- Bowel Management and Dietary Education - If present, the underlying problems are corrected. If a medical illness, such as inflammation of the bowel, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome, is causing the accidental bowel leakage, medication may be prescribed. Diarrhea and constipation are treated with dietary changes, usually emphasizing a high-fiber diet. If accidental bowel leakage continues despite these changes, the treatment depends on the cause.
- Biofeedback Therapy - (Pelvic Floor Muscle retraining) – can treat accidental bowel leakage and urinary incontinence as well as constipation caused by non-relaxation of the pelvic floor. Sensors are used while a nurse or Physical Therapist coaches the patient to correctly exercise and relax the pelvic floor muscles.
- Interstim (Sacral Nerve Stimulation) for Accidental Bowel Leakage
- PNE (Peripheral Nerve Evaluation) - Determines whether sacral nerve stimulation for the control of accidental bowel leakage or lower urinary tract dysfunction is appropriate for a given patient. A temporary device is used and, if successful, surgery to implant a permanent device would be the next option.
- Bowel Management and Dietary Education - If present, the underlying problems are corrected. If a medical illness, such as inflammation of the bowel, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome, is causing the constipation, medication may be prescribed. Slow transit constipation is often treated with dietary changes, usually emphasizing a high-fiber diet as well as laxatives as needed. This is often done with the help of your primary care provider or gastroenterology team. Patients often benefit from nutritional counseling services as well.
- Biofeedback Therapy - (Pelvic Floor Muscle retraining) – can treat constipation caused by non-relaxation of the pelvic floor. Sensors are used while a nurse or Physical Therapist coaches the patient to correctly exercise and relax the pelvic floor muscles. Balloon expulsion training is another technique that can treat pelvic floor muscular dysfunction and help with evacuation of stool.
Both non-surgical and surgical options are offered for treatment of POP. The severity of prolapse and which organs are most affected by POP will determine which treatment option is best.
Non-surgical treatment options for POP include
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: A type of exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor by contracting and relaxing the muscles that surround the opening of the urethra, vagina, and rectum. The exercises are commonly referred to as Kegels.
- Biofeedback Therapy: A type of therapy that helps to retrain the pelvic floor muscles how to effectively squeeze and push. This helps to improve feelings of urgency and/or evacuation of bowel movements.
- Pessary: A removable device that is inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organ(s) that have prolapsed.
Surgical treatment options for POP are aimed at improving the support of the pelvic organs and include
- Sacrocolpopexy: Mesh is used to restore support to the vagina.
- Robotic Ventral Rectopexy: Mesh or sutures are used to restore support to the rectum and improve symptoms of leakage or constipation caused by prolapse.
- Bladder sling: Mesh is used to support the bladder and improve control and evacuation of urine.
The symptoms of POP can vary greatly amongst individuals and there are multiple surgical and non-surgical treatment options available. Due to the variety of treatment options, it is not possible to review each of these here. Consultation with a Pelvic Floor Specialist is helpful to determine the most appropriate evaluation and treatment for each individual patient.
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New patients must complete the necessary paperwork prior to their first visit using the online patient portal. If the paperwork delays your appointment start time, your appointment might be canceled at the discretion of the provider.
If a patient arrives past their scheduled time and/or do not have their paperwork completed, their appointment might be canceled at the discretion of the provider. This is to ensure that the patients who arrive on time do not experience delayed waits to see their provider. If you arrive late, you may be asked to reschedule. If you choose to wait, we will try to minimize your wait time as best as possible, however we need to provide timely care to our other patients as well.