Uterine prolapse, a condition that affects a significant number of women, is characterized by the uterus slipping down towards or protruding out of the vagina, due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments.
Though certainly different causes can contribute to its development, one of the most common reasons are vaginal births, specifically if instruments were used or the mother suffered birth trauma, as well as chronic constipation or inadequate load-carrying.
As health professionals, we need to fully understand this condition, its causes, symptoms and treatment options in order to be able to offer our patients an integral and personalized approach.
In this article, we’ll explain everything about uterine prolapse, its definition, its symptoms and how to treat it efficiently.
What is uterine prolapse?
As we’ve said before, uterine prolapse implies the uterus (matrix) slipping down towards or protruding out of the vagina due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. It can furthermore be accompanied by the sinking of other pelvic organs or rectal prolapse, rectocele or cystocele. It is a very common issue among women.
Some recent studies confirm that uterine prolapse affects more than 50% of women after giving birth. This condition typically manifests itself around the age of 45 to 50, often coinciding with the beginning of menopause. Furthermore, a larger incidence is observed among women aged 60 to 69.
What causes weakening of the pelvic floor ?
Different factors can contribute to the weakening of the pelvic floor and therefore to uterine prolapse, as for instance:
- Vaginal birth: Specifically births during which instruments were used or multiple births.
- Birth traumas: Tairs or lacerations during birth.
- Chronic constipation: Excessive effort while defecating can weaken the pelvic floor.
- Incorrect load-carrying: Carrying out physical effort without using the correct technique can overload the pelvic floor.
- Obesity: Obesity leads to increased pressure on the pelvic organs and the pelvic floor.
- Aging: As we grow older, muscles and ligaments start losing strength and elasticity.
- Pelvic surgery: Some surgeries, such as hysterectomy, can affect the pelvic floor.
- Chronic diseases: Some illnesses such as chronic cough or asthma can increase abdominal pressure or weaken the pelvic floor.
Symptoms alerting about a possible uterine prolapse
There are different signals alerting about the presence of a uterine prolapse:
- Sensation of having a lump or something protruding from the vagina: This feeling, often described as a ‘lump’ or ‘pressure’ in the vagina, is one of the most common symptoms of uterine prolapse. It can become more evident during physical efforts such as coughing, load-carrying or defecating.
- Heaviness or pain in the lower abdomen: a constant pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, feeling like something pressuring or tearing, can be an indication of uterine prolapse. The intensity of the pain can vary or increase due to physical activity or standing up during long periods of time.
- Pain in the lumbar-sacral area: Pain in the lumbar-sacral area of the back, often described as ‘lower back pain’ , can be another symptom of uterine prolapse. This pain is caused by the uterus shifting position and the increase of pressure on the lumbar area.
- Constipation or discomfort while defecating: Uterine prolapse can affect intestinal functioning, causing constipation, difficulty passing stool or a feeling of incomplete stool passage. This is due to the pressure of the prolapsed uterus on the rectum.
- Difficulty or pain during sexual intercourse: The dropping of the uterus can interfere with sexual intercourse, causing pain, discomfort or difficult penetration. Profound penetration can be especially uncomfortable or painful.
- Urinary alterations: Uterine prolapse can affect the bladder, causing several urinary problems, such as:
- Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary urine loss, especially during physical efforts, coughing or laughing.
- Increased urinary frequency: Increased need to urinate, even at night time.
- Urinary urgency: Repeated and intense need to urinate, sometimes hard to control.
- Mild bleeding: In some cases, uterine prolapse can cause mild vaginal bleeding, especially after sexual intercourse or physical effort.
It is important to highlight that not all women suffering from prolapse experience these symptoms. The severity of symptoms and their presence or absence vary from one patient to the other.
The diagnosis of uterine prolapse is made by means of a physical exam and, in certain cases, complementary tests such as ultrasound scan or MRI.
Strategies for the treatment of uterine prolapse
The prolapse treatment requires an integral approach, adapted to each patient ‘s individual characteristics and the severity of the condition. The improvement or solution will depend on the grade of the prolapse, the patient ‘s age and how long she has had this prolapse… But there are certain measures that can be adopted to improve the pelvic floor condition.
1. Pelvic floor exercises and activation of the deep abdominal muscles: Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal area is fundamental to improve the uterine support structures and prevent the prolapse from further worsening. Hypopressive exercises, designed to activate the deep abdominal muscles, are also very useful.
- Weight control and postural habits: Avoiding overweight and maintaining a correct posture while carrying out daily activities, such as load carrying, coughing or sneezing, contributes to the reduction of intra abdominal pressure and eases the burden on the pelvic floor.
- Specialized physiotherapy: Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment of uterine prolapses, especially grade I and grade II prolapses. A physiotherapist and pelvic floor specialist can design a personalized exercise program to strengthen the muscles, improve proprioception and correct inadequate postural habits. The aim is to prevent prolapses from happening or reduce them if they’ve already occurred.
- Biofeedback: This technique of bio-retro-alimentation allows the patient to visualize her pelvic floor activity in real time, enabling a more efficient learning process of the exercises and improved contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
- Pessary: In some cases, the use of pessaries can be useful to relocate the prolapsed organs and maintain them in place. These instruments are introduced inside the vagina and exert mild pressure on the tissues.
- In the case of grade III and IV prolapses, the treatment approach tends to be surgery combined with pre- and post-operative physiotherapy.
Capenergy: avantgarde technology for the treatment of uterine prolapse
Vaginal radiofrequency has become a highly efficient therapeutic tool for the treatment of uterine prolapse. This non-invasive technology allows for the stimulation of collagen and elastin in the pelvic floor tissues, strengthening its structure and improving the area ‘s elasticity.
Capenergy, pioneer in the development of radiofrequency devices for the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions , offers innovative and efficient solutions for uterine prolapse treatments. It is the only company to have designed a specific electrode for intracavitary treatment, equipped with a temperature sensor, which allows the treatment of the different vaginal areas, while at the same time stimulating new collagen production.
The physiotherapist can use the device to treat trigger points, adhesions and scars, all at the same time, working with temperatures of up to 41ºC, which guarantees the generation of new collagen, while at the same time offering the patient a pleasant treatment as the latter will only perceive a mild feeling of warmth.
Starting from C200, sporting 2 channels, we can perform an integral pelvic floor treatment, both external and internal, doubling the power and boosting results at the same time.
Benefits of Capenergy radiofrequency in the treatment of uterine prolapse
- Stimulation of collagen and elastin production, strengthening the pelvic floor tissues.
- Improved elasticity and tension of the vaginal muscles.
- Reduction of flaccidity and internal organ prolapse.
- Soothing of the symptoms associated with uterine prolapse.
- Outpatient treatment, painless and non invasive.
- Visible and long-lasting results.
In short, uterine prolapse is a condition affecting a significant number of women and requiring an integral and personalized approach. Capenergy’s radiofrequency can be a key ally in the treatment of uterine prolapse, stimulating collagen and elastin production in the pelvic floor tissues, strengthening the structure and improving the area’s elasticity. And as a consequence, improving patients’ quality of life.
Would you like to know more about Capenergy’s radiofrequency and how it can help you treat different ailments at your clinic? Request a free demo.
