Postpartum Wellness and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Postpartum wellness and reproductive health are important for women throughout their lifetime to prevent the onset of conditions such as Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence. The pelvic floor, which provides support for the pelvic organs and their connective tissues, is integral to keeping organs and tissues in place. If women do not observe proper postpartum wellness steps, such as daily Kegel exercises, pelvic tissues can weaken and cause problems later on.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a condition that usually affects women during menopause. In fact, as many as 50 percent of women will be diagnosed with POP during their lifetime. POP is diagnosed when tissues and organs in the pelvic cavity begin to weaken and drop. In mild to moderate cases of POP, there can be few symptoms. However, in moderate to severe cases, a woman's pelvic organs can actually drop, or prolapse, into the vaginal canal. This can cause various complications.

The leading causes of POP are pregnancy and childbirth. However, there are other factors that can exacerbate POP, such as smoking, excessive weight and a genetic predisposition.

Postpartum Wellness and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Prevention

There are simple steps women can take to promote postpartum wellness and reduce the chances of developing conditions such as Stress Urinary Incontinence and/or Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Some of these steps include:

  

Living Well: Since two risk factors associated with POP include excessive weight and smoking, lifestyle choices can work to keep pelvic tissues nourished and strong. Eating well, getting regular exercise and quitting unhealthy habits — such as smoking — can ensure women are doing all they can to promote optimal health.

 Exercises for the Pelvic Floor: Most women are familiar with Kegel exercises and may have even done them a time or two. However, daily exercises can make the difference between maintaining a strong pelvic floor and having a history of incontinence and POP.

Recent studies have proven that it's never too early to start doing Kegel exercises. Pregnant women who do daily Kegels throughout their pregnancy are significantly less likely to develop incontinence during the third trimester. Observing this practice every day beyond childbirth will continue to keep pelvic floor muscles strong.

Postpartum Wellness Protects Women from Risky Surgeries

One of the most common methods for treating moderate to severe cases of POP uses a medical device called transvaginal mesh. While transvaginal mesh can successfully treat the symptoms of POP, it has been linked to thousands of cases of serious health complications. In fact, there have been so many devastating results due to transvaginal mesh surgeries, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple health warnings about the device. Also, hundreds of women have filed transvaginal mesh lawsuits.

Any woman diagnosed with POP should talk to her doctor about the full spectrum of treatment options available. It's important to choose the treatment that poses the least risk. Better yet, by observing overall health and exercise guidelines, postpartum women can avoid POP altogether.

Elizabeth Carrollton writes about defective medical devices and dangerous drugs for Drugwatch.