What Is Prolapse?
If youre over 45 and like millions of other women, you may be suffering from something that few women know about: pelvic prolapse.
Pelvic prolapse is when the organs inside your pelvis (your bladder, vagina, uterus, cervix, and rectum) drop or fallsitting lower than where they should.
Even though prolapse is very common, most women dont realize they have it. If youve given birth, had a hysterectomy, or are over 45, your chances of having prolapse go up (your chances of having particular health problems are also called risk factors).
You may be able to live with prolapse without it affecting your day-to-day life. But you should consider getting treatment if:
- you have a hard time urinating,
- the skin around your vagina has sores,
- you feel less confident with your body, or
- you have bulging in your vagina.
What Does Prolapse Feel Like?
Muscles in your pelvis hold up and support your:
- bladder,
- intestines,
- rectum,
- uterus, and
- vagina.
Together, these muscles make up your pelvic floor.
Over time, your pelvic muscles and connective tissue can tear, stretch, or get weak. When this happens, your organs can drop. This is called pelvic prolapse, pelvic organ prolapse, or just prolapse. (Prolapse means to slip forward or slip down).
Prolapse can also be considered a hernia that goes into your vagina.
If you think you may have prolapse, youre not alone. In fact, 70 percent of women will get some form of prolapse, even if its very mild.
What Does Prolapse Feel Like?
Prolapse can feel different for each woman. Some women say it feels like theyre sitting on a ball all the time. Other women feel fullness or pressure around their vagina, bladder, or pelvic area.
The most obvious way to tell if you have prolapse is if you feel a bump or bulge at the bottom of your vagina. That bulge is tissue from your organs that has fallen downward through your vagina.
Types of Prolapse
There are different kinds of prolapse:
Cystocele or urethrocelethis is when your bladder falls down into your vagina. If the cystocele or urethrocele is severe, the organs that have fallen down may stick out or bulge out of the bottom of your vagina. Cystoceles and urethroceles are common in women whove had hysterectomies because the uterus is no longer sitting inside the pelvic area.
Women with this type of prolapse may have bladder problems as well. Problems can include urinating often, not being able to control when you pee (loss of bladder control), and getting frequent bladder infections.
Enterocele or rectoceleif you have an enterocele or rectocele, your intestines or rectum slide into your vagina. (A rectocele is when your rectum slides into your vagina; an enterocele is when your intestines slide into your vagina).
If you have either of these, it may be hard for you to make a bowel movement (poop). You may also feel like you cant ever fully empty your bowels.
Uterine prolapsethis type of prolapse happens when your uterus falls down into your vagina. If you feel pressure around your pelvis, you may have uterine prolapse. Your cervix may also stick out of the opening of your vagina.
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How Will I Know if I Have Prolapse? What Are Prolapse Symptoms?
Luckily, most women with pelvic prolapse have no symptoms. Thats because not all women with prolapse will feel or notice any bulge near their vagina.
But you may have prolapse if youre dealing with these things:
- you feel a bulge at the bottom of your vagina; or
- you have heaviness, pressure, or bulging in your vagina that feels worse at night, or when youre making a bowel movement (pooping).
Prolapse Treatments
Treatments for pelvic prolapse will depend on how severe your prolapse is:
However, you may not need any treatment if you have prolapse. This idea is called watchful waitingwhen you and your doctor work together to monitor your prolapse symptoms. Many women don't even know they have prolapse, or prolapse doesn't interfere with quality of life. In these cases, watchful waiting is a good option.
Should I See a Doctor?
You may be surprised to learn that prolapse doesnt always need treatment. In fact, many urogynecologists (doctors who specialize in caring for your pelvic floor) dont prescribe treatment if prolapse isnt affecting a womans quality of life.
When do you need treatment for prolapse? It can be a good idea to see a doctor if:
- your vagina or pelvis feels uncomfortable,
- youre afraid to spend time with family or friends (or go out in public) because youre afraid someone will see your bulge,
- you dont do your favorite activities anymore, or
- your cervix or vagina has ulcers or bleeds from rubbing against your underwear.
You can make an appointment with a urogynecologist to find out if you have prolapse, and what treatments are best for you.
Hear From a Urogynecologist About Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Resources for Our Patients
When Should You See a Urogynecologist?
Do you have trouble with an overactive bladder, feel pressure in your pelvis, or feel like your vagina, bladder, uterus, or rectum has dropped, causing a bulge or pressure? You do not have to suffer through these symptoms. They are treatable.
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