Notice
Ongoing construction may impact traffic around University Hospital, American Family Children's Hospital and Waisman Center. Please allow for additional travel time.Read more
Specialists at the UW Health Integrated Specialty Care for Women understand. They routinely help women with pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders and encourage women to learn more about these conditions.
When you know more, you’ll feel more comfortable reaching out for help if you have symptoms or concerns. Here's five things to know about pelvic organ prolapse:
1. Vaginal prolapse is more common than you might think
Pelvic organ prolapse — sometimes called vaginal prolapse or prolapsed uterus — is a common pelvic floor disorder. Prolapse is a medical term that means to fall, slip out of place or protrude. The pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissues that support your pelvic organs. These include the vagina, uterus, bladder, rectum and other pelvic-area muscles and tissues.
“Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when part of the uterus, bladder or rectum drops out of place into the vaginal canal,” says Dr. Frank Lin, a UW Health urologist and urogynecologist. “It happens when there are weak areas in the tissues and supporting structures surrounding the vaginal canal.
“It’s very common, with about 50 percent of women over age 50 having some degree of prolapse. It's estimated that 10-15% of American women will have surgery for it in their lifetime.”
2. Prolapse causes are varied
Many conditions and changes throughout your life can make a vaginal prolapse more likely. Potential causes include:
Childbirth
Age-related changes
Connective tissue diseases
Inherited conditions or genetic changes
Menopause and other hormonal changes
Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse
These risk factors increase your chances of developing a prolapse:
Having multiple vaginal deliveries
Giving birth to one or more babies with above-average birth weights
A childbirth that required a provider to use forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery
Having a connective tissue disorder
Having a family history of prolapse
Having a pelvic floor injury in the past
Having a past hysterectomy
3. Knowing the signs and risks can give you a head start
Why wait? Once you understand the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and your personal risk factors, you’re ahead of the game. You can spot symptoms early and get expert evaluation and care. Early recognition allows more time to weigh your treatment options before a prolapse gets worse, causing new symptoms and complications.
Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
If you have a prolapse, your symptoms will depend on its size, location and the organs involved. For example, some women experience incontinence or constipation. They may even need to push an intrusive prolapse out of the way before they can urinate or have a bowel movement.
Signs of a vaginal prolapse can include:
A bulging lump in your vagina
Constipation or difficulty having bowel movements
Feeling a sense of pressure or fullness in pelvic areas
Tissues that drop or extend out of your vagina
Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
Urinary retention (inability to fully empty your bladder)
4. If you have a prolapse, you have choices
If you have symptoms of a prolapse, your provider can evaluate your condition, health history and recommend options. If the prolapse doesn’t bother you, you may decide to delay treatment.
“A prolapse and symptoms can worsen with time,” says Dr. Lin. “Your provider can monitor your prolapse and recommend treatments if it progresses and affects your quality of life.”
Treatment for vaginal prolapse may include:
Pelvic floor physical therapy — Targeted therapies and Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support pelvic organs and tissues. A pelvic floor physical therapist can teach you exercises to train these muscles.
Pessary — This removable silicone device fits inside your vagina adding support to keep pelvic organs in place.
Weight loss — If you’re overweight, losing weight can help relieve pressure on pelvic organs.
Treating symptoms — If your prolapse causes problems with urination or bowel movements, your provider may recommend diet and lifestyle changes, medication or other therapies.
Surgery — There are many minimally invasive procedures, including advanced, robotic-assisted procedures, to treat affected tissues.
5. You’ll find in-the-know pelvic care experts at UW Health
You don’t need to put off seeking evaluation and care for pelvic organ prolapse. Chances are, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief once you have answers. The UW Health Integrated Specialty Care for Women coordinates care across many specialties. It’s the only multispecialty program of its kind in the state.
“We deliver personalized, holistic care to improve your health, well-being and quality of life,” says Dr. Lin. “We have a number of subspecialty providers available to help manage pelvic floor disorders.”
Dr. Lin encourages people not to hesitate to talk with their provider if they have symptoms or suspect they have a weakened pelvic floor.
“Surgical treatment is just one of many options,” he says. “There are procedures, medical devices and even lifestyle modifications to repair your prolapse and improve your quality of life.”