DISPLACEMENTS

Categories: Diseases of Women

Turning back or retro-displacements. This includes retro-
version and retro-flexion. Retro-version means turning back, in plain

terms. Retro-flexion means bending back, bending of the body of the womb,

or the neck, backward. Retro-flexion is more common than retro-version.



Causes. Some are congenital, that is, from birth, and a few are the

result of some injury, falls or blows. It is more often found in

child-be ring women, and this may be due to the fact that the womb has not

returned to its normal size and weight, and therefore there is more weight

for the ligaments to hold up. The ligaments often relax and do not support

the womb as thoroughly as before.



Symptoms. Backache, a sense of weight in the lower abdomen, difficult

menstruation, leucorrhea, sterility, or repeated abortion and

constipation. The constipation is often due to the womb lying on the

rectum.






Treatment. This is to replace the womb and keep it in position. Supports

of various kinds are used to keep the womb in position after it has been

replaced, They must fit thoroughly and give no pain or any discomfort

whatever. They are called supports or pessaries. If they are fitted

properly they do much good. They should be removed often (every month) and

not allowed to grow fast or cause sores in the vagina. There are the ring

support and the stem variety and others. The stem variety can be taken out

and replaced by wearer at any time. They are made to buckle around the

abdomen. They are bungling but effective. The ring kind should be

introduced by a competent person who should see that it is of correct size

and shape, and worn with comfort. Sometimes these supports fail to cure

when adhesions and other diseases exist; it may be impossible to wear

them.



Operations. One operation is to break up the adhesions, the body of the

womb brought forward and sewn (sutured) to the abdominal wall. Another

operation is to shorten the round ligaments in the inguinal (groin) canal.

These are the usual operations, and they are quite successful.