and support structures holding the uterus and the pelvic floor muscles, and accordingly the herniation of the uterus or urinary bladder into the vagina. The problem here is not in the uterus, but in the supporting structures that hold the uterus up. Removing the uterus is not a cure for uterine prolapse, and most of the patients experience vaginal prolapse after the procedure. Especially in younger patients, this sagging can be corrected without removing the uterus. For this reason, in uterine prolapse surgery, whether or not the uterus is removed, the uterus or vagina should be hung on a strong ligament
Warnings to reduce the risk of prolapse
Especially after giving birth, Kegel exercises should be done regularly, pelvic floor muscles should be strengthened around the vagina. p>
Heavyweights should not be lifted, if heavy lifting is to be carried out, the load should be handled in a way that gives it to the legs instead of the waist and back muscles.
Smoking should never be allowed to prevent chronic cough.
Excessive weight should not be gained, Regular activity (sports, walking) should be done to avoid obesity.
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