April 25, 2007 (Charleston, SC) – Respondents commented on facets of their lives that were impacted by the condition. Of the group, only one-third of the women were somewhat or extremely pleased with surgery, and many women had experienced multiple surgical interventions. These women reported that public health information about the prevalence of prolapse and availability of treatment options is lacking. The biggest overall complaint about the patient-doctor relationship is the lack of urgency and importance attached to symptoms by primary care physicians. Women were equally divided in their identification of national research priorities, including identification of the leading risk factors for prolapse and determining reliable cures that would decrease the need for repetitive surgeries. Fellow advocate and American Urogynecologic Society President Ingrid Nygaard, MD, voices her concern by commenting, “These results show that women need to be better informed overall. Various kinds of healthcare providers treat these conditions, and women should be aware that urogynecologists, specialists specifically trained to treat these conditions, exist. And women do not need to be silent about their discomfort." She urges women to speak openly to their healthcare providers and vocalizes her excitement about putting the message out for the public to hear. She adds, "There is help, and many times there is a cure."

NAFC is the only consumer and advocacy organization whose mission has a stated focus on informing and guiding women who suspect they have POP. In addition to assisting women in their search for experts in the field, NAFC is partnering with other organizations in both public and professional health education and advocacy initiatives so that improved outcomes can be accessed by more women across the U. S. on a more timely basis when symptoms are detected. Our long-term goal is to lower both the prevalence and the incidence rate of this condition. NAFC distributed a survey to its female Quality Care® newsletter readership in May 2006 regarding their experiences with POP and followed that with telephone interviews aimed at examining the details of patient frustrations and uncertainties in seeking care for pelvic organ prolapse.

NAFC dedicated its second quarter newsletter in 2006 to pelvic organ prolapse. As authors, leading experts expand on frequently asked questions and clarify misconceptions about the condition. The experts in urology and urogynecology found in this issue of Quality Care® include: Linda Brubaker, John DeLancey, Kristenell Keil, Karl Luber, Rebecca Rogers, and Eric Rovner. These doctors also contributed to a section on NAFC’s Web site, which concentrates solely on prolapse. NAFC now has available “Pelvic Organ Prolapse: What is it? How is it treated?” a leaflet that assists in explaining the condition, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatments, which is available in single or bulk orders.

POP may be considered a type of “hernia” in which the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and rectum) descend or shift within the pelvis, and in some cases, protrude outside the vagina. POP is a common condition among women, especially later in life following childbirth. Smoking and being overweight also strain the pelvic floor and may increase the risk of the condition. In fact, as many as 50% of women who have given birth one or more times have some degree of prolapse; but only 10 to 20% experience symptoms.1

NAFC Board member, urogynecologist and Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at the Washington Hospital Center, Cheryl Iglesia, MD, explains that pregnancy may promote the condition in several ways, including “changes in connective tissue during pregnancy, pressure and weight of the uterus on the pelvic floor, weight gain of the mother, trauma to the pelvic floor and connective tissue during vaginal delivery, abdominal straining during labor, and ensuing nerve damage. Women, especially those who have been pregnant, given birth, had abdominal surgery, or have a history of carrying excess weight should be aware of prolapse symptoms and take action.” Although this condition is frequently caused by the bodily changes throughout pregnancy and during childbirth, certain surgeries and medical conditions may also weaken the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments, which may, in turn, give women the sensation that something has “fallen.”