Prolapse Specialist
-
- Tweet
Renee Cotter, MD
Gynecologists located in San Fernando Valley, West Hills, CA
A pelvic organ prolapse can cause intense pain and discomfort. Dr. Renee Cotter offers treatment options that are designed to correct the prolapse and get you feeling back to your old self. If you live in West Hills, Canoga Park, or other communities in the San Fernando Valley, call Dr. Cotter to make an appointment. She offers advanced treatment options for many gynecological problems.
Prolapse Q & A
What is pelvic organ prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition affecting many women, especially after childbirth and in menopause. Women with this condition will have prolapse of the vagina, and if present, the uterus and cervix, into the pelvis.
Typically, ligament-like structures envelop the vagina and uterus, thus securing it to the pelvis. However, those tissues wane when pelvic floor muscles weaken. If that happens, the vagina gets displaced around and beyond its opening.
What are the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?
Frequently this condition is associated with symptoms of vaginal and pelvic pain. You may notice a bulge from the vagina, which may represent either the bladder, rectum, or the uterus itself. Symptoms of urinary or fecal incontinence frequently are seen with women who have pelvic organ prolapse. Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty voiding
- Frequent urination
- Pelvic or vaginal heaviness or pain
- Dropping or bulging
- Recurrent bladder infection
How is a prolapse treated?
After a complete evaluation, Dr. Cotter can recommend both surgical and nonsurgical options for management. She specializes in minimally invasive surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse.
The surgical procedure to correct pelvic organ prolapse is a few tiny incisions. That allows for a more rapid recovery, minimal blood loss, and minimal post-op pain. You can even return home on the same day.
In some cases, surgical repair of the vaginal wall is necessary to repair weak muscles over the bladder or rectum. If this is required, the procedure can be performed without the need for a Sacrocolpopexy, dependent on the situation.
Urinary incontinence is an issue commonly associated with pelvic organ prolapse as well. If necessary, Dr. Cotter may simultaneously perform surgical correction for incontinence via tiny vaginal incisions.
