Business Insight presented by AMITA Health POP Goes the Pelvis 3 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Pelvic Organ Prolapse What is pelvic organ prolapse (POP)? Director, AMITA Health Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Program. "There are discussions among clinicians about introducing standardized POP screening questionnaires at annual check- ups to aid women speak up" Researchers estimate that 509% of women develop pelvic organ prolapse and up to 70% of women experience urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine), which is often the first sign of POP. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the develop pelvic organ prolapse. It may take as long as 20 years for the impact to show itself. - Menopause and Aging The second main cause of POP is deliveries, constituted and even larger group reporting POP symptoms (19%) and AI (39.3%). It is a condition where one or more of the organs found in female pelvis: bladder, bowel, uterus, or top of the vagina slip out of place. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can be life-changing both physically and emotionally. Among physical symptoms of POP, women often report heaviness around the lower tummy and genitals; discomfort, pain or numbness during sex; a tugging discomfort inside the vagina; problems urinating - a feeling like the bladder is not emptying fully, needing to go to the toilet often, or leaking a small amount of urine while coughing, sneezing or exercising; feeling or seeing a bulge or lump in or coming out of the vagina or feeling like there's something coming down into the vagina - it feels like sitting on a small ball 3. Help Is Available "If you have been experiencing symptoms of POP, make sure to avoid things that menopause. The change in the levels of the two female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone lead to other changes in are known to aggravate the condition, the female body, including loss of muscle strength and elasticity, which also affects the pelvic floor muscles. Weakened and less elastic pelvic floor muscles offer less support to keep the pelvic floor organs in place. - Genetics According to data, women whose female blood relatives (mother or sister) have had POP, are more likely to develop pelvic organ prolapse. - Chronic constipation The prolonged and repeated straining associated with constipation can cause or worsen POP. Constipation is not normal and should be treated, first with lifestyle changes - a diet rich in fiber combined with exercise and drinking more water. If constipation persists, it might be time to see your primary care physician. - Chronic cough Every time you cough, your internal organs push down on other organs, and the organs in your pelvis can get pushed down the vaginal canal over time, causing or worsening POP. - Obesity BMI of 30 or more significantly increases for risk for POP. Losing weight and keeping it off can help prevent it or improve your symptoms - Some exercise Exercise such a repetitive heavy lifting, running and jumping may lead to POP. In the recent study published in the International Urogynecology Journal, the researchers found that a higher percent of female runners reported symptoms of POP (12.7%) and Al, anal incontinence (34.0%) than in females engaged in cross fit (POP - 7.8%, AI - 27.7%). Additionally, female runners who have had vaginal such as smoking, running, heavy lifting. staining, or being overweight," said Marko Jachtorowycz, MD, FACOG, FACS, urogynecologist and Medical Director, AMITA Health Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery Program. "Additionally, you may want to consider POP physical therapy. While physical therapy will not completely reverse pelvic organ prolapse, you may be able to significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms by performing pelvic floor muscle training, added Dr. Jachtorowycz. number of American women aged 60 and older will almost double between 2000 and 2030 - that means that the POP problem is going to be even more prevalent than before. 2. Control What You Can There are a few causes of POP, with childbirth and menopause considered the two main culprits: - Childbirth Researchers believe that difficult labor and vaginal delivery is one of the main causes of POP. Women who experience long stage 2 of labor (the "pushing stage"), have multiple births and deliver large birth- weight babies (8lbs plus) are more likely to In more advanced stages of POP, treatment options may include pessaries - silicone devices placed in the vagina for structural support. Pessaries need to be fitted to the specific shape of the individual anatomy. What else do you need to know about POP? 1. You Are Not Alone! "Women often feel too embarrassed to speak to their physician about their pelvic floor and intimacy issues, explained German Calonje, MD, urogynecologist and Medical When surgery becomes necessary, the urogynecology experts at AMITA Health offer a wide variety of treatments tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle goals, which include: 1. Minimally invasive surgical options, including advanced robotic surgery, which require no or only small incisions and significantly shortens recovery times (1-2 weeks vs 4-6 weeks after open surgery) 2. Urethral sling implants, as well as non- mesh surgical options 3. Uterine-preserving procedures Your pelvic medicine specialist will discuss the pros and cons of each option so that you feel empowered to make the best decision for you. Learn more at AMITAhealth.org/Women AMITA HEALTH ST. ALEXIUS MEDICAL CENTER Many of the physicians afmliated with AMITA Health are independent practitioners and members of the medical staf at one or more AMITA Health hospitals and are neither employees nor agents of the hospitals. As aresult, AMITA Health not responsible for the care provided by these physicians. HOFFMAN ESTATES Business Insight presented by AMITA Health POP Goes the Pelvis 3 Things Every Woman Needs to Know About Pelvic Organ Prolapse What is pelvic organ prolapse (POP)? Director, AMITA Health Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Program. "There are discussions among clinicians about introducing standardized POP screening questionnaires at annual check- ups to aid women speak up" Researchers estimate that 509% of women develop pelvic organ prolapse and up to 70% of women experience urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine), which is often the first sign of POP. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the develop pelvic organ prolapse. It may take as long as 20 years for the impact to show itself. - Menopause and Aging The second main cause of POP is deliveries, constituted and even larger group reporting POP symptoms (19%) and AI (39.3%). It is a condition where one or more of the organs found in female pelvis: bladder, bowel, uterus, or top of the vagina slip out of place. While the condition is not life-threatening, it can be life-changing both physically and emotionally. Among physical symptoms of POP, women often report heaviness around the lower tummy and genitals; discomfort, pain or numbness during sex; a tugging discomfort inside the vagina; problems urinating - a feeling like the bladder is not emptying fully, needing to go to the toilet often, or leaking a small amount of urine while coughing, sneezing or exercising; feeling or seeing a bulge or lump in or coming out of the vagina or feeling like there's something coming down into the vagina - it feels like sitting on a small ball 3. Help Is Available "If you have been experiencing symptoms of POP, make sure to avoid things that menopause. The change in the levels of the two female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone lead to other changes in are known to aggravate the condition, the female body, including loss of muscle strength and elasticity, which also affects the pelvic floor muscles. Weakened and less elastic pelvic floor muscles offer less support to keep the pelvic floor organs in place. - Genetics According to data, women whose female blood relatives (mother or sister) have had POP, are more likely to develop pelvic organ prolapse. - Chronic constipation The prolonged and repeated straining associated with constipation can cause or worsen POP. Constipation is not normal and should be treated, first with lifestyle changes - a diet rich in fiber combined with exercise and drinking more water. If constipation persists, it might be time to see your primary care physician. - Chronic cough Every time you cough, your internal organs push down on other organs, and the organs in your pelvis can get pushed down the vaginal canal over time, causing or worsening POP. - Obesity BMI of 30 or more significantly increases for risk for POP. Losing weight and keeping it off can help prevent it or improve your symptoms - Some exercise Exercise such a repetitive heavy lifting, running and jumping may lead to POP. In the recent study published in the International Urogynecology Journal, the researchers found that a higher percent of female runners reported symptoms of POP (12.7%) and Al, anal incontinence (34.0%) than in females engaged in cross fit (POP - 7.8%, AI - 27.7%). Additionally, female runners who have had vaginal such as smoking, running, heavy lifting. staining, or being overweight," said Marko Jachtorowycz, MD, FACOG, FACS, urogynecologist and Medical Director, AMITA Health Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery Program. "Additionally, you may want to consider POP physical therapy. While physical therapy will not completely reverse pelvic organ prolapse, you may be able to significantly reduce the severity of your symptoms by performing pelvic floor muscle training, added Dr. Jachtorowycz. number of American women aged 60 and older will almost double between 2000 and 2030 - that means that the POP problem is going to be even more prevalent than before. 2. Control What You Can There are a few causes of POP, with childbirth and menopause considered the two main culprits: - Childbirth Researchers believe that difficult labor and vaginal delivery is one of the main causes of POP. Women who experience long stage 2 of labor (the "pushing stage"), have multiple births and deliver large birth- weight babies (8lbs plus) are more likely to In more advanced stages of POP, treatment options may include pessaries - silicone devices placed in the vagina for structural support. Pessaries need to be fitted to the specific shape of the individual anatomy. What else do you need to know about POP? 1. You Are Not Alone! "Women often feel too embarrassed to speak to their physician about their pelvic floor and intimacy issues, explained German Calonje, MD, urogynecologist and Medical When surgery becomes necessary, the urogynecology experts at AMITA Health offer a wide variety of treatments tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle goals, which include: 1. Minimally invasive surgical options, including advanced robotic surgery, which require no or only small incisions and significantly shortens recovery times (1-2 weeks vs 4-6 weeks after open surgery) 2. Urethral sling implants, as well as non- mesh surgical options 3. Uterine-preserving procedures Your pelvic medicine specialist will discuss the pros and cons of each option so that you feel empowered to make the best decision for you. Learn more at AMITAhealth.org/Women AMITA HEALTH ST. ALEXIUS MEDICAL CENTER Many of the physicians afmliated with AMITA Health are independent practitioners and members of the medical staf at one or more AMITA Health hospitals and are neither employees nor agents of the hospitals. As aresult, AMITA Health not responsible for the care provided by these physicians. HOFFMAN ESTATES