Female Organ Prolapse
If you are frustrated or embarrassed because you have problems with leaking urine unexpectedly (called urinary incontinence)—such as when you’re physically active or when you sneeze, cough or laugh—you are not alone. Urinary incontinence, feelings of heaviness in the pelvic area, an uncomfortable lump at the opening of the vagina, vaginal pain, irritation or bleeding may be symptoms of female organ prolapse. This condition that affects millions of women worldwide.
Doctors at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) treat female organ prolapse and help women resume and enjoy normal lives.
About Female Organ Prolapse
Female organ prolapse is a condition in which the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in and around the vagina weaken and cause the bladder, uterus and other organs located in the pelvic region to fall from their normal position. Although female organ prolapse may be embarrassing, it affects millions of women.
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Risk Factors
Female organ prolapse occurs gradually over time in women who have had children and are in their 30s to 60s. The condition is hereditary, and women whose immediate family members have had the condition may also be at increased risk. Heavy lifting or straining also contributes to the development of this condition.
Many women dismiss the symptoms of female organ prolapse to getting older or being out of shape, but you do not need to suffer in silence. Female organ prolapse can be treated effectively by your PAMF doctor.
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Common Symptoms
Although many women do not experience symptoms, the most common symptoms include:
- Incontinence (leaking urine)
- Needing to go to the bathroom with increased urgency and/or frequency
- Pressure in the vagina or pelvis
- Pelvic discomfort/low back pain
- A decrease in pain or pressure when lying down
- A lump at the opening of the vagina
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Painful intercourse
- Back pain
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Surgery
Your gynecologist can often treat simple cases of female organ prolapse. However, advanced cases may require a more specialized procedure. The following PAMF doctors treat patients for female organ prolapse at these locations:
- Santa Clara County (Mountain View Center, Palo Alto Center, Los Gatos): Albert Pisani, M.D.
- Santa Cruz County: Elizabeth Newsom, M.D. and Howard Salvay, M.D.
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