How to judge uterine prolapse and what to do

Uterine prolapse refers to a disease in which the uterus moves downward or even protrudes out of the vagina due to the weakened support of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. If you suspect that you have uterine prolapse, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis. The doctor may make a clear diagnosis through interviews, examinations and auxiliary examinations, and choose an appropriate treatment plan based on the degree of prolapse, including conservative treatment, drug treatment or surgical treatment when necessary.

1. How to determine whether you have uterine prolapse

Typical symptoms of uterine prolapse include a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, difficulty urinating or incontinence, pain during intercourse, and lumbar pain. In severe cases, foreign bodies may even come out of the vagina. You can make a preliminary diagnosis by the following methods:

-Self-examination: After washing your hands, you can feel the vagina to see if there is any abnormal phenomenon of hard objects coming out.

-Symptom record: Carefully recall whether there are symptoms such as frequent or strained urination, difficulty in defecation, and foreign body sensation in the vagina.

If you have similar symptoms, you should go to a specialized hospital and undergo a gynecological examination (such as colposcopy or dynamic MRI) to confirm the specific situation and further evaluate the extent of prolapse.

2. Possible causes of uterine prolapse

-Genetic factors: People with weaker pelvic floor tissue may be more susceptible, especially if there is a family history of the disease, which increases the risk index.

-Environmental factors: Frequent physical labor, long-term constipation, and chronic cough (such as caused by smoking or asthma) can lead to increased abdominal pressure, thus inducing prolapse.

- Physiological factors: Multiple pregnancies and childbirths, poor postpartum recovery, and decreased estrogen levels in menopausal women, which lead to pelvic floor tissue degeneration, are all common causes.

- Traumatic and pathological factors: Tearing during childbirth, pelvic floor muscle injury or pelvic surgery may directly damage the supporting structures; pelvic tumors or long-term uncorrected uterine malposition may also induce prolapse.

3. What to do if uterine prolapse

Depending on the extent of the prolapse and the severity of the symptoms, the following treatment options may be available:

1) Conservative treatment:

Patients with mild uterine prolapse (grade I to early stage II) can usually try nonsurgical methods first:

-Kegel exercises: By consciously contracting the pelvic floor muscles, you can enhance support strength. Do 3 sets a day, 10-15 times each set.

-Pelvic floor rehabilitation equipment: The hospital provides pelvic floor electrical stimulation therapy, which can help restore the elasticity of pelvic floor tissue.

-Drug assistance: Estrogen creams (such as estradiol valerate cream) can improve the tension of vaginal tissue and supporting ligaments, which is particularly suitable for menopausal women.

2) Pessary device:

For patients with moderate prolapse who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery, they can choose to use a pessary device (silicone ring or ring-shaped pessary) under the guidance of a doctor to return the prolapsed uterus to its normal position. This requires regular cleaning or replacement of the pessary ring to control the risk of infection.

3) Surgical treatment:

Suitable for patients with severe prolapse (grade III and above), there are several ways:

-Sacropexy: laparoscopic repositioning and support of the uterus to restore normal anatomy.

-Vaginal surgery: represented by pelvic floor reconstruction, which improves the position of the uterus by repairing the vaginal wall and ligaments.

-Hysterectomy: For patients with a high risk of recurrence or severe prolapse and no desire to have children, surgical removal of the uterus combined with pelvic floor repair can be considered.

4. Daily care and prevention

Daily management is equally important with or without treatment. Avoid coughing or excessive lifting, maintain a healthy weight, and eat more foods rich in dietary fiber (such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables) to prevent constipation. Regular pelvic floor muscle exercises and gynecological examinations can help detect early problems and intervene in time.

If you suspect you have uterine prolapse, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the direction of treatment. Through appropriate conservative or surgical intervention, most patients can restore their quality of life. Maintaining good living habits is the key to preventing and managing uterine prolapse.