Diagnose Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse is a medical condition resulting from the weakening of the muscles and ligaments in a woman's pelvic region. The uterus will actually collapse into the cervix, creating the prolapse. Only a doctor can definitely diagnose uterine prolapse with a pelvic examination, but a woman will notice the following troubling symptoms, which will lead to the diagnosis. Read on to learn diagnose uterine prolapse.
Instructions
1. Analyze your general health and physical being. Uterine prolapse is more common if a woman is overweight, has frequent constipation resulting in repeated hard "pushing" during bowel movements, just went through childbirth or experiences chronic coughing.
2. Use a mirror to observe the vaginal area. Does the area look swollen? It may not be inflamed; the prolapse is just making more of the vaginal wall visible. In some cases, it may appear as if something is protruding from the vagina. This is generally the first, dramatic symptom that a woman notices and reports to her doctor.
3. Walk around for a few minutes. Does your vaginal area feel full, almost as if a tampon has been inserted wrong and is falling out?
4. Observe vaginal discharge. Make a note of the amount and if there is an odor.
5. Monitor the number of back aches you are experiencing. Generally prolapse will be accompanied by lower back aches, especially in the early morning after getting out of bed.
6. Record the frequency of bathroom trips. Frequency of urination will increase, with several occurrences of leaking. Bowel movements become more difficult with increased incidences of loose stool or constipation.
7. Think back to recent sexual intercourse experiences. Was the experience uncomfortable with bleeding afterward?
8. Write down all of these symptoms and report them to your doctor. As mentioned before, only a doctor can diagnose uterine prolapse through a pelvic examination, but he will also need to know the symptoms leading you to seek medical help.
