Pelvic Organ Prolapse—What is it?

Pelvic organ prolapse is a disorder in which the pelvic floor muscles stretch, weaken, or become torn causing one or more of the pelvic organs to drop from their normal position. This can occur due to factors such as pregnancy, vaginal childbirth, advancing age, excess weight or chronic constipation and straining a stool. Approximately 5% of women develop prolapse; women in their sixties have the highest incidence of the dysfunction.

• The organs that can be affected include the following:
• Uterus (uterus drops into the vagina)
• Vagina (the walls of the vagina fall in on themselves if the uterus has been removed)
• Bladder (the bladder sags into the vagina)
• Rectum (the rectum bulges into the vagina)
• Small Intestines (the small intestine bulges into the vagina)

In severe prolapse, the woman can see or feel a bulge of tissue at or past the vaginal opening. Most women have mild prolapse, with only a slight dropping of organs and no symptoms. Symptoms of pelvic prolapse can include some or all of the following:

• Feeling of fullness, heaviness or pressure
• Pulling or aching feeling in the lower abdomen or pelvis
• Difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
• Urine leakage when coughing or using stairs
• Painful or uncomfortable sexual intercourse

If you have symptoms, prolapse may be treated with or without surgery. The goal of treatment is to relieve your symptoms. Your healthcare provider can discuss your treatment options with you. These may depend on several factors, including the nature of your problems, your lifestyle, and your wishes. You may have both surgical and nonsurgical options.

In many cases, nonsurgical treatment is a good choice. This may be true if your pelvic organ prolapse is mild or doesn’t bother you much. To help ease symptoms, your provider may give you a device to wear in the vagina (pessary) or instruct you on pelvic floor exercises.

If your symptoms are severe and disrupt your life, and if nonsurgical options have not helped, you may want to consider surgery. Each type of prolapse is corrected in a specific way, with either open surgery or laparoscopy. Your healthcare provider will discuss which route is best for you.

The providers at Women’s Care of Wisconsin are devoted to you and your health. That means having the most advanced techniques, up-to-date educational information and a compassionate, caring staff. Our providers offer a well-rounded approach to your OB/GYN care, one that meets both your physical and emotional needs throughout every phase of your life. We call it our Circle of Care. From adolescence through menopause and beyond, you can depend on us. Meet our providers and learn more about gynecology, pregnancy care, infertility, procedures and surgery, incontinence, osteoporosis, menopause and more at www.womenscareofwi.com. Or call or text us at 920.729.7105.

Meet Gretchen Augustine DO, Women's Care of WI

“Pretty much every visit I have with a patient starts the same way,” said Gretchen Augustine. “I ask them to tell me in their own words, in their own time, why they are here.”

Perhaps that’s why the Women’s Care of Wisconsin OB/GYN develops such a strong connection with them.

“Those first minutes in a first appointment are crucial,” said Augustine. “My patients know their bodies better than anyone else, so I provide them the time, opportunity and space to share what they’ve been through. Details they provide can be very powerful.”

The Michigan native actually started her career in journalism. Her decision to follow a very different path was rooted in being able to connect with people at a deeper level. She returned to school to pursue a degree in osteopathic medicine. That means she’s trained exactly as an MD, but with additional training in manipulative medicine.

“An osteopath is trained to view the patient holistically, to take care of the patient’s mind, body and spirit,” Augustine said. “It’s about finding and treating the root causes of issues rather than simply assigning a medicine to fix a problem.”

A staunch advocate for patient empowerment, Augustine insists that the education of those she serves be a top priority in her practice.

“It’s important patients understand the best options available to them,” said Augustine. “And they need to be comfortable with the treatment and have confidence that it is right for them and that it will be successful.”

Fundamental to women’s medicine, said Augustine, is developing relationships.

“We take care of women throughout the spectrum of their lives, and those of us in the field embrace that role,” she said.

Her patients describe Augustine as genuine, kind, astute, supportive, and funny.

“I laugh with my patients a lot, and I think that’s important,” said Augustine. “Most important of all, though, is that my patients feel heard and know that we’ll be working together on a plan to get them to where they want to be.”

Dr. Gretchen Augustine sees patients at Women's Care of Wisconsin locations in Appleton and Shawano. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Augustine, please call or text 920.729.7105.

Understanding Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

If a hysterectomy is needed, we recommend a type of surgery called laparoscopy. This method has many benefits compared to open surgery.

A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus (womb); this includes removal of the cervix and fallopian tubes. You may need this done because of severe pain, bleeding, pelvic infection, or other problems. Having a hysterectomy means that you will not be able to become pregnant in the future, so be sure to discuss all of your treatment options with your provider.

A laparoscopy is a surgery using a long, narrow tool called a laparoscope. The doctor inserts it and other surgical tools through small incisions made into the abdomen. A tiny camera is attached to the laparoscope, which sends light into the body. The doctor then sees the reproductive organs on a monitor and can view them from multiple angles.

Laparoscopy often helps find and treat the cause of reproductive organ problems in women. And it uses smaller incisions than most other surgeries. That means you can leave the hospital sooner, almost always the same day or you may be discharged the next morning. You may also heal faster and get back to your daily routine more quickly.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:

• Requires less time in the hospital or surgery center
• Offers a faster recovery
• Causes less internal scarring and smaller visible scars
• Causes less pain after surgery, which allows for a faster return to work
• Has a lower risk of complications

For more information, talk to your provider about how laparoscopy can help you! If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our providers at Women’s Care of Wisconsin, please call or text us at 920.729.7105.

The providers at Women’s Care of Wisconsin are devoted to you and your health. That means having the most advanced techniques, up-to-date educational information and a compassionate, caring staff. Our providers offer a well-rounded approach to your OB/GYN care, one that meets both your physical and emotional needs throughout every phase of your life. We call it our Circle of Care. From adolescence through menopause and beyond, you can depend on us. Meet our providers and learn more about gynecology, pregnancy care, infertility, procedures and surgery, incontinence, osteoporosis, menopause and more at www.womenscareofwi.com.