- How is the surgery done
- Recovery from surgery for uterine prolapse
- Other forms of treatment of uterine prolapse
Surgery to treat uterine prolapse is usually indicated in cases where the woman is under 40 and intends to become pregnant or in more severe cases, when the uterus is completely outside the vagina and causes symptoms that prevent the woman from having her daily activities, such as discomfort in the vagina, pain during intimate contact, difficulty emptying the bladder and pain in the back, for example.
Uterine prolapse occurs when the muscles responsible for supporting the uterus weaken, causing the uterus to descend. This situation is more common in older women, however it can happen in women who have had several normal births, during pregnancy or before menopause, for example. Understand what uterine prolapse is and how to treat it.
How is the surgery done
The type of surgery for uterine prolapse varies according to the woman's age, general health, severity and desire to become pregnant. In the case of women who intend to become pregnant, the doctor chooses to repair the uterus by making a small cut in the lower belly area that allows reaching the pelvic organs, placing it in the correct place and placing prostheses, also called networks, that keeps the pelvic organs in place.
In the case of women who have no desire to become pregnant, the doctor may opt for complete removal of the uterus, also known as hysterectomy, preventing the prolapse from reoccurring. This type of procedure is done mainly when uterine prolapse is severe or when the woman is in menopause.
Recovery from surgery for uterine prolapse
Recovery from surgery to treat uterine prolapse varies according to the type of surgery, however, the average recovery time is approximately 6 weeks.
During this period, the woman should not have sexual intercourse and must rest, avoiding intense physical activities, which should only be initiated after the doctor's recommendation, which happens around 10 weeks.
In addition, during recovery the gynecologist will schedule several check-ups to assess healing, ensure that the uterus remains properly positioned and identify early signs of infection such as redness, swelling or severe pain in the genital region.
Other forms of treatment of uterine prolapse
In cases of prolapse where the uterus is not outside the vagina, treatment usually does not need to be done with surgery, including only:
- Kegel exercises, which help to strengthen the pelvic muscles that support the uterus, preventing its descent and relieving symptoms; Use of pessaries, which are small pieces, usually of plastic, that are inserted into the vagina, temporarily or definitely, to support the uterus in the correct place, preventing it from going down through the vaginal canal; Control of body weight, which must be done through a balanced diet and the practice of regular exercises to avoid excess weight that weakens the pelvic muscles, allowing the development of uterine prolapse.
In addition, it is also necessary to avoid situations that increase pressure inside the abdomen, such as picking up very heavy objects, coughing too hard or developing constipation, as they facilitate the development of uterine prolapse.
