Prolapse
Prolapse occurs when 1 or more organs in the pelvis are below their normal position. Depending on the level it is at, this organ can bulge into the vaginal passageway. These organs can involve the uterus, intestines or bladder. For women who have had surgery to remove the uterus, the part or vagina (vaginal vault) can also descend.
This condition is not life-threatening, but it can cause pain and discomfort. Depending on the extent of the prolapse, it can usually be improved with pelvic floor muscle exercises and lifestyle changes, but sometimes medical treatment is needed.
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:
- heaviness around the lower part of the pelvis or in the genitals.
- discomfort in the vagina
- feel as if something is descending down to fill your vaginal space
- there is a lump in the vagina
- discomfort during sex
- urinary problems – such as feeling like your bladder is not emptying completely, needing to go to the toilet more often, or distended.
Treatment For Pelvic Organ Prolapse
If you don’t have any symptoms, or the prolapse is mild and doesn’t bother you, you probably don’t need medical treatment. Lifestyle changes include having an ideal body weight, exercising the pelvic floor muscles, avoiding frequent heavy lifting and preventing constipation among other measures that can be taken.However, if prolapse symptoms worsen and affect your daily life, there are several further treatment options to consider. This includes the following:
- hormone treatment
- vaginal discharge
- laser treatment
- surgery
Causes Of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Prolapse occurs when the group of muscles and tissues that normally support the pelvic organs, called the pelvic floor, become weak and cannot hold the organ properly. Things that can cause weak pelvic muscles include:- pregnancy and childbirth – especially if you have a long and difficult birth need to use orceps or vacuum
- age factor
- overweight
- suffer from constipation or a prolong cough
- jobs that require a lot of heavy lifting
- the bladder bulges into the vaginal wall
- the uterus descends down
- bowel bulges into the vaginal wall
- the upper part of the vagina relaxes – this happens to some women after they have had a hysterectomy
ProlapLase
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common problem, affecting almost 50% of parous women to some degree. Before ProlapLase® there were only two solutions available: supporting pessaries and surgical methods, both of which have been associated with problems and high levels of adverse effects.
ProlapLase® is an innovative and unique non-invasive Er:YAG laser alternative for the treatment of POP. It utilizes the gentle, nonablative photothermal effects of Fotona’s SMOOTH mode to tighten the tissue and contract the vaginal canal. Preliminary clinical studies show that it is an efficient, easy-to-perform and safe procedure.
StarFormer® Magnetic Chair Treatment
StarFormer® is Fotona’s latest innovation for gynaecology: high intensity Tesla magnetic stimulation (HITS™), enabling fast and easy strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles without effort.
The StarFormer® treatment uses non-invasive, HITS™ technology to selectively target muscle tissues and provide strengthening, toning and firming of the pelvic floor muscles to effectively treat urinary incontinence.
StarFormer® can be used to stimulate both the pelvic floor and back muscles to treat all types of urinary incontinence. During treatment the patient remains clothed and sits on a comfortable chair with built-in applicators in the seat and back of the chair. The magnetic applicators in the chair stimulate muscle contraction in the entire pelvic floor area, leading to increased muscle strength. The result is effective relief of uncontrolled urine flow.
The treatment is gentle and fast, and no patient preparation is needed. The generated magnetic pulses harmlessly pass through the patient’s clothing, skin and bone, reaching otherwise inaccessible tissue. The therapy is non-invasive, painless and with no known side effects.
