Vaginal Prolapse and Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Vaginal Prolapse Treatment
A vaginal prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles, tissues and ligaments weaken and stretch. This can happen at any stage of a woman’s life but we see it most often in patients who have previously given birth, patients over the age of 55 and patients carrying some extra weight.
We understand how uncomfortable this can be and if you suspect that this may be happening to you, reach out to our knowledgeable team. We will help determine the best treatment for you.
Laser or Surgery?
Dr. Murphy uses revolutionary Fotona laser technology to treat mild-to-moderate vaginal prolapse– reverting vaginal tissues back to a tighter, healthier state. At our clinic, we know that laser treatment can be just as effective and, in many cases, superior to traditional treatment options, especially in regard to safety.
Clinical studies show that our procedure is safe and provides excellent results without any of the usual complications due to surgery. We are proud to offer this treatment as a holistic alternative for women with mild-to-moderate vaginal prolapse. Dr. Murphy is the first in Canada to combine both ND: Yag and Er Yag laser wavelengths to treat prolapse and vaginal looseness, in keeping with our commitment to bring the best available technology to our patients.
In the past, Surgery has been the default treatment and will always play a role for many patients. For some, it will be essential, but the best results can often be obtained by a combination of surgery and laser. Surgery to restore support, and laser to keep the tissue elastically tight over time and prevent deterioration of the structural integrity of the tissue.
It’s important to understand that laser will usually not ‘cure’ prolapse; it will often reduce symptoms to a more manageable or asymptomatic state. Surgery doesn’t ‘cure’ prolapse completely either; it compensates and tries to restore tightness and support.
If surgery may be appropriate for you, Dr Murphy can discuss public and private options during a consultation.
Recovery
While most of our patients see significant improvement after the first laser session, it can take up to four months to experience the final outcome. We always recommend three initial sessions and one yearly maintenance session for optimal results.
The likelihood of adverse effects is low, and you’ll experience minimal discomfort. If we add NDYag laser, the experience is more intense, but it is quick. Adding NDYag to the Erbium protocol improves the results with only a small cost increase.
Results
Our laser treatment is a safe and non-invasive alternative to traditional methods with no cutting, bleeding or stitches. It’s also suitable for treating higher-grade prolapses. While we can’t guarantee that it will ‘cure’ a higher-grade prolapse, there is a good chance that your symptoms will improve which may lessen the need for surgery and/or postpone it.
In any case, tissues will strengthen and your prolapse will likely decrease, significantly improving your quality of life – without surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms can include feelings of heaviness around your lower abdomen and genitals, a bulging discomfort inside your vagina, feeling like there’s something moving down into your vagina, feeling or seeing a lump in or coming out of your vagina, discomfort during sex, problems peeing and more.
Prolapse occurs when the muscles, fascia, ligaments and tissues of the pelvic floor no longer support pelvic structures causing the uterus to slip into the vagina. It can also occur when the vaginal walls start to bulge or slip through (like a sock that is pushed into itself).
Speak with our team of knowledgeable professionals who will help assess and recommend the most effective treatment plan. Call our clinic today to learn more.
Initial series of three sessions: $2,600.00 to $2,900 (total for the three sessions), depending on treatments used + tax
Annual follow-up treatment: $700.00 to $900, depending on treatments used + tax.
Our team will discuss options with you and come up with an individualized care plan based on your needs. Reach out to us today to get started.
This is not covered by Medicare and is an out-of-pocket expense for patients. We will provide a letter you can submit to your insurance provider or Health Benefits account manager. We do not submit to insurance companies directly. However, you may be eligible for a medical expense tax deduction. Be sure to check with your accountant to see if you qualify.