In addition to childbirth, risk factors for developing pelvic organ prolapse include a family history of the condition, obesity, advancing age, hysterectomy or prior pelvic surgery, menopause, intense physical activity, and more. Conditions such as asthma or constipation are a risk factor due to the increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Many women experience no symptoms at all, sometimes even discovering the condition during a routine gynecological exam. Symptoms vary on which organ is drooping, for example, if urine is leaking, the bladder might have prolapsed. Other symptoms include:

• A feeling of constant heaviness or fullness around the pelvic area
• Organs bulging out of the vagina or bulge in the vagina
• Backache in the lower back
• Painful intercourse
• Problems having a bowel movement
• Problems inserting tampons

For successful treatment, diagnosis of the exact cause is critical. A simple pelvic or rectal examination is completed as part of a complete physical examination for a diagnosis. During the appointment, your doctor will attempt to determine the severity of the prolapse, typically by observation of the vaginal walls and cervix. Your doctor also might even ask you to strain to cough during the exam.

Depending on the severity of uterine prolapse, your age, and other factors treatment options include:

• Observation – Women experiencing no symptoms or problems receive treatment through regular exams.
• Kegel exercises – A pelvic floor physical therapy where you squeeze the muscles you use to hold in gas. Ultimately, strengthening the muscles that help support the pelvic organs.
• Lifestyle changes – To address one of the causes of the condition, obesity, dietary changes.
• Pessaries – A non-surgical solution where silicone devices are inserted into the vagina to provide organ structural support.
• Surgery – Performed through the vagina or abdomen, or by laparoscopy depending on the support problem. The purpose of surgery is to correct the anatomy and provide better function.