Board Certified Gynecologists 
Near Milton, GA

POP only affects women. Mature females or women who have recently had a child are at a greater risk of developing POP. The organs within a woman's pelvis (uterus, bladder and bowel) are held in place by ligaments and muscles known as the pelvic floor. If these muscles are overstretched, and the pelvic floor weakens, the pelvic organs can move from their usual position and protrude into the vagina. This could induce pain or pressure in the abdomen and vagina.

Sustained periods of low estrogen levels can cause many symptoms most typically associated with the menopausal transition. These can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, itching and loss of sexual desire. The risk of osteoporosis also increases with low estrogen levels, making women more susceptible to fractures. The danger of heart disease also grows, and this is because estrogen helps to control cholesterol production.

The majority of women will have a urinary tract infection (UTI) during their lifetime. A UTI can develop in any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys, but is most likely to occur in the bladder. UTI's develop because bacteria living in the bowel is transferred to the urethra. Bacteria move to the urinary tract after a visit to the toilet or following sexual intercourse, which may then cause infection. Women have a shorter urethra than men, which means bacteria have a shorter distance to travel. Urinary tract infections can result in pain in the belly and pelvic area, burning sensations during urination and flu-like symptoms.