Unfortunately weight loss does not appear to be significantly associated with regression of pelvic organ prolapse. One study demonstrated that with 10 percent weight loss the regression of bladder and rectal prolapse was insignificant.
Treating pelvic organ prolapse
First, weight loss is your frontline treatment for preventing prolapse and easing symptoms of existing prolapse. As well, we recommend pelvic floor exercises to beef up the strength of this supportive tissue.
For some women, their prolapse gets worse over time. For others, their prolapse will stay the same with conservative treatment options. Prolapse generally does not improve without surgery, but symptoms can be managed with less invasive treatment options.
In mild or moderate cases (first- to third-degree prolapse), surgery can often be avoided. Sometimes the organs move back into the correct position on their own, or at least don't drop down further. Many women find that doing pelvic floor exercises and/or using a vaginal pessary is enough to improve the symptoms.
You are unlikely to notice any improvement for several weeks - so stick at it! You will need to exercise regularly for at least 3 months before the muscles gain their full strength. 1. Get into the habit of doing your exercises during normal day to day activities.
Changes in diet often are enough to improve or reverse a partial prolapse. Do Kegel exercises to help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic area. You do Kegel exercises by tightening the muscles you use when you urinate. Don't strain during a bowel movement.
Prolapse up to the third degree may spontaneously resolve. More severe cases may require medical treatment. Options include vaginal pessary and surgery.
What type of exercise is best for pelvic organ prolapse? Aerobic exercises three to five times a week (walking, cycling, swimming etc). Aerobic exercise helps your cardiovascular system, muscles, tendons and ligaments to stay strong and will also help you maintain to the correct weight (BMI) for your height and age.
The two non-surgical options for prolapse are pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and a vaginal pessary. PFMT can be effective for mild prolapse but is usually not successful for moderate and advanced prolapse. The main alternative to surgery for prolapse is a vaginal pessary.
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the pelvic organs (your womb, bladder or bowel) slip from their usual position. This causes the vaginal wall to bulge into, or out of, the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse isn't life-threatening. In some cases it can cause little or no problems.
Pelvic organ prolapse doesn't necessarily get worse over time, and you may not need treatment if the symptoms are not affecting your daily life. Nonsurgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse can reduce the pain and pressure of mild-to-moderate prolapse and preserve fertility if the uterus is prolapsed.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of rectal prolapse can be vital in making sure you receive the proper treatment. You cannot really shrink the prolapse. You can just restore your rectum to its normal position by manual reduction or surgery.
Not only will weight loss improve pelvic floor symptoms and prevent further progression of symptoms, it will have major positive effect on your overall health and well being.
Elevated BMI is an important lifestyle factor affecting pelvic prolapse. The most probable mechanism of POP development among obese women is the increase in intra-abdominal pressure that causes weakening of pelvic floor muscles and fascia.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises
Kegels can help make those muscles stronger and keep your prolapse from getting worse. To do a Kegel, go through the motions like you're going to pee. Then, instead of letting it out, squeeze your muscles to stop the flow of urine midstream. Tighten those muscles for 5 seconds.
Exercise is not inherently dangerous or safe for prolapse. It's how your body responds to that particular choice of exercise. Squats CAN be a very safe and helpful exercise for the pelvic floor. Lifting CAN be helpful for promoting prolapse recovery!
To conclude, Vitamin D analog supplementation can significantly increase levator ani muscle strength in uterine prolapse patients.
If you are at risk for pelvic floor injury, it's important to avoid exercises that cause excessive stress on the upper abdominal muscles. Avoid sit-ups, crunches, and floor exercises where both legs are raised off the floor at once.
Rectal Prolapse Treatments
Rectal prolapse often goes away on its own. It can be treated at home through increased water intake and a change in diet that includes more fruit, vegetables and fibrous foods. But if a person's condition does not improve, surgery may be recommended.
It also adds support to your muscles. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day. But you may get tired quickly and need pain medicine for a week or two. You may need about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery and 1 to 2 weeks to recover from laparoscopic surgery or vaginal surgery.
If you have difficulty reducing your prolapse, apply granulated sugar to the prolapsed rectum. Let the sugar sit for 15 minutes and then attempt to reduce the prolapse again. The sugar will absorb the extra water in the prolapse and cause the prolapse to shrink.
Pelvic muscle exercises (Kegels) strengthen or retrain the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor. Regular daily exercising of the pelvic muscles can be helpful. Although pelvic floor exercises may not correct the prolapse, they may help control symptoms and limit the worsening of prolapse.
The longer you sit during the day, the more pressure you exert on the “hammock,” causing damage to your pelvic floor. This can lead to: Pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic organ prolapse.
Swimming is an incredibly low impact exercise, hence very safe for the pelvic floor, and also a great cardio workout! If you aren't a confident swimmer, walking laps in the pool is a great option.