Uterine Prolapse or Procidentia is the medical term used to describe the descent of the uterus into the lower part of the vagina. At times such a prolapse can be so profound that the cervix, which forms the lowest point of the uterus, can hang completely out of the body. Uterine Procidentia occurs when the ligaments in the abdominal wall that support the Uterus relax allowing the organ to sink in the body.
Uterine prolapse is more common in white women and in women who have given natural birth to many babies, given birth to exceptionally large babies, or who have had forcepts-assisted deliveries. It can often take many years for prolapse to occur after the aforementioned events. Sometimes women are predisposed to prolapse because of genetic abnormalities, such as a "tipped uterus." In the case of a tipped uterus, the uterus is in line with the vagina and can be pushed into the vagina by normal abdominal contractions (the piston effect.)
Risk factors for Uterine Prolapse include the following:
- multiple vaginal births
- giving birth to large babies (more than 9 pounds)
- difficult instrumented deliveries (forceps, vacuum)
- presence of a pelvic tumor
- diabetes
- obesity
- asthma
- chronic bronchitis
- pessary, a plastic doughnut-shaped device placed into the vagina to push up the uterus
- round ligament suspension procedure, an operation to provide muscle support to the uterus
- estrogen therapy given directly into the vagina with creams
- hysterectomy, or surgery to remove the uterus
1 on my "lethality scale" (1-10)
and a 6 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10)
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