Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women: A Study on Risk Factors and Management Strategies

Abstract

 Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common yet often underreported condition affecting women, particularly those with a history of childbirth, menopause, and increased intra-abdominal pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and management strategies of pelvic organ prolapse among women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted in Maternity Center, Madhupur, Tangail, Bangladesh during the period from January 2023 to December 2023. The study aimed to assess the risk factors, symptoms, and management strategies associated with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) among women. The study included 110 women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse, recruited from the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between January 2024 and December 2024. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 26.0. Results: The study analyzed 110 women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP), revealing a mean age of 55.3 ± 9.8 years, with most participants aged 50 or older (63.6%). High parity was common, with 81.8% having three or more children. Overweight and obesity were prevalent, affecting 40.9% and 27.3% of participants, respectively. Based on the POP-Q system, Stage II (36.4%) and Stage III (31.8%) were the most common presentations. The most frequent risk factors included vaginal delivery history (83.6%), menopause (65.5%), and chronic constipation (40.9%). Symptoms such as vaginal bulge (72.7%), pelvic pressure (60.0%), and urinary incontinence (49.1%) were widely reported. Management strategies varied, with 31.8% undergoing pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), 25.5% using pessaries, and 42.7% requiring surgical intervention, predominantly colporrhaphy (20.0%), sacrocolpopexy (13.6%), and uterosacral ligament suspension (9.1%). Conclusion: In this study provides a comprehensive understanding of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) by examining its associated risk factors and management strategies. The findings highlight that vaginal delivery, menopause, obesity, are significant contributors to POP, with most patients presenting at moderate to severe stages. Management strategies varied, with surgical interventions being preferred in advanced cases, while conservative approaches like pelvic floor muscle training and pessary use were effective in milder cases.