Rashan Williams experienced a decade of physical symptoms and repeated medical dismissals before being diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse. The condition, where pelvic floor muscles weaken, causing organs like the bladder, uterus, or bowels to sag into the vaginal canal, affected Williams' daily life, leading to a noticeable bulge and frequent urination.
Williams, a deli manager in St. Petersburg, Florida, first noticed the "shift" in her body while bending to lift boxes. Over time, a bulge became apparent, and she could physically feel and manipulate it. "I could maneuver it," Williams said. "I can push it out. I can flip it to the side. It was just crazy."
Despite these persistent physical sensations, Williams' search for medical answers proved frustrating. She consulted multiple obstetricians over ten years who reported finding no issues. "I kept getting the door shut in my face, because everybody was telling me they didn’t see anything. Nothing was wrong," she recalled. This repeated dismissal led to discouragement, and she temporarily stopped seeking medical attention.
Urogynecologist Dr. Nyarai Chinyani Mushonga of Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital stated that Williams' diagnostic journey is not typical. "It typically just doesn’t take that long for someone to find it. It's literally a bulge coming out of your vagina," Mushonga explained. She noted that symptoms like incontinence or abdominal pressure can sometimes be misattributed to digestive or urinary tract issues. Additionally, pelvic organ prolapse can be difficult to detect, with its visibility sometimes depending on the time of day or specific physical maneuvers.
Williams eventually found relief after consulting with Mushonga, who is a double board-certified urogynecologist. "After my first visit with her, all my questions were answered," Williams said. "And just over at least ten years of not understanding, I have pure relief that there was an option to fix the situation."
Mushonga treated Williams' prolapse through a hysterectomy, removing her uterus which had descended and was pressing on her bladder. The vaginal walls were then supported with sutures. Mushonga mentioned that other surgical options for patients include using a "Y mesh" to support the vaginal walls, rectum, and bladder. She cautioned that preserving the uterus during prolapse surgery can increase the risk of failure.
The approach to surgery is individualized, considering factors such as age and activity level. In some cases, a hysterectomy may also include removal of the cervix to mitigate the risk of cervical cancer, particularly if a patient has a history of abnormal pap smears. Williams reported an "easy" recovery, being mobile within a week of the procedure, and is now free from the symptoms that plagued her for a decade.