Q: What is meant by prolapse and how is it treated?

A: Prolapse involves loss of the normal support to the pelvic organs.  Prolapse can involve the bladder, uterus, top of the vagina or rectum.  It is common for more than one area to be involved.  Common symptoms include urinary incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying, lower back pain, discomfort with intercourse, pelvic/vaginal pressure, and difficulty evacuating stool.

Prolapse can only be treated with placement of a pessary or surgical correction.  A pessary is a temporary measure, used primarily in patients not considered to be good surgical candidates.

Surgical correction of prolapse can be accomplished either with suture or synthetic mesh.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each.  We encourage you to talk with your physician about the pros and cons of the different procedures/materials available to correct prolapse.  We also encourage you to read the FDA's advisory as it relates to vaginal mesh products.