How do medications treat pelvic organ prolapse?

In some cases, some symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse might be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications. For example, if bowel movements are an issue, your doctor might have you take laxatives to soften your stools. If you are postmenopausal, your doctor might have you try estrogen replacement therapy because low estrogen levels can affect the strength of the vaginal muscles. Medications are most likely to be used in combination with other treatment options.

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In some cases, some symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse might be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications. For example, if bowel movements are an issue, your doctor might have you take laxatives to soften your stools. If you are... More

Dr. Kevin Windom answered:

The most common medication used to help treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is estrogen. There are more estrogen receptors in the vagina than anywhere else in the body and so when a patient goes through menopause, the lack of estrogen can cause a weakness in the connective tissueof the pelvic floor. This weakness in the connective tissue can make a patient's mild prolapse become much more symptomatic. When I see patient's who are menopausal who have pelvic organ prolapse (POP), I always recommend them starting on some type of vaginal estrogen preparation to help strengthen the vaginal tissue. This will also help with their Kegel exercises and can possibly remedy their problems.

Other patients can use stool softeners or laxatives to help with bowel movements and this will also help decrease the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but will not remedy the problem. Lastly whenever a patient is scheduled for surgery for their pelvic organ prolapse (POP), I recommend that they be started on estrogen cream to help strengthen the vaginal tissue so the it will heal better after surgery. This will also decrease the chances of them having any types of problems with vaginal mesh erosion after surgery.

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More Related Answers from Dr. Kevin Windom

The most common medication used to help treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is estrogen. There are more estrogen receptors in the vagina than anywhere else in the body and so when a patient goes through menopause, the lack of estrogen can... More

Healthwise answered:

Although taking or applying the hormone estrogen will not cure an existing pelvic organ prolapse, it is sometimes prescribed for women during menopause to preserve or strengthen the tissues of the pelvis, which may help prevent prolapse. Estrogen prevents drying and thinning of the vaginal tissues (vaginal atrophy) and improves your ability to effectively use a support device for your vagina (pessary).

Studies have shown that taking estrogen therapy (ET) or hormone therapy (HT) can increase risks of serious diseases. Estrogen as a low-dose vaginal cream is not thought to pose the same risks to women's health. Talk to your doctor about taking or applying estrogen.