Prolapse - What is it? What causes it? How do I treat it?
Up to 75% of women will develop some form of prolapse in their lifetime
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
Hearing the word prolapse can be really scary, but in reality when you break it down it is usually something that can be managed with lifestyle changes and pelvic floor physio. Pelvic Organ Prolapse refers to the bulging or dropping of one or more of the pelvic organs from their normal position into or out of the vagina. The pelvic organs consist of the uterus, vagina, bowel and bladder. These organs are held in place by the pelvic floor, ligaments and fascia (a network of supporting tissue). Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when these muscles, ligaments and fascia that hold these organs in their correct positions become weakened or damaged.
What can cause POP?
The main cause of POP is pregnancy and child birth, particularly vaginal birth, but other things that can also cause POP include:
Ageing and menopause
Chronic coughing
Being overweight/obese
Chronic constipation
Heavy lifting
Genetics
Symptoms can include:
A heavy dragging feeling in the vagina or lower back
Feeling of a lump in the vagina or outside the vagina
Urinary symptoms such as slow urinary stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, urinary frequency or urgent desire to pass urine, and urinary stress incontinence
Bowel symptoms, such as difficulty moving the bowel or a feeling of not emptying properly, or needing to press on the vaginal wall or rectum to empty the bowel
Discomfort during sexual intercourse
Where can a prolapse occur?
A prolapse may arise in the front wall of the vagina (anterior compartment), or back wall of the vagina (posterior compartment), the uterus or top of the vagina (apical compartment). Many women have a prolapse in more than one compartment at the same time.
Anterior Wall Prolapse:
This is when the bladder drops down and pushes the front wall of the vagina downwards. Your care provider may refer to this as a cystocele.
Posterior Wall Prolapse:
This is when the lower part of the large bowel (rectum) bulges into the back wall of the vagina and/or part of the small intestine bulges into the upper part of the back wall of the vagina. Your care provider may refer to this as a rectocele.
Uterine prolapse:
This occurs when the uterus (womb) drops or herniates into the vagina. This is the second most common form of prolapse.
To discuss prolpase and treatment options with one of our pelvic floor physiotherapists click the button below.
