Thirty million American women suffer from symptoms of vaginal relaxation and/or stress urinary incontinence. Many women have difficulty controlling their urine in certain situations or notice changes in their bowel habits. These two symptoms may be related to a common set of problems that result from childbirth, aging or both. Together, these problems are referred to as pelvic relaxation.
Many women suffer unnecessarily from conditions involving pelvic relaxation and vaginal relaxation. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment will often restore patients to a life free of the aggravations and discomforts associated with pelvic relaxation.
Dr. Mark Scheinberg, a vaginal surgeon with over 30 years of experience, diagnoses and treats pelvic relaxation, restoring both physical health and quality of life to his patients.
Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Pelvic Relaxation
The pelvic organs include the vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum. These organs are held in position by three types of supports: 1) muscles, 2) sheets of tissue called fascia, and 3) ligaments. When these supports become damaged, one or more of the pelvic organs may sag and, occasionally, even protrude outside the vagina. These are called pelvic support defects.
What Causes Vaginal Relaxation?
During childbirth, as the baby passes through the birth canal, the muscles, fascia, and ligaments separate and may weaken. This weakening gradually worsens and in later years, may cause the pelvic organs to drop from their normal positions. Occasionally, this weakening of the muscles and tissue may occur in women who have never had children. In these women, the cause may be:
- An inherited weakness of the supporting tissues
- The unusual strain placed on the supporting tissues by a chronic cough
- Unusual increases in abdominal pressure
- Obesity
Symptoms of Vaginal Relaxation
The symptoms associated with pelvic & vaginal relaxation depend on which organs are affected. Often, there is a feeling of heaviness or fullness. Small or moderate amounts of urine may be lost with normal physical activities, such as laughing, coughing, walking, or running. In more advanced and rarer cases, a mass may protrude from the vaginal opening.
Based on the organ or organs involved, pelvic support defects can be defined more specifically as:
- Cystocele – This occurs when the bladder falls or descends from its normal position. The most common symptom associated with cystocele is difficulty emptying the bladder, which can lead to bladder infections. Large cystoceles can cause the bladder to overfill and allow small amounts of urine to leak. Leakage is most common during physical activity, such as walking or bouts of coughing.
- Urethrocele– This most often occurs in conjunction with a cystocele (cystourethrocele). It too results in, among other things, involuntary loss of urine, particularly when there is increased pressure in the abdomen caused by walking, jumping, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or sudden movements.
- Rectocele – The rectum bulges into or out of the vagina. Rectoceles usually occur as a result of injuries sustained during childbirth. With a weakened or bulging rectum, bowel movements become more difficult.
- Enterocele – The small intestines bulge into the back wall of the vagina.
- Uterine prolapse – This occurs when the uterus falls or is otherwise displaced from its normal position. There are varying degrees of severity depending on the descent. This produces a general feeling of heaviness and fullness or a sense that the uterus is falling out.
Vaginal Relaxation Treatment
Dr. Scheinberg will conduct a thorough physical examination and discuss your history before diagnosing and recommending the appropriate treatment. He may perform additional tests, depending on the circumstances, including:
- “Q-tip” test
- Urodynamic studies – painless, 15-20 minute computerized bladder and urethra functional studies
- Urethrocystoscopy – an instrument used to evaluate the inside of the bladder and urethra
- X-rays of the urinary system
Dr. Scheinberg works with patients across Florida, including South Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. He also works with patients across the broader United States and world.
