The doctor told me I have a prolapse - what is it?
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is when an organ drops from its normal position in the belly and bulges in the vagina. It can be the bladder, the uterus or intestines. It can be very scary at first when you don't know what's going on.
Women often think they have a tumor or a cancer. It is not the case. It is not dangerous, although it can be uncomfortable and limit your activities.
The good news are that there are things that you can do about it. Pelvic health physiotherapists can help you.
3 types of pelvic organ prolapse
Cystocele
The bladder is lower than it should be
Uterine Prolapse
The uterus is lower than it should be
Rectocele
The rectum is lower than it should be
Apart from childbirth, POP can also happen due to:
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Aging and menopause
During menopause, women’s estrogen (hormone) levels drop. This together with the common changes with aging, can lead to muscle weakness
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Certain health conditions
Obesity, chronic coughing and constipation all put extra pressure on the pelvic floor muscles and can make them weak
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Repetitive heavy lifting
Can lead to overstretching of the pelvic floor muscles
Some women don’t have any symptoms at all.
Others may experience:
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Feeling a pressure or heaviness in the vaginal area
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Feeling or seeing a lump in the vaginal area
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Feeling as if you can’t empty your bladder or your bowel completely
Am I the only one?
- POP is very common, especially in women who have given birth and after menopause.
- During pregnancy, as the belly grows, the pelvic floor muscles stretch out and can become weaker.
- Some studies suggest that one in three women who give birth, experience POP. So, you are not alone and there is support.
Call the physio
Speak to your doctor or nurse to get a referral to a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist. They will be able to do a detailed assessment and provide you with specific exercises you can do.
Start training your pelvic floor
Many people are told to do Kegel exercises to help them with urinary leakage or after giving birth.
Healthy lifestyle
Keeping a healthy weight will help reduce the pressure.
- A varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains and water can reduce the risk of constipation, which reduces the pressure on the organs
Smoking cessation
If you smoke, talk to your doctor or nurse about cessation support programs.
- People who smoke are at a higher risk of developing POP because of chronic cough
Is surgery the only option?
Occasionally, surgery may be recommended. However, it is important to know that this does not repair the underlying weakened muscles and up to 30% of women require a second surgery.
There are other options to try before having a surgery.
Physiotherapists trained in that field can help you with this situation.
If you have any questions or need some advice, ask your doctor or nurse to be seen by a physiotherapist who has advanced training in pelvic health problems. There might be one in your community.
Or you can contact the pelvic health team directly.
