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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Pelvic Floor Hernia - Uterine Prolapse

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

While uterine prolapse is not always avoidable, some cases can be avoided by:

doing Kegel exercises during pregnancy and after giving birth to strengthen pelvic muscles

an episiotomy, or cut made in the perineum and vaginal wall during labor

taking hormone replacement therapy for a long time during and after menopause to maintain the tone of the pelvic muscles

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

The long-term effects of uterine prolapse depend on how severe it is and how long a woman has had the condition. Some long-term effects include:

abnormal uterine bleeding

increased vaginal discharge

chronic vaginal infections

chronic bladder infections, known as recurrent cystitis

partial urethral obstruction

hemorrhoids

small bowel obstruction

incarceration of the uterus within the pelvis. This occurs with rapid growth of a pregnant uterus that becomes trapped in the pelvis, cutting off its blood supply.

What are the risks to others?

Uterine prolapse is not contagious, and poses no risk to others.