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Focus On: One Treatment for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Overview: GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System

Have you felt a pressure in your pelvic area that won't go away? Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse? Does it constantly feel like you are wearing a tampon, and it’s falling out? Or have you had difficulties going to the bathroom lately?

At first you may have wondered if these symptoms were “all in your head” – but as symptoms persist over time, you know their impact on your life is real – and troubling. What might be happening to your body, and how can you start feeling like yourself again?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common but rarely discussed condition in which organs in the pelvic region drop out of their normal position and protrude, or “prolapse”, into the vaginal canal. About half of all women over age 50 suffer from some degree of pelvic organ prolapse, and 1 in 10 undergoes surgery for prolapse by age 80.

Pelvic organ prolapse can have a profound impact on your quality of life. It can be uncomfortable both physically and emotionally. Women tend to limit their daily activities and avoid sex because of pain and the need to urinate frequently.

But - there is a treatment that may help.

If, like many women, you’ve been reluctant to talk about pelvic organ prolapse, you may not realize how common it is – or that you don’t have to accept the limits it can put on your lifestyle.

GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System is a soft, synthetic mesh that helps restore proper support of prolapsed organs like the bladder, rectum or uterus. The doctor inserts the mesh through the vagina and corrects the position of any organs that have “dropped out” of their normal position, or prolapsed. The GYNECARE PROLIFT® mesh acts as a supportive sling, restoring support and keeping prolapsed organs in their correct positions.

One study shows that GYNECARE PROLIFT® offers patients an effective treatment for pelvic organ prolapse with a success rate ranging from 87-91% after their 2-month follow-up visit.

You don’t have to live with pelvic organ prolapse – learn more about GYNECARE PROLIFT® or find a doctor who can provide treatment.

A Solution: GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System

GYNECARE PROLIFT® is a specially designed, supportive soft mesh that is placed inside the pelvis to restore organ support for patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

How GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System Works

Using very small incisions, the surgeon is able to insert the mesh through the vagina. The surgeon corrects the position of any organs that have “dropped out” of their normal position, or prolapsed. The GYNECARE PROLIFT® mesh acts as a supportive sling, restoring support and keeping prolapsed organs in their correct positions.

The soft mesh is initially held in place in the body by the friction created by long extension strap-like arms of mesh material passed through pelvic supports. The body’s natural tissues then quickly grow into the pores of the mesh, creating the final support. The strength of this tissue is greatly enhanced by the presence of the soft mesh.

The surgery generally takes only 1 to 2 hours and can be performed under regional (epidural or spinal) anesthesia or general anesthesia. It often a hospital stay of less than 48 hours.

An Effective Treatment For Pelvic Organ Prolapse

One study showed that GYNECARE PROLIFT® offers patients an effective treatment for pelvic organ prolapse with a success rate ranging from 87-91% after their 2-month follow up visit. More traditional prolapse surgeries, like anterior or posterior colporrhaphy, have failure rates as high as 40% and often require surgery to be repeated over time.

Who’s a candidate for GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System?

You may be a candidate for GYNECARE PROLIFT® even if you have undergone surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence in the past. A doctor can help you assess whether GYNECARE PROLIFT® may be right for you. Find a doctor who can provide treatment.

You may not be a candidate for GYNECARE PROLIFT® if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, or if you are currently taking an anticoagulation therapy. Again, a doctor can help you make the best treatment choice for you.

What to Expect

Start by talking to your doctor about your symptoms. He or she will be able to help you evaluate treatment options that work best for you. Find a doctor who can provide treatment.

What Happens During The Procedure?

Using very small incisions inside the vagina, the surgeon first repositions the prolapsed organs, such as a “dropped bladder”, and then secures them to surrounding tissues and ligaments using the GYNECARE PROLIFT® Pelvic Floor Repair System soft mesh, a material similar to that used for abdominal hernia repair.

The surgery takes only 1 to 2 hours and can be performed under regional (epidural or spinal) anesthesia or general anesthesia. It often a hospital stay of less than 48 hours.

What Happens After The Procedure?

After treatment with GYNECARE PROLIFT®, pelvic organ prolapse patients often stay in the hospital for less than 48 hours. Many patients return to normal daily activities within 3 to 4 days, and most completely recover within 2 to 3 weeks.

During this recovery period, there should be minimal interference with daily activities, although you will have to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse for up to 6 weeks. Find a doctor who can provide treatment.
What are the risks with GYNECARE PROLIFT®?

All surgical procedures present some risks. Although rare, complications associated with the procedure include injury to blood vessels of the pelvis, nerve damage, difficulty urinating, bladder, bowel injury and pain with sexual intercourse. There is also a small risk of the mesh material becoming exposed into the vaginal canal.

For a complete description of risks related to this treatment, please see Risk Information.

This information represents no statement, promise or guarantee by ETHICON, INC., concerning insurance coverage, levels of reimbursement, payment, or charge. Please consult your payor organization with regard to local or actual coverage determination processes.

Risk Information

GYNECARE PROLIFT® and GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ Pelvic Floor Repair Systems

GYNECARE PROLIFT® Total Pelvic Floor Repair System GYNECARE PROLIFT® Anterior Pelvic Floor Repair System GYNECARE PROLIFT® Posterior Pelvic Floor Repair System GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ Total Pelvic Floor Repair System GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ Anterior Pelvic Floor Repair System GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ Posterior Pelvic Floor Repair System

GYNECARE PROLIFT® and GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ are intended for tissue reinforcement and long-lasting stabilization of fascial structures of the pelvic floor in vaginal wall prolapse where surgical treatment is intended, either as mechanical support or bridging material for the fascial defect. GYNECARE PROLIFT® and GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ should not be used in infants, children, pregnant women, or women planning future pregnancies. GYNECARE PROLIFT® and GYNECARE PROLIFT+M™ should not be used in the presence of active or latent infections or cancers of the vagina, cervix, or uterus. All surgical procedures present risks. Complications associated with the procedure include injury to blood vessels or nerves of the pelvis, difficulty urinating, pain, scarring, bladder and bowel injury. There is also a risk of the mesh material becoming exposed into the vaginal canal. Mesh exposure can be associated with pain during intercourse for the patient and her partner. Exposure may require treatment such as vaginal medication or removal of the exposed mesh.

Synthetic mesh is a permanent medical device implant. Therefore, you should carefully discuss with your doctor and understand the benefits and risks of mesh implant surgery before deciding how to treat your condition.

For more information, please consult your doctor or call 1-888-GYNECARE to speak with a nurse.

Read more articles about a minimally invasive solution to Pelvic Organ Prolaspe:
- About Pelvic Organ Prolaspe
- Treatments For Pelvic Organ Prolaspe

Click here to check your symptoms:
http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/assess-your-symptoms/getStarted
Click here to download questions to ask your doctor: http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/gynecare-prolift-talk-to-doctor
Click here to find a doctor in your area who can perform this procedure:
http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/physician_locator
Click here to find out more information about GYNECARE PROLIFT®:
http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/gynecare-prolift

GYNECARE PROLIFT® is a registered trade mark of ETHICON Women's Health & Urology, a division of ETHICON, INC., a Johnson & Johnson Company.