About this topic
Colpocleisis is a surgery to help women who have pelvic organ prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse happens when you have very weak pelvic muscles. The muscles cannot hold your pelvic organs in the right place. Then, your organs bulge or slide down into the vagina. Your pelvic organs include your womb or uterus, bladder, and rectum. The organs can even fall outside of the vaginal opening. ‚
Most often, colpocleisis is done on older women who have very bad pelvic organ prolapse. Colpocleisis is only done on women who no longer want to have vaginal sex as the vaginal opening is closed. ‚
What care is needed at home?
There should be little or no pain after surgery. ‚
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Take short walks 2 to 3 times each day. Slowly add to how far you walk.
- Do not take baths for at least 1 week. Showers are OK.
- Do not lift things over 10 pounds.
You may need 2 to 3 weeks to recover all the way. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Very bad vaginal bleeding
- Trouble having a bowel movement
- Belly pain or lower back pain
- You cannot hold your urine or you have leaking of urine
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my activities
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, bad vaginal bleeding, or trouble holding my urine.
Where can I learn more?
American Urogyenocological Society ‚
http://www.voicesforpfd.org/p/cm/ld/fid=26 ‚
Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support ‚
http://www.pelvicorganprolapsesupport.org/colpocleisis ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚