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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A pr il 21 ,2 02 2 | 32 Tackling the problem of pelvic organ prolapse We tend to associate urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with age, even though many younger women also experience them. The symptoms often come on slowly until they significantly impact quality of life, which may lead to depression, anxiety, and physiological problems like constipation and an increased risk of falling for seniors. Whilebladder leaksandpelvicorganprolapse are common, they are not an inevitable part of aging. Women deserve the proper care needed to restore pelvic health and eliminate bladder leaks and support their pelvic organs. If you suspect that youmight be experiencing a pelvic organ prolapse, know that it is extremely common--even more so than urinary incontinence--and there is a wide variety of effective treatment options to explore. POP is the condition where one or more of your three pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus, and rectum) begins to descend, essentially moving out of place. These organs are all supported by the muscle systems of the pelvis, primarily the pelvic floor. If you have a lack of fitness in your pelvic floor (which could be caused by age, childbirth, or a general lack of physical fitness-- not heredity), one or more of these organs could begin to drop or descend downward. It's neither as dire or mystifying as it sounds. The pelvic floor supports your organs from the bottomwhile fascia holds themup from the top. If your pelvic floor is not working so well, and it's not addressed, the soft tissue that holds the organs from the top can give out over time. POP has many symptoms. The most common is the feeling of pressure in the pelvis, particularly at the end of the day. Others might include urinary incontinence, incomplete urinary emptying (more urine comes out after you stand up), or trouble having a bowel movement. When POP is further along, you might experiencemore severe (and frightening) symptoms like tissue protruding from your vagina. But there's good news, and lots of it. First of all, the severity of your symptomatic sensations may not relate directly to the severity of your pelvic floor health issue. Even though you feel likeyou're sittingona tennisball it doesn'tmean you have a severe prolapse. The experienc-es of individuals cover a broad range of symptoms and there are many treatment and prevention options. The very first thing you need to do is speak with and be examined by a pelvic floor health specialist. Your specific pelvic health will help the specialist to design a treatment plan. Read on for some treatment options. Lifestyle modification: A healthy diet, sufficient sleep, and a good deal of the right exercise, including pelvic floor exercise, will benefit your pelvic organs. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT: Keg els are a kind of PFMT but they aren't the only kind). Different exercises and associated breathing patterns are used to promote pelvic floor health and a health care provider with specific training in this area can help design a program for your specific body and issue. Prolapse pessary: This is a fairly unobtrusive intervention that utilizes a silicone deviceplaced insideyourvagina.Thesedevices support the organ while cor-recting its position andreduc ingstrainon thesupportivesoft tissue. It is also much easier to train your pelvic floor when organs are in their proper place and not resting on it.Despite its potential benefits, some wom-en don't like the ideaof an internal device. Libby chair: The Libby chair is one of Corelife's most exciting treatments and is defi nitely themost technologically advanced.While sitting on the chair, fully clothed, high frequen cy electromagnetic stimulation travels from the seat into your pelvic floor. It's painless, it's not invasive, and it works to stimulate the muscles and nerves which gives you a fitter pelvic floor andpelvis ingeneral.Corelife clients experience great results. Surgery: While surgery is also a treatment for prolapse, Corelife together with its partner urogynecologists (the surgeonswhodoprolapse surgery) be-lieve it should only be considered after these safe and effective con-servative options have been tried. Surgery is not a medically recom-mended as a first option. Corelife offers options. Think of us as your in the-knowgirlfriend, ready to guide you through the ins and outs of your pelvis and along a path to improved pelvic health. 3075 Hospital Gate, Unit 312, Oakville 289-608-7136 corelifewellness.ca online appointment booking -- ADVERTORIAL -- Brittney Legere manager/ director of wellness