Cleveland Clinic

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus and the small or large bowel, descend from their normal spot in your lower belly and push against the walls of your vagina. Nearly 50% of adult women will experience some form of pelvic prolapse during their lifetime as a result of childbirth, menopause or a hysterectomy. During childbirth, the muscles in your lower belly can weaken or stretch resulting in a lack of support for your pelvic organs. Surgical removal of your uterus, referred to as a hysterectomy, can also leave the other organs in your pelvis without enough support and cause prolapse. Although pelvic prolapse can be painful or uncomfortable, it is treatable and the condition can improve with time. It is more commonly found in older women and does tend to run in families.

Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse can include feeling pressure against the vaginal wall or fullness in your lower abdomen, incontinence, pain during sexual intercourse and constipation. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to see your doctor who can conduct a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, to determine whether your symptoms are the result of pelvic prolapse. Women experiencing mild symptoms of prolapse can do pelvic exercises, such as Kegels, and make changes to their diet and lifestyle to strengthen the pelvic muscles and help relieve pain or discomfort.

Cleveland Clinic Florida’s gynecologic specialists offer a variety of treatments designed to optimize each individual patient's results and restore normal function of the pelvic floor. Non-surgical interventions can include the use of a silicone or plastic pessary device which is inserted into the vagina to reduce prolapse, provide support to the pelvic organs and relieve pressure on the bowel and bladder. Abdominal, laparoscopic of vaginal reconstructive surgery can also help correct a prolapsed vagina while preserving vaginal sexual functioning and alleviating pelvic symptoms. Join us to learn more about pelvic prolapse treatment options available at Cleveland Clinic Florida from one of our expert urogynecologists, Amie Kawasaki, MD.

Amie Kawasaki, MD is a urogynecologist in the Department of Gynecology at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Her areas of expertise include urogynecology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.

To make an appointment with Amie Kawasaki, MD or any of the other specialists in the Department of Gynecology at Cleveland Clinic Florida, please call 877.463.2010. You can also visit us online at www.clevelandclinicflorida.org.