Pelvic organ prolapse and pessaries
Have you been told you have a pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and then went down the internet rabbit hole to find out what that means? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) defines pelvic organ prolapse as “...a disorder in which one or more of the pelvic organs drop from their normal position. It is caused by injury to the muscles or tissues that support the pelvic organs. The pelvic organs include the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra, and rectum. These organs are held in place by muscles of the pelvic floor.”
You might experience a bulging sensation, heaviness, or even feel like something is coming down into the vaginal canal. Some may describe it as a tampon that won’t stay in place. This can be seen following a vaginal birth, but can also be present in someone who has never had children! An important part of treating a prolapse is understanding where the pressure is coming from that is creating that downward movement, and then managing this with breathwork and improving coordination of the pelvic floor muscles through specific exercises that are tailored to each person.
Research also supports treatment with the use of a vaginal pessary, which is a device that is inserted to help support those organs by keeping them from descending downward. In addition to decreasing stress on the tissues by lifting them out of the way, with a pessary in place, the pelvic floor muscles can function in a position that is optimal for them. There are several shapes and sizes of pessaries, and can typically be fit by a gynecologist to make sure it is the right size and is also comfortable to wear. Many people wear pessaries for several weeks at a time, and others wear this just during activities that are symptomatic - such as lifting weights or spinning. The goal for pessary use is not only to treat these symptoms conservatively, but to also allow you to return to your favorite activities without feeling limited by the prolapse symptoms.
If you are interested in learning more about pelvic organ prolapse and how physical therapy combined with pessary use can help you, we are here to help!
You can check out our additional blog related to POP and pessaries here: Pessaries & Prolapse 101, and How Pessaries Help Many With Prolapse Reach Their Goals Faster
Interested in learning more? Chat with us about your specific needs in a free 30 minute consultation.