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Pelvic Prolapse Doctor in Sarasota and Tampa

Fellowship-Trained in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Wyman has extensive experience in minimally invasive surgical and non-surgical treatment options to offer women suffering with pelvic organ prolapse.

As many as 3% of women throughout the United States suffer from pelvic prolapse, which occurs when your pelvic muscles are no longer able to support your pelvic organs, allowing them to fall into your vagina. Fellowship-trained urogynecologist, Allison Wyman, MD, FACOG, in Bradenton, Florida utilizes cutting-edge technology and techniques to diagnose and treat prolapse in women. If you live near Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, or Arcadia, call our urogynecology office in Sarasota and Tampa, FL, or request an appointment online today.

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Experiencing pelvic organ prolapse can be challenging — it can interfere with your activities, intrude on your personal life, and be just plain uncomfortable.

Types and Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (or POP) is a condition in which one or more organs in the pelvis descend due to a loss of support from the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, vagina, small bowel, and bowel. They are often described as being shaped like a hammock.

Normally these muscles and surrounding tissues keep the pelvic organs in place.  Sometimes they can become too weak or stretched to continue supporting your pelvic organs.  Organ shifting that happens because of these weak muscles can result in one or more types of prolapse.

 

Female Pelvic Floor, Types and Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Understanding Prolapse

To better understand the different types of prolapses, it is important to understand which organs have shifted as well as in which space of the pelvic floor became weak which results in different types of prolapses.

Front (anterior) Wall Prolapse

  • Bulging of the pelvic organ outside of the body is one possible symptom. Another symptom may be some form of urinary incontinence.

Cystocele Prolapse: Occurs when the bladder protrudes into the vagina due to the anterior (front) vaginal wall becoming weak.

Cystocele Prolapse occurs when the bladder protrudes into the vagina due to the anterior (front) vaginal wall becoming weak.


Back (Posterior) Wall Prolapse

  • A bulging sensation is one possible symptom. Another symptom may be stressful bowel movements, either straining during bowel movements or not feeling like you evacuated all of your bowls. Lastly, you may experience the need to put your finger into your vagina or rectum to help fully empty your bowls.

Rectocele Prolapse: Occurs when the rectum protrudes into the vagina due to the weakening of the supporting tissue.

Rectocele Prolapse occurs when the rectum protrudes into the vagina due to the weakening of the supporting tissue.

Enterocele Prolapse: Occurs when the small intestines protrudes into the vagina due to the weakening of the support tissue.

Enterocele Prolapse occurs when the small intestines protrudes into the vagina due to the weakening of the support tissue.


Top of the Vagina

  • A bulge or feeling pressure are usually the most commonly found symptom.

 

Vaginal vault prolapse: Occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and drops into the vagina.

Vaginal vault prolapse occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and drops into the vagina.

Uterine prolapse: Occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and the uterus drops into the vagina.

Uterine prolapse occurs when the top part of the vaginal wall loses support and the uterus drops into the vagina.


Potential Causes of Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is common. Over 3 million women in the United States suffer from Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP).1

There are certain risk factors however which may increase your likelihood of experiencing prolapse, including:

  • Vaginal childbirth
  • Menopause
  • Obesity
  • Chronic cough
  • Frequent constipation
  • Pelvic organ tumors

Symptom Checker

Women experiencing prolapse won’t always experience obvious symptoms. As prolapse progresses, the symptoms may become more apparent and painful. If you are experiencing prolapse, you may feel:

  • Stress or pressure in the pelvic region
  • Vaginal discomfort, pain, pressure or bleeding
  • Pulling or aching feeling in the lower abdomen or pelvis
  • A bulge distended from the vagina
  • Pain or uncomfortable sexual intercourse
  • Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you may have prolapse and should consult with your doctor. Remember, although these signs and symptoms can alert you to a problem, they are not unique to prolapse, so it is important to consult a doctor for the correct diagnosis.

Find Frequently Asked Questions about pelvic organ prolapse on FemalePelvicSolutions.com.


Sources:

1) http://www.pelvicorganprolapsesupport.org/pelvic-organ-prolapse-help-and-hope/ Downloaded 10.17.

2) https://www.voicesforpfd.org/pelvic-organ-prolapse/ 

3) https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-prolapse#1 Downloaded 10.17.

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Can Prolapse Get Worse?

It is not possible to give a definite answer to this question. For some women, their prolapse can get worse over time, while for others, their prolapse will stay the same with more conservative treatment options. It's important to know that prolapse normally does not improve without pelvic floor reconstruction surgery.

What can I Expect During a Prolapse Diagnosis?

Dr. Wyman is an experienced urogynecologist and conducts a comprehensive exam when you come in with symptoms of prolapse. During your evaluation, she reviews your symptoms, medical and gynecological history. She will also perform a physical and pelvic exam to determine the severity and grade of your prolapse. Once understandling your situaiton, she can then consult with you to design your treatment plan. 

Schedule a Consultation with a Pelvic Prolapse Specialist in Sarasota, FL

If you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, contact Dr. Allison Wyman to discuss the treatment options available. To schedule a consultation at our urogynecology clinic in Sarasota and Tampa, FL, please call (941) 241-0161 or request an appointment through our secure online form. We are conveniently located for patients throughout Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, and Arcadia.

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