A large number of women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse (POP). If you have been diagnosed with this problem, the next logical question would be: are you able to get pregnant with a prolapsed uterus?
We have good news for you! It is still possible to get pregnant if you suffer from a prolapsed uterus. However, it can be very challenging to conceive naturally because POP can make sex painful for you.
In certain cases, a prolapsed uterus will also present lots of extra challenges during the pregnancy and delivery. It is important to talk to your doctor if you suffer from POP and are hoping to have children.
So, if you’re concerned with these questions you’ve come to the right place! Read on for more information on conceiving a baby with a prolapsed uterus. We’ve compiled an ultimate guide to help you find the answers you need. Let’s dive in!
What Is A Prolapsed Uterus?
A prolapsed uterus is a condition that sees one of the pelvic organs (see also: What Organs Does A Pelvic CT Scan Show?)drop down into the vagina, or out of the vagina. Sometimes, this occurs out of the anus.
POP is not a life-threatening problem, but it can be very uncomfortable to deal with, and it can make sex both difficult and painful. It can severely affect your quality of life at times.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles on the pelvic floor become weakened.
These muscles are designed to prevent your pelvic organs from dropping, and when they become weakened, they sometimes can no longer do their job.
The biggest cause of a prolapsed uterus is pregnancy, so if you are hoping to have more than one child, this can feel very frustrating.
However, Pelvic Organ Prolapse does not prevent you from becoming pregnant. However, getting pregnant with POP is also not certain.
Fertility And POP
Pelvic organ prolapse will not cause you to become infertile, but it can make penetrative sex painful. For this reason, those who suffer from it may want to consult a doctor regarding other options.
You can opt for IVF or other fertility treatments in this case.
Pregnancy With A Prolapsed Uterus
There are some complications when it comes to pregnancy with a prolapsed uterus. If you have these concerns, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor.
It is possible to have a healthy baby if you have POP, although your pregnancy will need to be closely monitored to ensure that there are no issues.
In lots of cases, those who have a prolapsed uterus will be required to have a caesarean section as this is the safest mode of delivery in this case.
If you plan to get pregnant and you suffer from a prolapsed uterus, it is advised that you speak to a doctor to have a look at your options.
Treating A Prolapsed Uterus
There are certain things that you can do to help to prevent a prolapsed uterus or treat POP including maintaining a healthy weight and doing Kegels.
There are lots of options when it comes to treatment, including surgical and non-surgical treatments.
If you suspect that you have this condition, or if you would like to have more children, then it is a good idea to speak to your doctor. It can be very uncomfortable and there is no need for you to suffer in silence!
In most cases, doctors will not be willing to perform surgery on this problem unless the women are completely done with having children.
This is because if the prolapse is repaired, and you have another child, you may end up being right back in the same position.
Treatment Options
There are lots of different treatment options available when it comes to pelvic organ prolapse.
The most suitable treatment options will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms, your age, and health, and whether you plan to have children in the future.
You may not need any treatment if your prolapse is not severe and you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort.
The different treatment options include:
Pelvic floor exercises
Lifestyle changes
Pelvic floor exercises
Surgery
Vaginal pessaries
When you see your doctor, they will introduce you to the full range of treatments available, and they will explain the benefits and risks of all of these options.
Lifestyle Changes
If your prolapse is mild, making some lifestyle changes can prevent the prolapse from getting worse. This includes things like eating a high-fibre diet, avoiding heavy lifting, and losing weight if you are overweight.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Performing pelvic floor exercises is a great way to strengthen the muscles and relieve your symptoms.
Your doctor will be able to recommend a program of supervised pelvic floor muscle training and this can be done for at least 16 weeks before you move on to consider surgery or other treatments.
Hormone Treatment
If you have been through menopause, you may be recommended treatment with oestrogen. This may cause certain symptoms, including vaginal dryness or pain during sex.
You can receive oestrogen in the form of a tablet that you insert into your vagina, a cream, or a vaginal ring.
Vaginal Pessaries
You can also treat a prolapsed uterus with vaginal pessaries. These are devices that are made from rubber and inserted into the vagina. They support the pelvic organs and vaginal walls.
Vaginal pessaries allow you to get pregnant in the future, making them a good option if you are hoping to have children or would prefer to avoid surgery.
Surgery
If you have tried these non-surgical options, you may have to opt for surgery. There are lots of different treatments for POP including surgical repair, hysterectomy, and closing of the vagina.
Speak to your doctor about the benefits and risks of different treatments to see which one best suits you.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! You can get pregnant with a prolapsed uterus, however, there may be more complications relating to the conception, pregnancy, and delivery of the child.
You should now have all of the information that you need regarding getting pregnant with a prolapsed uterus. We hope you enjoyed this ultimate guide!
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
