Pelvic Organ Prolapse
POP is a common, but rarely discussed medical condition. Some women are embarrassed about the condition, choose not to talk about with a doctor, and silently suffer. There are solutions available. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment is best for you.
Non-Surgical Options
Kegel Exercises – Named after Dr. Arnold Kegel, Kegel exercises involves exercising the pelvic floor muscles. In order to be effective, women must perform these exercises regularly to see a noticeable effect. The first step in a Kegel exercise is to find the right muscle. Some say imagine that you are sitting on a marble and want to pick it up with your vagina and to perform in sets of 10.
Pessaries – These custom-fit devices are plastic shapes that are worn in the vagina to support the pelvic organs.
Surgical Options
Instead of just "dealing with it," you have the option of a less invasive surgical procedure called the Restorelle™ procedure to help restore your quality of life. Whether you decide to have surgery may depend on how bad your symptoms are and how they affect your quality of life, but should be discussed with your doctor.
Should surgery be necessary, Restorelle™ could be the right solution for you. Unlike other pelvic floor repair procedures, Restorelle™ is made with a light-weight, elegant mesh designed by a urogynecologist specifically for the female anatomy. Many of the current procedures leave some women with discomfort and pain following the surgery or use mesh products that are over-engineered and have been made with a more rigid mesh used for treating hernias, primarily in men. The Restorelle™ procedure restores a women’s anatomy in a less invasive way and leaves you comfortable and confident.
What happens during the Restorelle™ procedure?
The Restorelle™ procedure is performed by a surgeon at the hospital. In POP repair, the surgeon lifts your prolapsed organ(s) back into place. The choice of surgery depends on the type of prolapse that you have, but typically a surgeon performs the repair through the vagina, abdominally, or with a laproscope. During the procedure, the surgeon secures the prolapsed organ(s) with the Restorelle™ mesh - by attaching to the surrounding tissues and ligament.
What will my recovery be like?
Although a short hospital stay will most likely be required, many women go home the next day. Since the Restorelle™ procedure is a low impact surgery, your recovery time is quicker and you will be back to your normal routine shortly. You or your partner will not be able to feel the mesh inside of you.
How do I know if Restorelle™ is right for me?
Your doctor will be the best person to decide if this procedure is right for you, but is appropriate for many patients regardless of age. This procedure should not be performed on pregnant women or women who plan to get pregnant as the mesh will not stretch greatly. Ask your doctor today.