Pelvic Floor Reconstruction

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is characterized by the abnormal descent or herniation of pelvic organs. Forty percent of women aged 40 to 79 are affected by pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which weak pelvic floor muscles cause the pelvic organs to fall out of place. By age 80, more than one out of every 10 women will have undergone surgery for prolapse or urinary incontinence. Pelvic organ prolapse can affect a woman's daily life, limiting physical activity and sexual intimacy. Each year approximately 200,000 inpatient procedures are performed in the US to correct POP.

How is prolapse treated?

Although pelvic organ prolapse can be reduced with a pessary, permanent repair requires surgery. Depending on the degree and type of the prolapse the surgical approaches can vary. Use of mesh in certain repairs may bring more long-lasting results and the surgeries can be performed in a minimally invasive manner.

What are the risks?

All surgical procedures present risks. Complications include injury to blood vessels or nerves of the pelvis, difficulty urinating, pain, scarring, bladder and bowel injury. There is also a risk of the mesh material becoming exposed into the vaginal canal. Mesh exposure can be associated with pain during intercourse for the patient and the partner. Exposure may require treatment such as vaginal medication or removal of the exposed mesh.

Talk to Dr. Elterman about your condition and treatment plan.

For more information and to make an appointment with Dr. Lev Elterman call 847 410-8416 or 312 635-4500