Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic

by Sherrie Palm

Overview

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic shines a light on a common but little discussed condition that is estimated to impact half the female population. Sherrie Palm's journey from patient to author, advocate, and nonprofit founder, enables her to share the reality of pelvic organ prolapse with an abundance of support, humor, and empowerment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780985535636
Publisher:	POP Publishing & Distribution
Publication date:	05/27/2017
Edition description:	soft cover
Pages:	202
Sales rank:	447,480
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

Sherrie Palm is the Founder/CEO/Executive Director of Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support (APOPS), a pelvic organ prolapse (POP) Key Opinion Leader, author of award winning book Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic, a speaker on multiple aspects of pelvic organ prolapse quality of life impact, and an international women's pelvic health advocate. Sherrie's points of focus are generating global POP awareness, developing guidance and support structures for women navigating POP, and bridge building within POP healthcare, research, academia, industry, and policy sectors toward the evolution of POP directives.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i

FOREWORD BY ROGER DMOCHOWSKI, MD, MMHC, FACS v

INTRODUCTION: THE VAGINA, THE MOST STIGMATIZED HEALTH FRONTIER vii

1. PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE: THE BASICS 1

2. CAUSES OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE 7

Childbirth 8

Menopause and Age-Related Muscle Loss 9

Genetics 10

Chronic Constipation 11

Chronic Coughing 12

Heavy Lifting 12

Obesity 13

Hysterectomy 13

Compounding Health Conditions 15

Adhesions and Tissue Damage 15

Diastatis Rectus Abdominus 16

Fitness Activities 16

3. TYPES OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE 19

Cystocele 20

Rectocele 20

Uterine 20

Vaginal Vault 21

Enterocele 21

4. SYMPTOMS OF PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE 25

Vaginal Tissue Bulge 27

Urinary Incontinence 28

Urine Retention 29

Chronic Constipation 29

Vaginal and/or Rectal Pressure 30

Vaginal and/or Rectal Pain 30

Back or Pelvic Pain 30

Inability to Retain a Tampon 31

Fecal Incontinence 31

Coital Incontinence 31

Painful Intercourse 32

Reduced Intimate Sensation 32

5. WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT 35

6. MEDICAL EVALUATION: WHAT TO EXPECT 39

The Standing Screen 40

Urodynamic Study 42

Pelvic MRI/Pelvic Ultrasound 43

Hormone Level Testing 43

Cystoscopy 44

Defecography 44

7. NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OPTIONS 45

Kegel Exercises 47

Kegel Assist Devices 48

Pessary 50

Incostress 51

Impressa 51

Hormone Replacement Therapy 51

Electrical Stimulation 52

Biofeedback 53

Tibial Nerve Stimulation 53

Myofascial Release Therapy 54

Pelvic Floor and Core Exercise Programs 57

Urethral Bulking Agents 58

Support Garments 59

Laser and Radio-Frequency Vaginal Tissue

Restoration Therapy 60

Vaginal Restoration for POP: Round One 66

8. THE PESSARY 71

9. SURGERY 79

10. CHOOSING A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER 87

11. WHAT TO ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN PRIOR

TO SURGERY 89

12. WHAT TO EXPECT WITH POP SURGERY 93

13. WHAT TO HAVE ON HAND PRIOR TO

SURGERY 101

14. IMPACT TO INTIMACY 107

15. THE MESH AGENDA: MISTAKES MADE

AND NEXT STEPS 111

Mesh Presentation to the FDA 117

16. PREVENTION AND MAINTENANCE 121

17. MY POP EXPERIENCE 125

18. HEALTHCARE TUNNEL VISION 133

APPENDIX A: TIPS AND TOOLS 138

APPENDIX B: RESOURCES 142

APPENDIX C: POP-RFQ 144

GLOSSARY 146

BIBLIOGRAPHY 152

INDEX 161

ABOUT APOPS

LETTER FROM APOPS FOUNDER

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editorial Reviews

As a physician, I feel it is truly important for my patients to understand the important issues related to prolapse and urinary incontinence, as well as the options for treating these distressing conditions. With a good understanding of the problem and their options, women can make good informed choices regarding their care. As a surgeon, I spend a lot of time explaining pelvic organ prolapse to my patients.

I am very pleased to see Sherrie Palm doing thesame thing from a woman’s perspective. As a woman who had to deal with prolapse herself, she shares the inside information on how to recognize prolapse and how to get qualified help for it. This book is a must read for every woman!

Lennox Hoyte MD, MSEECS

Author: A Patient Guide to Prolapse Repair

Sherrie Palm’s tireless work as a patient advocate, and as author of “Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic”, continues to play a key role in this transformation of women’s healthcare. I recommend Sherrie’s book as an essential reference for women impacted by these conditions, or for any individual seeking a better understanding of this remarkably common women’s health condition.

Roger P. Goldberg, MD MPH

Author: Ever Since I Had My Baby

Sherrie Palm’s book, ‘Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic,’ is my single most trusted resource for my patients to gain insight and education for optimal decision making in their care. I keep several copies available in my office at all times and encourage my patients to get a copy of their own.

Vincent Lucente, MD, MBA

Brilliant clinical and personal experience by Sherrie Palm has given the reader an unbiased, thoughtful, and useful insight into the issues surrounding pelvic organ prolapse. By being a well-versed patient advocate she is able to bridge the gaps of knowledge and experience that the lay person can relate with and the doctor relate to.

Red M. Alinsod, MD, FACOG, FACS, ACGE

Sherrie is such an inspiration as she continues her crusade to educate women, healthcare providers, and academics about the impact that POP has on women's lives. She understands that impact and she has dedicated her life to educating others and to obliterating the stigma attached to POP. I am so grateful for this book, for APOPS,

and for Sherrie. This book is a must read for all women, as we are all vulnerable to issues affecting the pelvic floor.

Thank you, Sherrie Palm, for modeling passion,compassion, tenacity, and persistence, and for encouraging and empowering women to use their voice…because it is true - every voice matters.

Mary Pippen

So many women – whether new mothers or squarely on the other side of menopause – say “If I only knew” when they learn that POP is the root of their physical pain, sexual dysfunction, and fecal and urinary incontinence. Sherrie’s life work is to make sure more and more women know how to prevent and manage POP. And thanks to the

information in this book, the medical community is becoming more sensitized.

Most importantly, Sherrie’s work inspires us to join forces in order to restore not only our health, but our dignity.

Caitlin Bergin

From the Publisher