Reproductive Health - Pelvic Organ Prolapse exam
1. What is pelvic organ prolapse?: - conditions in which pelvic organs have lost their support and may
descend through the urogenital hiatus
2. What are RFs for pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?: - childbirth
- increasing age
- chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure (elevated BMI, chronic constipation with straining, pregnancy, chronic
coughing)
- connective tissue disorders
- history of surgery (hysterectomy or prior surgery for prolapse)
3. What are symptoms of POP?: - seeing and/or feeling bulge from vagina (mass sensation)
- vaginal pressure or heaviness
- abdominal, low back, vaginal, or perineal discomfort
- urinary incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying
- defecatory dysfunction
- diflculty walking, lifting, or straining
- diflculty with sexual relations
- anxiety or fear related to the condition
4. What are PE signs of POP?: - cervical hypertrophy
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, - vaginal wall irritation
- excoriation
- ulceration
- possibly bleeding
5. What are the pelvic organs supported by?: - levator muscles
- connective tissue
- uterosacral and cardinal ligaments
6. What can POP be caused by?: Compromise of supportive muscles, tissue, or ligaments through:
- birth trauma
- chronic elevations of intra-abdominal pressure
- intrinsic tissue weakening
- atrophic changes caused by aging or estrogen loss
7. What is anterior vaginal compartment prolapse known as?: - urethrocele or cystocele
8. What is posterior vaginal compartment prolapse known as?: - rectocele
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1. What is pelvic organ prolapse?: - conditions in which pelvic organs have lost their support and may
descend through the urogenital hiatus
2. What are RFs for pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?: - childbirth
- increasing age
- chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure (elevated BMI, chronic constipation with straining, pregnancy, chronic
coughing)
- connective tissue disorders
- history of surgery (hysterectomy or prior surgery for prolapse)
3. What are symptoms of POP?: - seeing and/or feeling bulge from vagina (mass sensation)
- vaginal pressure or heaviness
- abdominal, low back, vaginal, or perineal discomfort
- urinary incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying
- defecatory dysfunction
- diflculty walking, lifting, or straining
- diflculty with sexual relations
- anxiety or fear related to the condition
4. What are PE signs of POP?: - cervical hypertrophy
1/3
, - vaginal wall irritation
- excoriation
- ulceration
- possibly bleeding
5. What are the pelvic organs supported by?: - levator muscles
- connective tissue
- uterosacral and cardinal ligaments
6. What can POP be caused by?: Compromise of supportive muscles, tissue, or ligaments through:
- birth trauma
- chronic elevations of intra-abdominal pressure
- intrinsic tissue weakening
- atrophic changes caused by aging or estrogen loss
7. What is anterior vaginal compartment prolapse known as?: - urethrocele or cystocele
8. What is posterior vaginal compartment prolapse known as?: - rectocele
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