Uterine prolapse and ptosis are caused by pelvic muscle atony and elongation of the endopelvic fascia. Radical treatment for uterine prolapse and ptosis is surgery. However, as these conditions usually arise in relatively older women, complications are common. Conservative treatment methods such as vaginal rings and Kampo medicine (particularly Hochu-ekki-to) are often recommended.
The authors prescribed Hochu-ekki-to for 38 patients with uterine prolapse and ptosis. A decrease in subjective symptoms was reported by 15 patients (39%) within four months. Seventy-two percent of these patients had uterine ptosis. Six of the 38 patients (16%) reported a worsening of subjective symptoms. The objective symptom of the degree of descent of the uterus when pulled by cervical forcepts did not change with treatment. The authors concluded that Hochu-ekki-to is useful in the treatment of uterine ptosis.