What IS Uterine Prolapse? Uterine prolapse occurs when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken and no longer provide enough support for the uterus. As a result, the uterus slips down into or protrudes out of the vagina. Sometimes due to pregnancy, childbirth or difficult labor and delivery, in some women (not all) these muscles weaken. Also, as a woman ages and with a natural loss of the hormone estrogen, her uterus can drop into the vaginal canal, causing the condition known as a prolapsed uterus.
If these muscles or ligaments stretch or become weak, they’re no longer able to support the uterus, causing prolapse: sagging or slipping from its normal position and into the vagina, or birth canal.
Here’s the good news:
- Uterine Prolapse can be reversed
- Diet and exercise can help! Eating plenty of cold water fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids such as mackerel and salmon helps reduce the secretion of prostaglandin – a hormone-like substance that can make the uterus contract too hard, causing pain and increasing the chances of a mispositioning of the uterus. How do you exercise your uterus? Have you ever heard of Kegel exercises? Try this: Tighten your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds. Try it four or five times in a row. Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.
- Corrective Surgery is available – if you want to learn more about prolapse surgery, contact our office.
