Pelvic organ prolapse, or POP, occurs when organs droop or descend downwards. Prolapsed organs can include the small bowel, uterus, bladder, vagina and rectum. POP happens for a variety of reasons, including:
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- Obesity
- Pregnancy, labor and childbirth
- Constipation
- Respiratory problems with a chronic cough
- Hysterectomy
- Pelvic organ cancer
According to Magdalene Karon for Kentucky.com, women who’ve birthed multiple children or larger newborns commonly experience POP. Of course, genetics plays a part, too. Aging also increases a woman’s likelihood of suffering a pelvic floor disorder like prolapse.
The Role Age Plays in Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The American Urogynecologic Society (AUS) said nearly half of all women aged 50-79 will suffer some form of prolapse. Within that patient population, around 11% will have corrective surgery. Doctors perform approximately 300,000 POP procedures in the U.S. each year. Moreover, a third will need repeated POP surgeries, according to the AUS.
Karon noted that increasing abdominal pressure can eventually lead to POP. Symptoms often include lower back pain, pelvic area pressure, spotting or bleeding, constipation and painful intercourse. Depending on how far the organ falls downward, symptoms can be either more or less severe. Women with bladder prolapse may experience urine leakage or incontinence.
In some cases, doctors surgically implant transvaginal mesh for this issue. They can place the mesh device through the abdomen as well as the vagina.
Transvaginal Mesh Injuries Trigger a Wave of Product Liability Lawsuits
However, it’s important to realize that transvaginal mesh has caused serious controversy because of the dangerous and possibly life-threatening side effects. The Food and Drug Administration said these complications include vaginal mesh erosion, pain, infection, bleeding, urinary problems and organ perforation. Because of these, there are countless lawsuits filed for women who’ve suffered these complications, and any woman who has experienced the negative side effects of transvaginal mesh should contact a lawyer. To get started, fill out your free TVM claim review form today.