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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMake an appointment with your family doctor or gynecologist if you have signs or symptoms of uterine prolapse that bother you or interfere with your normal activities.
Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you've had, and for how long.
- Make note of 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.
- Bring a friend or relative along, if possible. Having someone else there may help you remember important information or provide details on something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor, listing the most important ones first in case time runs short.
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?
During your appointment, don't hesitate to ask other questions as they occur to you.
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?
- Is heavy lifting involved in your work or daily activities?
- 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?
References
- Rogers RG, et al. An overview of the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and management of pelvic organ prolapse. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 3, 2012.
- Pelvic support problems. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq012.ashx. Accessed July 3, 2012.
- Lentz GM, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-323-06986-1&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-06986-1..C2009-0-48752-X--TOP. Accessed July 3, 2012.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23. Accessed July 3, 2012.
- Kuncharapu I, et al. Pelvic organ prolapse. American Family Physician. 2010;81:1111.
- Culligan PJ. Nonsurgical management of pelvic organ prolapse. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2012;119:852.
- Hagen R, et al. Conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine. 2012;22:118.
- Kenton K. Pelvic organ prolapse in women: Surgical repair of apical prolapse (uterine or vaginal vault prolapse). http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed July 5, 2012.
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