Women Suffer In Silence With Symptoms They Don't Understand

Childbirth and menopause, two of the most significant life events women experience, are the most common causes of a condition 50% of women are estimated to experience, pelvic organ prolapse (POP). POP has been on medical record for nearly 4000 years, yet remains shrouded in silence. POP is a condition that is seldom screened for during routine pelvic exams. POP is a condition that impacts women physically, emotionally, socially, sexually, in fitness regimens, and in employment. What will it take to talk comfortably and effectively about pelvic organ prolapse out loud?

Women's health empowerment is pivotal; as care-givers to our families, we women often push our own health concerns aside. In every under-recognized area of health, we don’t know what we don’t know. Every single woman suspecting she has POP because she’s Googled her symptoms, must travel down a path of self-discovery. Considering there are 5 types of POP, 4 levels of severity, numerous types of POP occurring simultaneously, a considerable variety of symptoms that may or may not occur, multiple nonsurgical and surgical treatment choices, considerable difference of opinion among healthcare professionals regarding treatment, there is little doubt pelvic organ prolapse is a complex dynamic for women to navigate. The only universal denominator with POP is the fact that it occurs to women.

Every time I communicate with women struggling to dissect the maze, I feel the steps to stimulating open POP discussion are taking too long. Which is related to the ineffective open conversation about pelvic organ prolapse. Which is related to the lack of screening for POP. Which is related to lack of academic evolution in POP for gynecologists and primary care clinicians. If our gynecologists, primary care physicians, midwives, and other health practitioners who provide pelvic exams aren’t educated about the prevalence of POP and the need for routine screening, how is the status quo ever going to change? We need to talk about pelvic organ prolapse. We need to talk about pelvic organ prolapse out loud now, not 50 years from now. Considering the estimated 1 in 2 women are believed to experience this condition, POP is undoubtedly an aspect of female health that should be routinely screened for, diagnosed, and treated, just as breast health is. Women's health plays a pivotal role in our care-giving activities, our employment, and our wellness. It's time for change.

Join us as we walk and talk out loud about pelvic organ prolapse at noon in Mukwonago, WI on June 16, 2018.

http://www.pelvicorganprolapse...

More information about pelvic organ prolapse can be found at:

Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support
http://www.pelvicorganprolapse...