Dr. R Delves into Prolapse – Part 2

The uterus comes with dual support, one robust uterosacral ligament on each side, holding it in place at the top of the vagina.

Repeat after me… Resuspend – Do Not Remove.  Hysterectomy is not a cure for prolapse, Hysterectomy is a cure for having a uterus.  There are three basic categories of uterine resuspension:

#1: Suspend the uterus to one or both adjacent sacrospinous ligaments

Sacrohysteropexy: Resuspend with an "artifical uterosacral ligament" graft

  For more details click on the role of Kegel exercises in uterine prolapse, click this interview link:

Dr. R for Sweet Talk on the Spot – Prolapse Part 2

And if you absorb nothing else, retain this: When it comes to prolapse, the uterus is a victim, not a perpetrator. Prolapse occurs because the ligaments supporting the uterus gave way, not because the uterus is heavy.  Uterine resuspension (hysteropexy) works just as well as do prolapse repairs where the uterus is removed (hysterectomy).  Durability is essentially the same. There is zero advantage to removing the uterus to repair prolapse. However, if you have prolapse and also suffer a separate,  good reason to consider hysterectomy, such as severe fibroids or endometriosis or high personal risk for gynecologic cancers, there may be a true benefit to removing the uterus at the time of prolapse repair.  Otherwise, lift that uterus up into normal position with a resuspension procedure and get on with your life! 

To find a surgeon to do your uterine resuspension in your area,  visit http://www.mypelvichealth.org/FindaProvider/tabid/75/Default.aspx and ask your regional specialists if they are comfortable and experienced with uterine resuspension for uterine prolapse.