When Ruth Davitt stepped out of the shower after an exercise class, something didn’t feel right.
The active, 72-year-old, retired teacher had always prioritized staying healthy. She exercised regularly, volunteered in her community and spent her retirement helping to care for her grandchildren. But that day, she noticed a bulge she had never felt before.
“I see this huge, pink bulge and I’m like, ‘Oh, it must be a tumor. I probably have cancer,’” Ruth recalled.
Thankfully, it wasn’t cancer, but it was a condition that affects millions of women, particularly after menopause: pelvic organ prolapse.
What began as a frightening discovery eventually led Ruth to specialized treatment at Hackensack Meridian Health and relief from symptoms that were starting to interfere with her daily life.
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs become weakened or stretched. As that support system weakens, organs such as the bladder, uterus or rectum can shift downward and press against the vaginal wall.
The condition is surprisingly common. Research shows that more than 30 percent of women experience some degree of pelvic organ prolapse during their lifetime, and the risk increases with age, childbirth and menopause.
The most common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the pelvis
- A bulge in the vaginal area
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Frequent urination
- Discomfort during physical activity
- A sensation that something is “falling out”
For Ruth, the symptom was impossible to ignore.
“Every time I put stress or strain on myself going to the bathroom, I could feel it pulling again,” she said.
Like many women, Ruth had been managing symptoms before seeking care. But once the condition started to affect her quality of life, she knew it was time to find answers.
Looking for a Permanent Solution
After seeing her gynecology provider, Ruth learned that her bladder had prolapsed. She was referred to urogynecologist Nina Bhatia, M.D., who specializes in pelvic floor disorders.
“Ruth came in with symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, as well as urinary incontinence,” Dr. Bhatia said. “Ruth had significant prolapse that was quite bothersome for her.”
Before her appointment with Dr. Bhatia, Ruth did what many patients do: she started researching.
One option she learned about was a pessary, a removable device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs. Pessaries can be an excellent option for many women, particularly those who want to avoid surgery or who aren’t good surgical candidates.
But Ruth wanted a more permanent solution.
“I don’t want to go through this,” she said. “I want to have it fixed once and be done.”
When she met Dr. Bhatia, she felt confident she had found the right physician.
“I must have spent about an hour and a half with her,” Ruth said. “That’s how thorough she was. That’s how professional she was. She spoke to me woman-to-woman and in layman’s terms.”
During her consultation, Dr. Bhatia didn’t just ask about Ruth’s symptoms, she focused on understanding exactly how they were affecting Ruth’s daily life.
“Ruth and I talked about what was truly bothering her, what the symptoms were that were an issue for her and what her goals were,” Dr. Bhatia said. “We worked towards those goals together.”
From there, Ruth and Dr. Bhatia developed a treatment plan that addressed the prolapse, the urinary symptoms and other factors affecting her pelvic health. The plan included surgery, medication, pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications and treatment for vaginal atrophy.
Understanding Prolapse Surgery
Surgery is often considered when prolapse symptoms significantly affect quality of life or when conservative treatments aren’t the best fit.
There are several surgical approaches available to patients. The goal is to restore support to the pelvic organs and relieve symptoms while preserving normal bladder and bowel function. But choosing the right surgical approach isn’t one-size-fits-all.
“In planning surgery, we have to consider a patient’s medical history and other comorbidities, so determining the best surgical approach can sometimes be a bit of a challenge,” Dr. Bhatia explained. “Ruth was the perfect candidate for a vaginal prolapse procedure that is less invasive. In her case, that was going to be the safest route for her.”
Ruth trusted the recommendation.
“I have the utmost confidence in you,” she remembers telling Dr. Bhatia before the surgery.
A Smooth Recovery
Ruth had outpatient surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health Old Bridge Medical Center in August 2024.
The procedure itself was shorter than she expected. Within hours, she was awake in recovery and heading home.
Like many patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery, she experienced some temporary swelling and needed a catheter overnight while her bladder recovered. The next day, Ruth returned to the office for follow-up testing and catheter removal.
Although the first few days required patience, her recovery progressed smoothly. Most importantly, the prolapse symptoms that had disrupted her daily life were gone.
Dr. Bhatia credits part of Ruth’s success to the effort she put into recovery.
“She really adhered to her postoperative instructions,” Dr. Bhatia said. “She limited lifting and other things that could potentially add to complications. She did a great job.”
Back to Doing What She Loves
Today, Ruth is back to exercising, volunteering, spending time with family and enjoying retirement without the symptoms that once worried her.
Dr. Bhatia says stories like Ruth’s are one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
“So many women have these conditions for a long time and may be suffering with them for years,” she said. “For us to come up with a plan and truly be able to help them, and then see how happy they are afterwards, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
In fact, Ruth has become an advocate for other women experiencing similar symptoms.
“She has referred so many of her friends, family members and community members to us,” Dr. Bhatia adds. “She has helped probably dozens of women by sharing her story and encouraging them to come in.”
Pelvic organ prolapse may be common, but that doesn’t mean women have to live with it. Effective treatments are available and for Ruth, seeking help allowed her to get back to the active life she loves.
“From start to finish, Dr. Bhatia educated me,” says Ruth. “I knew I was in good hands.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Nina P Bhatia, M.D.
- Make an appointment online with a doctor near you, or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about the urogynecology services at Hackensack Meridian Health.
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