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Pelvic organ prolapse is a frequently overlooked condition occurring commonly among women of all ages. A brief overview of pelvic organ prolapse and a discussion of the Colpexin(TM) Sphere is provided. The Colpexin Sphere is a new intravaginal device that facilitates the performance of pelvic floor muscle exercises thereby enhancing the benefit provided by already established conservative therapy.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may be thought of as a silent disease. The silence is not due to lack of signs or symptoms but to the silence of women who suffer with urinary or rectal symptoms, pain, and discomfort. Women may be too embarrassed to talk to their doctor and other health care professionals who all too often fail to ask women about these symptoms.
A brief overview of the etiology, incidence, manifestations, and treatment options of POP will be provided. The rest of the article will focus on a detailed description of the newest available conservative management option, the Colpexin(TM) Sphere. When used in conjunction with pelvic floor muscle exercises, this intravaginal device can improve both pelvic floor muscle strength/function and urinary continence status in women with advanced genital prolapse.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that can occur anytime during the female lifespan. Described as a "protrusion of pelvic organ(s) into or out of the vaginal canal," POP is caused by denervation of pelvic floor muscles and/or disruption of endopelvic fascia or a break or weakness anywhere in the pubocervical or rectovaginal fascia (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG], 1995). The pelvic floor musculature has been compared to a trampoline connected to the framework of the pelvic bones. The musculature supports and holds the pelvic organs (bladder, intestine, uterus, and vagina) in place. When the musculature becomes weakened or breaks, the pelvic organs may "fall" or protrude through the musculature.
As shown in Table 1, there are five types of genital prolapse relating to the specific organ(s) involved (Marinkovic & Stanton, 2004). Herniation of the bladder, rectum, or peritoneal contents into the vaginal lumen may result in cystocele, rectocele, or enterocele, respectively. Eversion of the vagina may occur with either vaginal vault prolapse or uterine prolapse. It is common for women to present with more than one type of...