About Pelvic Organ Prolapse

What is it?

To understand what Colpexin is prescribed for, you need to understand the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a bowl or hammock, to support the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum and uterus) and keep the organs in place. In women, the pelvic floor muscles form a sort of supportive sheet with an opening for the urethra, vagina and rectum. Like a trampoline or net the pelvic floor muscles are attached to the fixed framework of the pelvic bones.

Pelvic organs: The pelvic organs and pelvic floor muscles
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In addition to supporting the pelvic organs, the pelvic floor muscles assist in stopping and starting the flow of urine or the passage of gas or stool (bowel movement) and aid in sexual intercourse or stimulation. When these muscles contract or pull together, women sense deep feeling or tension and firmness as the tailbone moves toward the pubic bone and the openings of the vagina and anus close. Here's an illustration that shows you a woman's lower abdomen, including the pelvic floor muscles and organs we're talking about. You can see how everything is connected.

What happens with pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse, sometimes called just prolapse or POP for short occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, rectum and uterus) pushes against the weakened wall of the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic muscle support system is weakened. It's common among women of all ages and can occur at any time, especially following childbirth.