Complaints associated with prolapse

When the pelvic floor does not function properly, pressure and weight of the abdomen on the pelvic floor can cause a prolapse (prolapse) of one or more organs (bladder, vagina, uterus or rectum). Watch a video, Bergman Clinics and Gelre Hospital.

Abdominal and uterine support occurs at two levels:

✓ Upper level: a fascial connective tissue at the level of transition colon/endgut + cervix/ uterus;

✓ Lower level: the pelvic floor muscle combined with fascial structures along rectum and vagina up to upper level.

Rupture in upper-level connections leads to weakening in load-bearing capacity, eventually leading to prolapse.

Because the organs in the lower abdomen are close to each other, they affect each other. Often there is a prolapse of several organs.

Therefore, the symptoms that arise may involve multiple organs. Examples include: loss of urine, inability to urinate properly, pain during urination, loss of stool or wind, constipation, a heavy feeling in the lower abdomen and pain during intercourse.

Depending on the symptoms and severity of prolapse, surgery may be the recommendation. Consider restoration of upper bearing level.

Pelvic role

Because of its shape, the pelvis supports the abdominal (intestines) and small pelvic organs (uterus, bladder and rectum).

The pelvic floor muscles and associated nerves allow you to close the bladder, bowel and vulva whenever you want. Relaxing the pelvic floor muscles allows you to urinate, defecate or have intercourse.

Treatment of prolapse

Nowadays, a pelvic floor mat is often placed between the pelvic organs to strengthen the lower abdomen by creating its own scar tissue around the mat, thus preventing further sagging and prolapse. In practice, this form of treatment can lead to chronic complaints, such as pain, due to the undesired formation of scar tissue and attachment. Therefore, it is advised to perform this form of treatment with restraint.

If you undergo surgery, the gynecologist will, if necessary, refer you to a pelvic physical therapist. You can then begin exercising the pelvic floor muscles so that these muscles will provide optimal support for the organs in the lower abdomen after surgery.

In the first six weeks after surgery, you will practice relaxation and awareness of the pelvic floor muscles at home: feeling the pelvic floor move. The advice is to take a moment of rest two to three times a day and use this time to practice.

You will also be given relaxation exercises and pelvic floor muscle exercises. The relaxation exercises with breathing support play an important role in your recovery, as they promote blood flow in the pelvis.

Use of the Pelvictrainer®

The Pelvictrainer® registers externally the degree of activity in your pelvic floor muscle and shows this in the form of a signal on a screen (bio feedback). You sit on the chair with your clothes on.

Experience the Pelvictrainer®

If you are still at a stage where strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can lead to recovery or reduction of prolapse, you can perform pelvic floor training.

The Pelvictrainer® is an adequate device for this purpose because you can immediately see your tightening and relaxation of your pelvic floor muscles externally via bio-feedback. The Pelvictrainer also offers a good way of rehabilitation after surgery with a pelvic floor mat.

Treatment schedule

If there is pain and tension in the lower abdomen as a result of surgery, then training can be done on daring to allow relaxation in the lower abdomen and pelvic floor muscles. In Basic training, the intensity is set low and the duration of relaxation as maximum as possible. Example:

After pain has subsided and mobility has regained, strength training can be switched to endurance training. With endurance strength training, the pelvic floor muscle is tensed for a long time at a low effort (as a rule, 30% of the maximum measured achievable effort). Should you have difficulty relaxing, the time duration for relaxing is increased.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to diagnose health problems or prescribe treatment or products, download the Disclaimer file for further provisions.

What can I do?

If you are interested in non-internal pelvic exercise with biofeedback, ask your fitness practitioner or (pelvic) physical therapist for use of the Pelvictrainer®.

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