Vaginal Prolapse - Frequently Asked Questions

If talking about vaginal prolapse with your doctor seems like an intimidating topic, take a look through these commonly asked questions and know you’re not alone in having tough questions, concerns, and hesitancies around this topic. You can also click here for a list of additional questions you may want to ask your doctor.

	Questions about Vaginal Prolapse and symptoms Questions about surgery/treatments Questions about surgical side effects

Questions about vaginal prolapse and symptoms

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• How serious is vaginal prolapse?

• Vaginal prolapse can dramatically impact a woman’s quality of life. For women that don’t seek treatment, they often must deal with painful and embarrassing symptoms like: Difficult or painful sexual intercourse Vaginal pain, pressure, irritation, bleeding, or spotting Urinary and fecal incontinence Difficulty with bowel movements

  
  

• Aren’t some of these symptoms just a normal part of what happens after childbirth? Is this really a condition?

• The strain on supporting muscles and ligaments during pregnancy and childbirth can naturally cause weakened muscles and ligaments. For some women, this is temporary and may heal. In others, the muscles may be damaged and don’t heal. Over time, this can lead to vaginal prolapse. But don’t resign yourself to believing that this condition is just a normal part of childbirth. Vaginal prolapse can be treated successfully, relieving women from its painful and embarrassing symptoms.

  
  

• When should I consider surgical options for vaginal prolapse?

• With your doctor’s diagnosis, you’ll need to assess your condition and make an informed choice. You should determine whether your vaginal prolapse symptoms are affecting your quality of life, whether conservative measures have failed, and whether your condition is impacting your health–physically and/or emotionally.

  
  

• If I don’t get treated for vaginal prolapse, will it get worse?

• Every woman’s body is different. But for most women, vaginal prolapse symptoms will not lessen over time, or heal on their own. This is why it’s important not to ignore symptoms, but to talk with a specialist. Remember, you don’t have to live with painful or embarrassing symptoms. There are treatment options that can make a real difference in your lifestyle.

  
  

Questions about surgery/treatments for vaginal prolapse

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• Is there some medication I can take for vaginal prolapse?

• There is currently no medication to treat vaginal prolapse. Because it is a condition of weakened supporting muscles in the pelvic area, treatments are focused around strengthening muscles and/or providing support to weakened muscles and prolapsed organs. If you think you have symptoms, try noting them in this condition diary–it can help your specialist make a diagnosis.

  
  

• So how can vaginal prolapse be treated?

• There are a number of treatment options for vaginal prolapse, ranging from simple pelvic exercises to surgery. That’s why it’s important to talk with a specialist who’s very familiar with this condition, and current on the latest treatments.

  
  

• What’s the right surgical option for me?

• Your specialist needs to understand and evaluate all aspects of your condition, and should recommend a treatment based on: Type and degree of prolapse Any issues related to your specific anatomy Your age and activity level Your sexual activity level

  
  

• I have a friend who had vaginal prolapse surgery a few years ago. She was in the hospital for an extended stay. Is this what I can expect?

• Traditional prolapse surgery is invasive, and may require an extended hospital stay and a longer recovery period. But be reassured that newer, more minimally invasive options are available, and may involve less pain and a shorter recovery time. Most often, women who undergo a minimally invasive surgical procedure can return home the very next day. These newer minimally invasive procedures may use mesh to correct the prolapse. The mesh is used to repair the prolapse and restore your anatomy. Vaginal prolapse surgery is not right for everyone, so be sure to discuss your concerns with your doctor—especially if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, suffer from blood coagulation disorders or have a compromised immune system.

  
  

• What if I plan to get pregnant? What are my treatment options?

• If you’re planning a pregnancy, it’s important to talk with your specialist to understand the risks and benefits of vaginal prolapse surgery. The stretching and strain that comes along with pregnancy and delivery can damage your supportive tissues, undoing the benefits of surgical procedures. In the meantime, your specialist may recommend other options, that will help you manage the condition.

  
  

• How painful is surgery for vaginal prolapse?

• Surgery can be painful, whether it’s invasive or minimally invasive, and both carry risks and complications. If your specialist recommends vaginal prolapse surgery, be sure you understand what type of surgery is planned, and what can happen during and after surgery. A more invasive vaginal prolapse surgery may include more risks, pain, and a longer recovery period. Minimally invasive vaginal prolapse surgery typically involves smaller incisions, so many women can expect much less discomfort following their procedure than they would with a traditional vaginal prolapse surgery. As with most surgical procedures, inflammation and irritation can occur. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor, who can prescribe medications to manage your discomfort.

  
  

• If I have surgery, will I be able to feel the mesh inside my body? Could it fall out?

• The mesh graft material used in vaginal prolapse surgery does not fall out. That is because your body’s tissues can grow into the porous mesh, anchoring it safely inside your body while also providing support. Because the mesh is also light, soft, and flexible, it’s uncommon to feel it after your procedure. However, there are different types of mesh, with different success rates. Complications like inflammation or infection can occur. Occasionally, the mesh can erode, or push through into other organs. In some cases the graft material used may be available in a synthetic or biologic mesh material, so be sure you discuss which options are best for your body with your specialist.

  
  

• What if I have both vaginal prolapse and incontinence symptoms? –Can I have both treated at one time?

• Quite often, the answer is yes. Vaginal prolapse surgery is often performed in conjunction with procedures to correct several pelvic area conditions. If you are experiencing bladder or bowel incontinence in conjunction with typical vaginal prolapse symptoms, it’s important to see a specialist for a diagnosis. In the meantime, click here to learn about urinary incontinence, and click here to learn about bowel incontinence.

  
  

• How much does vaginal prolapse surgery cost?

• Only your doctor can answer this question. However, you should know that vaginal prolapse surgery is covered by Medicare, as well as by most private insurance carriers. If you’d like to find a specialist who treats vaginal prolapse in your area, click here.

  
  

Questions about surgical side effects

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• How long is the typical recovery period for minimally invasive vaginal prolapse surgery? Will I be in the hospital?

• Depending on the procedure, women may be able to return home the day following their minimally invasive procedure—and return to work in one to two weeks. However, you may be advised to refrain from sexual intercourse, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise for six to eight weeks after surgery.

  
  

• Will having vaginal prolapse surgery affect my ability to have sex?

• On the contrary, vaginal prolapse surgery may eliminate painful sexual intercourse that some women experience when they suffer from this condition. However, you should refrain from sexual intercourse for six to eight weeks following your procedure to allow your body to heal.

  
  

• After surgery, will things feel different during sex?

• A successful vaginal prolapse surgery should restore your pelvic organs to their normal positions, eliminating the pain and discomfort during sex that can sometimes be associated with prolapse. After allowing your body to heal, you should enjoy the same intimate experiences you had before you began to suffer from symptoms of vaginal prolapse. In rare cases, some women do experience painful intercourse (dyspareunia) after the procedure.

  
  

• Will surgery in that part of my body cause incontinence or other problems that weren’t there before?

• Vaginal prolapse surgery does not cause incontinence. However, some women may begin to experience symptoms following their procedure because their condition was masked by vaginal prolapse. If this happens to you, it’s important to speak to your doctor about your symptoms.

  
  

• Does vaginal prolapse recur?

• Many women have successful vaginal prolapse surgery, although some women may encounter problems or complications resulting in the need for an additional prolapse surgery. It’s important to talk with your specialist about what kind of results, you can anticipate after the surgery–what’s normal for your body, what are some signs of possible complications, and what risk factors may affect your results. Scheduling regular appointments with a doctor who understands vaginal prolapse is an important way to be proactive about your health after surgery.

  
  

• What are some risks of this surgery?

• You should discuss the benefits and risks with your specialist, and don’t be hesitant to ask your specialist how many vaginal prolapse surgeries she or he has completed. As with all surgeries, vaginal prolapse procedures are not recommended for all patients. There may be complications, and they can vary depending on your medical history, and the type of prolapse procedure performed.