There’s been a lot of talk of vaginal rejuvenation in recent years, thanks to minimally invasive techniques like Mona Lisa Touch®. But, these therapies that work to restore the health of your vaginal tissue shouldn’t be confused with pelvic floor reconstruction, which addresses structural issues causing pelvic organ prolapse.

At Bela Vida Urogynecology, our experienced team of urogynecologists performs pelvic floor reconstruction surgeries to treat severe symptoms caused by pelvic organ prolapse. Here’s what you need to know about this pelvic floor disorder and the different types of pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Understanding pelvic organ prolapse

You have tissues and muscles in your pelvis that form a hammock-like support system. This area, known as your pelvic floor, holds your rectum, vagina, uterus, cervix, and bladder in place. When your pelvic floor weakens or sustains damage, you can experience pelvic organ prolapse, or POP. This occurs when one or more of these pelvic organs slips out of position and presses into or out of your vagina.

There are different types of POP, depending on which organ moves out of position, including:

• Cystocele, involving the bladder
• Rectocele, involving the rectum
• Uterine prolapse, involving the uterus
• Vaginal prolapse, where the top of the vagina drops

You can also experience enterocele, where the bowel or small intestine bulges into your vagina.

The symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse

When you have this type of pelvic floor disorder, you can experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Urinary incontinence
• Difficulty inserting tampons
• Seeing or feeling something coming out of your vagina
• Pelvic pressure that worsens throughout the day or because of standing or coughing
• Feeling discomfort, pressure, achiness, or a sense of fullness in the pelvis

It’s also common for these symptoms to be more pronounced at certain times of the day or during physical activity.

How pelvic reconstruction surgery works

The goal of pelvic reconstruction surgery is to repair your prolapse and rebuild your pelvic floor. We offer several different techniques, depending on the severity of your condition and the nature of your prolapse. Common methods include native tissue repair, transvaginal graft, and sacrocolpopexy.

Native tissue repair

During this procedure, we use your own tissue to repair damaged areas of your pelvic floor. This technique is typically minimally invasive and involves a few small incisions in your vagina or abdomen.

Transvaginal graft

A transvaginal graft uses biologic or synthetic mesh to reinforce or “patch” weakened tissue in your pelvic floor. We typically place a transvaginal graft by making an incision in your vagina.

Sacrocolpopexy

This form of pelvic reconstruction surgery corrects a prolapse involving the top of the vagina or cervix in women with advanced uterine prolapse or those who had a hysterectomy.

We perform pelvic reconstruction surgeries using traditional, open methods and minimally invasive, robotic surgery techniques. Recovery times vary but typically require at least a few weeks off from work and vigorous activity.

To learn more about pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic reconstruction surgery, contact one of our convenient locations in Ocoee, Florida, by calling or requesting an appointment online today.