Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Is something coming out of somewhere it never used to?

The pelvis of a woman consists of three organs: the bladder, uterus and bowel. Any one of these can move whether it be after childbirth or heavy lifting. It is a mismatch in pressure which causes a descent of the organ into the vagina.

Symptoms may be a feeling of heaviness, bulging in the vagina, a dragging feeling of the lower back, incomplete emptying of the bladder or bowel or incontinence.

Management depends on the stage of prolapse and can be surgery, a pessary fitting or a wait and see approach. Pelvic floor exercises may be helpful pre surgery or alongside other options. A physiotherapist in Women’s Health can assess and treat appropriately as symptoms vary for each individual.