Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a pelvic organ such as the bladder, uterus or rectum drops down (prolapses) from its normal position in the pelvis and pushes against the walls of the vagina.
Here is the normal anatomy:
There are different types of prolapse:
There are also different stages of prolapse:
Stage 1: Prolapse does not reach the vaginal “introitus” (opening)
Stage 2: Prolapse reaches the vaginal introitus, but does not extend beyond it
Stage 3: Prolapse extends beyond the vaginal introitus
Stage 4: Prolapse extends completely outside the vagina
How common is genital prolapse in women?
Genital prolapse is very common, as one third of women suffer from this condition in their lifetime.
How to treat genital prolapse
Treatment for this condition depends on the type and severity of the prolapse. The first treatment should be conservative management with exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. If exercises alone are not enough, a “pessary” may be an option. Surgery is a last resort. Talk to your doctor to find out more about pessaries and surgery.