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PREVENTION OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
There are a number
of things that you can do to reduce your risk of prolapse or help prevent a mild
prolapse from getting worse.
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Pelvic Floor Exercises, also called Kegel exercises,
are one of the most effective ways to strengthen the muscles of your pelvic
floor. Stronger muscles will reduce your risk of prolapse and urinary
incontinence.
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Eat
a diet high in fiber to help prevent
constipation and reduce straining when having a
bowel movement.
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Try
to keep your weight under control. Excess pounds will place additional
pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and increase the chances of pelvic organ
prolapse as your muscles age.
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Stop smoking. A smoker’s cough places chronic strain on the pelvic floor
muscles. Smoking may also weaken the ligaments supporting the pelvic floor or
limit the effects of estrogen on pelvic floor tissues.
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Don’t chronically lift heavy objects. If your job requires chronic lifting of
heavy objects, consider other positions within your company that do not
require such activities. This is especially important for preventing
recurrences of pelvic organ prolapse after successful reconstructive pelvic
surgery. Remember, McDonalds is not the kind of place to be returning after
successful heart bypass surgery.
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Consider whether your children or grandchildren over 30-40 pounds really need
to be picked up as much, especially when lifting them may compromise your
pelvic floor.
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If
you are post-menopausal, your physician may recommend hormone replacement,
either in the form of a pill, a patch, vaginal cream or vaginal tablet. Some
physicians believe that local hormone therapy (in the vagina) may strengthen
the tissues of the vagina.
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Choose alternative options other than hysterectomy for treatment of abnormal
uterine bleeding or pain.
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