Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Urogenital prolapse in pets - causes and treatments explained
By Pop-Lodromanean D et al.·2025·Faculty of Medicine·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: From Mesh to Modern Therapies: An Updated Narrative Review on Urogenital Prolapse.
Plain-English summary
Urogenital prolapse (UP) is a condition where pelvic organs drop down, which can cause problems with urination, bowel movements, sex, and emotional well-being. It's often linked to childbirth and aging, and doctors can diagnose it through a physical exam and sometimes additional tests like ultrasounds. Treatment options vary from lifestyle changes and exercises to surgery, depending on how much the condition bothers the patient and their personal health goals. While surgery can provide long-lasting support, especially with a method called sacrocolpopexy, there are risks associated with using mesh materials that can lead to complications over time. Overall, it's important for patients to work closely with their doctors to find the best approach that balances effectiveness and safety.
Abstract
Urogenital prolapse (UP), a manifestation of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), is prevalent and burdensome, impairing urinary, bowel, sexual and psychosocial health. This review synthesizes evidence on epidemiology, mechanisms, clinical evaluation and treatment, with an emphasis on mesh use. POP results from failure of muscular and fascial support, most consistently associated with childbirth and aging; imaging links levator ani avulsion and hiatal overstretching to onset and recurrence. Diagnosis is chiefly clinical, using standardized pelvic examination, with selective adjuncts such as urodynamics, cystoscopy, pelvic floor ultrasound and defecography. Conservative care includes education, lifestyle measures, pelvic floor muscle training and pessaries. Surgery is considered for bothersome prolapse and individualized by compartment, symptoms, sexual goals, comorbidities and preference. Options span native-tissue vaginal repairs with apical suspension, obliterative procedures for non-sexually active patients and sacrocolpopexy. Sacrocolpopexy remains the durability benchmark for apical support but carries mesh-related risks that accumulate over time. Regulatory scrutiny followed rising complications, culminating in withdrawal of transvaginal mesh kits for anterior prolapse, while mesh for sacrocolpopexy persists. Quality-of-life outcomes are central to assessment. Pain after mesh may reflect placement or evolution (erosion, proximity) or persist despite normal findings, implicating neuroplastic mechanisms. Individualized, shared decision-making is essential to balance durability, safety and function.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41303286