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What Happens If Pelvic Organ Prolapse Is Untreated?

Woman holding her pelvic in pain.

Pelvic organ prolapse is not a hot topic among the ladies that lunch, or among those that don’t, but maybe it should be. It is a condition that affects almost 40% of women, so why do we keep silent about it? Many women don’t even want to discuss it with their physician. Let’s shine some light on this topic and find out what happens if pelvic organ prolapse is untreated?

What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that happens when the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor lose strength and allow the organs in this region to move out of place and fall. 

This includes the small intestine plus:

  • The bladder that stores urine
  • The urethra that carries urine to the outside of the body
  • The rectum or the muscle which controls bowel movements
  • The uterus

When this occurs the uterus and other organs can bulge into the vaginal canal and protrude outside the vagina in between the legs.

What Causes POP?

Pressure in the abdomen from pregnancy and childbirth contribute to POP. In addition, the following factors can put you at risk of pelvic organ prolapse:

  • Frequent constipation and straining during bowel movements
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Having a chronic cough
  • Family history
  • Treatments related to pelvic area cancers 
  • Having had a hysterectomy
Woman holding her pelvic in pain.

What Are Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Many women with POP have no symptoms or subtle ones.

Others can have severe side effects including:

  • Feelings of pressure and fullness
  • Pain during sex
  • Bulge extending from the vagina
  • Unusual vaginal bleeding
  • Unexplained lower back pain

Now is the time to contact an experienced urologist at Albany Urology Clinic if you are having any of these symptoms of POP.

What Happens If POP Is Untreated?

Don’t ignore any of the signs of POP. You may not want to talk about it, but you need to seek treatment. Without treatment you are likely to experience bladder leakage or urinary incontinence, and you may be more susceptible to bladder infections. 

At the same time you may also deal with fecal incontinence.

Painful sexual intercourse will be likely.

As the symptoms continue, they will interfere with your daily activities and quality of life. 

Untreated prolapse can cause sores to develop on the cervix, and it increases the risk of infections and injuries to other pelvic organs.

Various Treatment Strategies In Albany

Treatments are based on the severity of the condition, your age, whether you plan to get pregnant, and your sexual activity.

Mild symptoms can be helped with Kegel exercises, hormone therapy, a pessary, or hormonal creams. 

Severe cases may require surgery. 

Don’t wait to get help with pelvic organ prolapse.

Contact Albany Urology Clinic at 229-883-1503 for a diagnosis and discover your treatment options.

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Abscessed Tooth

Condition Basics

What is an abscessed tooth?

An abscessed tooth is an infection in or around the tooth. It can be very painful. If the infection isn't treated right away, it can spread and you can lose your tooth or have other health problems.

What causes it?

Damage to the tooth, an untreated cavity (tooth decay), or gum disease can cause an abscessed tooth.

An abscess forms around a tooth when pus can't drain. A pocket of pus forms around a tooth when the body tries to fight an infection caused by bacteria.

What are the symptoms?

When you have an abscessed tooth, you may have:

  • Throbbing pain, especially when you chew.
  • Red, swollen gums.
  • A bad taste in your mouth.
  • Swelling in your jaw or face.
  • A fever.
  • A red, swollen bump in your mouth. It may have blood or pus oozing from it.
  • A tooth that is very tender or sore to the touch.

Over time as the infection spreads, the bone in your jaw may start to dissolve. When this happens, you may feel less pain, but the infection will still be there. If you lose too much bone, your tooth will become loose and may have to be removed.

How is it diagnosed?

Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and look for swelling and other signs of infection in your mouth. Your dentist may tap on the tooth and apply heat or cold to the tooth. Your dentist may also take dental X-rays.

How is an abscessed tooth treated?

An abscessed tooth needs treatment right away. You and your dentist will decide what's right for you. Your dentist may:

  • Give you antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
  • Make a hole in the tooth to drain the infection and relieve the pain.
  • Do a root canal to remove the infected pulp in the tooth.
  • Remove the tooth. This may be needed if you don't want a root canal, or if you have one and it doesn't work.

How can you prevent it?

The best way to prevent an abscessed tooth is to take good care of your teeth and gums:

  • Brush your teeth 2 times a day, in the morning and at night. Use fluoride toothpaste.
  • Use dental floss to clean between your teeth every day.
  • See your dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups.
  • Eat a healthy diet, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and limit between-meal snacks.
  • Avoid having a dry mouth. It can put you at risk for cavities and infections.

Credits

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.