Karissa Barley, CNP is a nurse in Medina, OH specializing in family medicine. Karissa Barley, CNP is affiliated with Hillcrest Hospital, Cleveland Clinic and Medina Hospital.
1000 E. Washington Street Mail Code A81
Medina, OH 44256
6770 Mayfield Road
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse is the bulging of pelvic organs into the vaginal canal due to a weak pelvic floor, causing symptoms like discomfort, pain, urinary problems, and constipation. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the pelvic organs, which are made up of the bladder, rectum, small bowel, uterus, and vagina. Vaginal childbirth, menopause, pelvic surgery, radiation treatments, or being extremely overweight may cause the pelvic floor to weaken. Pelvic organ prolapse is a very common disorder among women, particularly for those who are over 50.
The choice of treatment for pelvic organ prolapse depends on the severity of the condition. Mild to moderate prolapse may be managed by doing pelvic floor strengthening exercises, taking hormone replacement therapy, or using pessaries. Pessaries are small devices inserted into the vagina to help support the pelvic organs. Pessary fitting is a quick procedure done in a doctor's office. For severe prolapse, surgical treatment may be necessary. Pelvic organ prolapse surgery repairs the following:
Each of these procedures is performed through a vaginal incision, but an enterocele repair may use the abdominal approach as an alternative. If two or more pelvic organs have prolapsed, a combination of any of these procedures may be performed during the same surgical session.
For women who no longer wish to have intercourse, an operation called colpocleisis
may be a surgical option as well. By closing the vaginal canal, colpocleisis treats pelvic organ prolapse and eliminates any risk of its recurrence.
In most instances, pelvic organ prolapse surgery only requires a hospital stay of one day. Patients may experience vaginal bleeding for the first few weeks following surgery. If this happens, patients should use sanitary pads rather than tampons, as a higher risk of infection is associated with the use of tampons. To further help with recovery, patients should begin doing gentle pelvic floor strengthening exercises a few days after surgery. Doing these exercises at least three times a day as a routine tightens the pelvic floor muscles and prevents the recurrence of prolapse.
Pessary
A pessary is a device that is inserted into the vagina to relieve symptoms associated with mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which the womb, bladder, or rectum bulges into the vaginal canal. This device is made of either rubber or plastic and is a safe, nonsurgical way to provide support for prolapsed organs.
Pessaries come in different shapes and sizes, and finding the right one can take some trial and error. Before a pessary fitting, patients will be examined and evaluated based on prolapse-related symptoms they may be experiencing, which may include discomfort, urine leakage when sneezing or coughing, and trouble keeping tampons in.
The following tips can help guide the process of finding the right fit:
The device should be kept clean to avoid issues like vaginal odor, discharge, or irritation. To clean a pessary, it must be taken out and washed with soap and water. Healthcare providers will instruct patients on how to remove and reinsert the device. If patients are unable to do this on their own, they will need to get it done at the doctor's office at least once every two months.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when bacteria enter the body through the opening where urine is normally released. The bacteria infect the lining of the urethra and bladder, turning them red and inflamed. This causes pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, a burning sensation during urination, a sense of urgency about going to the bathroom, frequent urination, and urine that smells bad and looks cloudy, or even contains traces of blood. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may travel all the way to the kidneys, a more serious kind of UTI called pyelonephritis. Patients with this kidney infection might have blood in their urine, feel back pain, and develop a fever.
Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.
A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.
She is certified by the Family Nurse Practitioner and has a state license in Ohio.
Board Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner
Licensed In: Ohio
Karissa Barley, CNP is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Karissa Barley, CNP has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 16 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Karissa Barley, CNP from all over the web to help you find the right in Medina, OH.
Ms. Karissa Barley is a specialist in family medicine. She is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by her patients. Her areas of expertise include the following: rectocele (posterior prolapse), vaginal atrophy, and cystocele (bladder prolapse). Ms. Barley's professional affiliations include Cleveland Clinic, Medina Hospital, and Hillcrest Hospital.