Subscribe
Uterine prolapse
Is uterine prolapse a common gynecological disease?
Uterine prolapse makes it easier to contract gynecological diseases. If the prolapsed uterus is close to the vaginal opening, various bacteria from the vulva can easily cause retrograde infections. In cases of third-degree prolapse, where the uterus protrudes outside the vaginal opening, various bacteria can directly invade the cervix and uterine body, leading to irregular bleeding and exacerbated vaginal inflammation. In severe cases, it significantly impacts daily life. Therefore, mild uterine prolapse generally does not pose a significant problem, but moderate and severe uterine prolapse can easily lead to vaginal and cervical inflammation. Bleeding caused by friction on the cervical surface may occur, and it is necessary to actively provide symptomatic treatment at this time. If the patient is relatively young and wishes to preserve the uterus, a uterine ligament suspension surgery can be performed to alleviate the condition of the prolapsed uterus.
Uterine prolapse may affect sexual life.
When uterine prolapse occurs in women, it can potentially affect the quality of normal sexual life. Firstly, uterine prolapse in women leads to relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, and some individuals may also experience relaxation of the vaginal wall. During intercourse, because of the relaxed vaginal wall, it may not fully encompass the male genitalia, causing a decline in the quality of sexual life. Furthermore, in some women, uterine prolapse and relaxation of the vaginal wall do not completely close off the vaginal walls. This can lead to recurrent vaginal inflammation, or part of the uterine body protruding outside the vagina, rubbing against underwear causing ulcerative infections, leading to abnormal secretions and unpleasant odors. This can also affect the male's sense of smell, leading to discomfort and thus impacting the quality of sexual life.
What to do if there is uterine prolapse during menstruation?
When a woman has uterine prolapse, it does not affect her normal menstrual cycle. During menstruation, women can also experience pelvic congestion, which can exacerbate the feeling of heaviness and pain in the lower abdomen. Therefore, it is important to avoid exertion during this time to prevent worsening abdominal symptoms. Furthermore, during menstruation, it is important to maintain perineal cleanliness. Sanitary pads or liners should be changed every 1-2 hours. The external genital area can be cleaned daily with topical cleansers to prevent infections. Additionally, consuming fruits or vegetables that can enhance the immune system, such as oranges, bananas, or fungal foods like king oyster mushrooms, is also advisable.
How to exercise with uterine prolapse
Women with mild to moderate uterine prolapse can improve their condition through pelvic floor exercises, such as anal contraction exercises. When performing these exercises, it is important to progress from easy to difficult. For example, you can start by performing anal contraction exercises lying down, where the pelvic floor muscles are not bearing any weight. Once proficient in this position, you can then perform the exercises while sitting, standing, or even walking. The specific method involves contracting the anus, holding for three seconds, and then repeating this action 30 times per set. Depending on your physical condition, perform two to three sets daily. Generally, noticeable improvements can be expected after six to eight weeks.
Can mild uterine prolapse heal by itself?
Mild uterine prolapse generally involves a period of observation, as there are no specific treatments available at this stage. For mild prolapse, supports such as a pessary or oral administration of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan can be used for symptomatic treatment. It is important to rest, avoid overexertion, prolonged standing, or heavy physical labor, and prevent constipation by getting plenty of rest. Observation is sufficient if there is no further progression. In cases of moderate or severe prolapse, treatment should be tailored to the situation. Moderate prolapse can generally be addressed with ligament suspension surgery. In cases of severe prolapse, where the uterus completely prolapses out of the vaginal opening, suspension surgery or a vaginal hysterectomy may be options. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)
Postoperative sequelae of uterine prolapse surgery
After undergoing a hysterectomy for uterine prolapse, the patient will be missing an organ, as the uterus is removed, and possibly the cervix as well, and part of the vagina may also be removed. Therefore, patients who have had this surgery may experience some difficulties during sexual activity. It is advised that such patients should rest more and avoid vigorous sexual activity. Additionally, after the removal of the uterus due to uterine prolapse, the patient will no longer menstruate and will not have reproductive capabilities. Therefore, it is suggested that patients consider carefully the postoperative conditions before undergoing the surgery.
What causes uterine prolapse?
The most common cause of uterine prolapse is childbirth injury. It occurs during childbirth, especially in vaginal surgeries, assisted deliveries, or prolonged second stages of labor, where the pelvic floor muscles and fascia are damaged. Additionally, if a woman engages in physical labor too soon during the postpartum period, or uses an abdominal binder prematurely, it can also lead to uterine prolapse. The second scenario involves a long-term increase in abdominal pressure, which might be due to chronic coughing or difficulty in bowel movements, causing a sustained increase in abdominal pressure and pushing the uterus downward. The third case is due to poor developmental tissue in the pelvis or degenerative changes leading to uterine prolapse.
How to exercise for uterine prolapse
When women suffer from mild to moderate uterine prolapse, they can improve their condition through certain exercises. This method of exercise is called Kegel exercises. The specific way to do it is to contract the anus for 3 seconds, then relax, and repeat this action 25 to 30 times as one set. Depending on one's physical condition, 2 to 3 sets can be done each day. The principle of this exercise is to progress from simple to complex, and from doing Kegel exercises without any additional weight to doing them with added weight. How should this be understood? Some women perform Kegel exercises while standing, and due to the influence of gravity, there is certain pressure inside the abdominal cavity, making it difficult for them to grasp how to perform the exercise properly. In such cases, it can be helpful to lie down and perform Kegel exercises, as the pelvic floor muscles can then function well without any weight. Afterwards, they can progress to sitting, standing, and even walking while doing these exercises.
Uterine prolapse bleeding, what's going on?
Uterine prolapse and vaginal bleeding typically occur due to infections related to the prolapse. Bleeding can also stem from precancerous lesions of the cervix, cervical inflammation, and other issues. Some cases involve bleeding from within the uterine cavity, which necessitates diagnostic examinations. Firstly, an examination of secretions is required, followed by an examination of the cervix to check for precancerous changes, cervical polyps, or severe cervical inflammation. Other potential causes include inflammation of the uterus, polyps of the endometrium, complications from intrauterine devices, or abnormal proliferation of the endometrium, among others.
Can uterine prolapse be cured?
Uterine prolapse in women is treatable. Depending on the severity of the prolapse, different treatment methods are applied. For example, women with mild to moderate uterine prolapse can adopt conservative treatment methods such as pelvic floor exercises. The specific method involves contracting the anus for 3 seconds, then relaxing, and repeating this action. Do 30 repetitions per set, and based on personal physical condition, 2-3 sets can be performed daily. This can be complemented with acupoint massage or by taking traditional Chinese medicine orally to help replenish qi and blood. In cases of severe uterine prolapse, surgery is often necessary and can yield very good treatment outcomes. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)