Traditional medicine recommends removal of the uterus, or a hysterectomy, when there is uterine prolapse. Doctors Miklos and Moore realize it is a woman’s right to make decisions about her uterus and ovaries and will do everything possible to respect the rights and wishes of the woman with respect to her uterus and ovaries. Uterine suspension, or Hysteropexy, is now an option for women wishing to maintain or keep their uterus and avoid having a hysterectomy. The procedure has been shown to be an effective option for the treatment of uterine prolapse.

The laparoscopic hysteropexy may be completed with the patient’s own ligaments (round and uterosacral ligaments). It is a minimally invasive procedure and is considered an outpatient surgery.

The prolapse is a collapse of the uterus, or womb, and/or vaginal walls away from their normal positions inside the body. Prolapse occurs over a period of time, to varying degrees, and is usually caused by damage to the supporting muscles of the pelvic floor during childbirth. Being overweight, heavy lifting, chronic constipation, and a lack of hormones after the onset of menopause can produce further weakening of these muscles, causing a prolapse. Many women will have a prolapse of some degree after childbirth; it is not unusual and unless you have symptoms you may not need to seek treatment.

There are different levels of prolapse. In general, the symptoms can include:

  • A “dragging” feeling, or lump down below and a feeling of “fullness”
  • Backache
  • Constipation or straining to open the bowels, and a feeling of not having emptied them properly
  • Discomfort or pain during intercourse

There are many benefits of a hysteropexy procedure. It preserves the anatomy of the vagina, suspending the uterus back in its normal position by reinforcing weakened ligaments. It is a minimally invasive procedure, with limited disruption to the surrounding organs such as the bowel and bladder, has a short operation time, and quick recovery afterwards. Many women choose to move forward with a hysteropexy because it enables them to keep their uterus. In younger women, this may be influenced by a general desire to feel young, intact, and fertile. Many women express relief when they learn that the uterus can be preserved, as in most cases they had assumed that having a hysterectomy was the only option.

For women wishing to have further children, an advantage of preserving the uterus can include preserving fertility. That being said, the uterus and cervix may have an important role in sexual function. Sexual well-being may decrease after a hysterectomy, due to damage to the nerves and supportive structures of the pelvic floor. In some women, removal of the uterus may even influence sexual and personal identity.

Although laparoscopic hysteropexy is a relatively new procedure, initial results have indicated that it is at least as effective as the standard vaginal hysterectomy in curing uterine prolapse. At the same time, it offers the prospect of a more favorable outcome for sexual function of the vagina.

Be sure to plan ahead before your procedure. You’re going to need some extra help at home for the next two weeks, so keep your family aware. If you smoke, try to stop completely, because this will reduce any risk of complications afterwards, and also speed up recovery time. You shouldn’t drive for about four weeks after the procedure, and check in during your follow up appointment.

You may have some questions about how you’ll be feeling after the operation. Generally, most people experience some pain or discomfort for the first few days. After the operation, you may have some vaginal bleeding, and you will need to wear a sanitary pad. It’s advised not to use tampons. Keep in mind that if you had vaginal repair as well as a hysteropexy, you will have vaginal stitches, which are dissolvable. If you need to cough, your stitches won’t come undone. Recovery is time consuming, and you should be prepared to take anywhere from four to six weeks to rest.

Doctors Miklos and Moore realize that experiencing a uterine prolapse is not only painful and uncomfortable physically, but it can also be emotionally trying. If you are interested in a hysteropexy to help relieve your discomfort and preserve your uterus, contact world-renowned urogynecologists Doctor Miklos and Doctor Moore today!