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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffTo evaluate pelvic organ prolapse, your first appointment may be with your primary care provider. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in conditions affecting the female reproductive tract (gynecologist).
Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you've had, and for how long.
- Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions for which you're being treated and the names of any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
For uterine prolapse, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there any other possible causes?
- Do I need any tests to confirm the diagnosis?
- What are the goals of treatment in my case?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- Am I at risk of complications from this condition?
- What is the risk that this problem will recur in the future?
- Do I need to follow any restrictions?
- Are there any self-care steps I can take?
- Should I see a specialist?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment if you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
- Do your symptoms include pain? If yes, how severe is the pain?
- Does anything in particular trigger your symptoms, such as coughing or heavy lifting?
- Do your signs and symptoms include urine leakage (urinary incontinence)?
- Have you had a chronic or severe cough?
- Does your work or daily activities involve heavy lifting?
- Do you strain during bowel movements?
- Are you currently being treated or have you recently been treated for any other medical conditions?
- What medications are you taking, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well as vitamins and supplements?
- Do any of your first-degree relatives — such as a parent or sibling — have a history of uterine prolapse or any other pelvic problems?
- How many children have you delivered? Were your deliveries vaginal or cesarean?
- Do you plan to have children in the future?
- Do you have any other concerns?
- Kohli N, et al. An overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and classification of pelvic organ prolapse. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
- Tarnay CM. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2390520. Accessed March 3, 2010.
- Lentz GM. Anatomic defects of the abdominal wall and pelvic floor: Abdominal and inguinal hernias, cystocele, urethrocele, enterocele, rectocele, uterine and vaginal prolapse, and rectal incontinence: Diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186922005-2/0/1524/131.html?tocnode=53759383&fromURL=131.html. Accessed March 3, 2010.
- Hughes D, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3159899. Accessed March 3, 2010.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG practice bulletin: Pelvic organ prolapse. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007;110:717.
- Doshani A, et al. Uterine prolapse. British Medical Journal. 2007;335:819.
- Rosenblatt PL. Laparoscopic surgery for repair of pelvic floor defects. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
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