"Pelvic organ prolapse isn't a life-threatening
condition, but it can be very
difficult to live with," says urologist
Edward Becker, MD. "It can affect
women's everyday lives and limit their
normal physical and sexual activities."
According to Dr. Becker, as many as half
of all women who have given birth have
some degree of prolapse. Women at
greatest risk include those who have had
many children, given birth vaginally,
undergone a hysterectomy, are obese or
simply any woman older than 50.
Some women with mild symptoms
improve with nonsurgical treatments,
such as Kegel exercises that help
strengthen the pelvic muscles and
pessary devices that are inserted in the
vagina to support the pelvic area.
For women with moderate to severe
symptoms, the most common treatment
in the past was a
surgical procedure that
involved repositioning
the affected organs and
suturing the pelvic floor
closed. However, this
treatment wasn't always
effective, especially in
women with very weak
pelvic floor muscles,
some of whom have
suffered recurrent
prolapses and required
additional procedures.
Fortunately, women
in south Florida have a
new option. Dr. Becker
now performs a very
effective procedure
using the GYNECARE
PROLIFT Pelvic Floor
System. During
PROLIFT, Dr. Becker
repositions the
prolapsed organs and
places a mesh netting on
the pelvic floor. Over
time, the tissue grows
through the mesh, which
helps strengthen and
support the pelvic floor.
"This is a very low-risk
procedure that helps relieve
women's symptoms and reduce their risk
for recurrence without affecting their
ability to conceive," Dr. Becker
says. "Most women find that
their symptoms diminish
immediately and are gone
completely within six
to eight weeks. The
improvement in quality
of life is remarkable."
Talk with your doctor
if you have any symptoms
of pelvic organ prolapse,
including pain or pressure
in the pelvic area or lower
back; urinary symptoms, such as
difficulty emptying the bladder or stress
incontinence (leaking urine when
laughing, coughing, etc.); constipation
or other bowel problems; or pain during
intercourse.
Please join us
for Dr. Becker's lecture
What's Happening Down There?
New Treatment Targets Common Pelvic Condition
Do you suffer from pelvic pain or
urinary incontinence? If so, you
may have pelvic organ prolapse,
a condition that occurs when the
muscles and tissues that hold the pelvic
organs in place begin to weaken. As a
result, the pelvic organs, such as the
uterus, bladder and rectum, may move
out of place and press against the
vaginal walls or even protrude into
the vagina.
Edward Becker, MD,
is a partner of
Palm Beach Urology
along with Drs. Lopez
and Portela with offices
in Loxahatchee,
Lake Worth, Belle Glade
and Clewiston. For an
appointment, please call 
"What's Happening
Down There?
Treatment for Pelvic Organ
Prolapse and Stress Incontinence"
Wednesday, June 18
6:30 PM
Jewish Community Center,
Boynton Beach
Call
 |
Wellington Regional Medical Center, 10101 Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-8500 |
