HOTFLASHES | November 2023

Do I need pelvic floor surgery?

While many women may be uncomfortable handling medical issues “down there,” you shouldn’t suffer needlessly through serious health issues like pelvic organ prolapse. Not only does this prolong your suffering, but it can also make the problem worse. In today’s article, we’ll go over what pelvic organ prolapse is and when you might need medical attention and/or surgery.

What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Your pelvic muscles and tissues support your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus and cervix, vagina, and rectum) like a hammock. When your pelvic muscles and tissues become weak and damaged, they aren’t able to support your pelvic organs anymore. This causes one or more of your pelvic organs drop, and this is considered a prolapse.

When do I need to see a doctor?

If you are experienced signs of a symptoms of a pelvic organ prolapse, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Symptoms of prolapse include:

• A bulge the vagina that can be felt or seen
• Uncomfortable pressure during physical activity or sex
• A feeling of pressure, discomfort, aching, or fullness in the pelvis
• Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing, coughing, or as the day goes one
• Leaking urine or problems having a bowel movement
• Problems inserting a tampon

When do I need surgery?

Not everyone who has pelvic organ prolapse needs surgery. If you have mild symptoms, you may be okay with a special device called a pessary that helps support your uterus. You may also be able to have pelvic floor therapy to help as well. If you plan to have more children, your doctor will likely advise you to wait on surgery. This is because you may experience prolapse again, even after surgical repair, during childbirth.

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/womens-health/2015/august/prolapse-surgery-and-why-you-may-or-may-not-need-it

Bladder Health Month

November is Bladder Health Month, and because our bladder health is not something we often think or talk about, this month is the perfect time. In this article, we’ll go over some common bladder issues in women and some bladder health tips to help.

Common Bladder Issues in Women

Many women suffer from an overactive bladder, and this can make you feel a strong, sudden urge to go to the bathroom This can lead to urgency incontinence, or when you’re not able to make it to the bathroom in time. This can be due to abdominal trauma, nerve damage, medications, or other conditions.

Another common issue many women suffer from is stress incontinence. This is when you leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or exercise. Many women report dealing with this as they age, and many women may think it’s a normal result of being pregnant and having children. This is often caused by how your vagina and uterus are positioned and may be because they’re pushing on your bladder.

Treatment for both of these common issues can be simple. Often it may involve pelvic floor therapy, changing certain behaviors, medications, and/or nerve simulation. If you are struggling with either of these issues, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.

Bladder Health Tips

While you may not think about your bladder health as much as say your heart health, it’s still very important to your overall health and well-being. Here are a few bladder health tips for you to follow year round:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.
• Sit to go on the toilet, don’t hover.
• Take your time to truly empty your bladder when peeing.
• Stay away from chocolate, spicy foods, acidic foods, tomatoes, and citrus fruits that may bother your bladder.
• Keep your pelvic muscles strong with Kegels and other exercises.
• Stop smoking.

https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/care-blog/november-is-bladder-health-month

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 heads of cauliflower
• ½ cup of grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup of sour cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped chives

Directions:

1. Cut the cauliflower heads down into florets, then steam or boil for about 8-10 minutes, until completely fork tender and soft.
2. You can also cook the florets in an, by adding 1/2 cup of water to the bottom, and placing the cauliflower florets on the steamer insert. Using high pressure, steam for 2 minutes.
3. Let the cauliflower drain and cool, then squeeze in a kitchen towel to remove the majority of the water in the cauliflower. If you’re in a hurry, I’ve had success with using tongs or rubber gloves to squeeze the cauliflower while it’s still hot, just don’t use your bare hands!
4. For a chunkier cauliflower mash, mix the cauliflower with the remaining ingredients by hand.
5. For a smoother texture, puree the squeezed cauliflower in a food processor with everything but the chives, for about one minutes, until smooth.
6. Mix in the chives if desired, or simply sprinkle on top to garnish. Enjoy!

https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/cauliflower-mashed-potatoes/