Physiotherapy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organs are structures found in the pelvic cavity. They include the bladder, womb and bowel. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the supporting structures of the organs and the pelvic floor muscles are weakened. Thus, one or more of the pelvic organs will descend from their normal position. This is a common medical condition and is treatable.

What Are The Symptoms?

A lump at the vagina
A feeling of pelvic 'heaviness' and of 'falling out'
Lower back pain
Urinary or anal incontinence which is the involuntary leakage of urine, wind or faeces
Inability to completely empty bladder or bowel, where you will feel like going to the toilet again after emptying your bladder or bowel
Urinary tract infection

What Do I Need To Do To Prevent Worsening Of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Do:

Keep body weight within healthy limits. By doing so, the weight of abdominal contents pressing the pelvic floor is lessened and the pelvic floor does not weaken further
Eat a diet rich in fibre and drink between 1.5 - 2 oz of fluids per day
Tighten pelvic floor muscles before lifting heavy objects, changing positions, coughing or sneezing. This can be taught to you by our hospital physiotherapists
Seek early treatment for chronic coughs, and quit smoking preferably.

Don't:

Squat for a prolonged period
Lift heavy objects repeatedly

Physiotheraphy For Pelvic Organ Prolapse

It includes the following:

Pelvic Floor Exercises - Are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and increase their endurance.
Bowel Movement Retraining - Teaches passing motion without straining the pelvic floor muscles.
Posture and Movement - Advise on correct posture and movement to prevent strain on the pelvic floor muscles.

Treatment also includes therapy for associated symptoms such as backache or incontinence.

These treatments may help to prevent worsening of the condition but will not cure the problem.

The physiotherapist will assess your condition through an interview and a physical examination.

Based on the findings, your physiotherapist will tailor therapy to suit your specific needs. The physiotherapist will review you on a monthly interval to monitor progress. You will be prescribed a home programme of pelvic floor exercises. You can stop treatment after you have achieved optimal results as determined by your physiotherapist.

Rehabilitation Department

The Rehabilitation Department offers a wide range of therapy services for both women and children. Our team of dedicated activity therapist, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language therapists strive to deliver high quality specialised services to all patients.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is the first line of treatment for some urogynaecological conditions like urinary and pelvic organ prolapses. Physiotherapy treatment is safe and non-invasive and it can be an option before surgery is considered. Patients are often referred to the physiotherapist by the gynaecologist or urogynaecologist.