What is prolapse?
Prolapse is a change in the pelvis where one or more of the pelvic organs move down and place pressure on the vagina. It can feel like a heaviness or as if something is coming down in the pelvis or vagina. You may notice a bulge inside or outside the vagina.
The pelvic organs - the bladder, the uterus (womb) and the rectum - are held and supported inside the bony pelvis by ligaments and muscles; commonly called the ‘pelvic floor’.
The pelvic floor muscles help to support the pelvic organs and control the bladder and bowel to prevent incontinence. If the pelvic floor muscles or the ligaments weaken, the pelvic organs can bulge into the vagina causing the vaginal walls to move downwards resulting in a prolapse.
Prolapse is very common, up to half of all women may have prolapse at some point in their lives.
It is important to remember there is lots that can be done to manage symptoms of prolapse, this may include pelvic floor education and lifestyle advice, the use of vaginal pessaries to support the vagina and pelvic organs, hormone treatment, or if suitable surgery.
What can you do?
- Find out more about prolapse and how to manage it in the NHS Fife Prolapse information leaflet
- Watch these videos Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse | ACOG
- More information can be found in the POGP Prolapse Information Leaflet
- Find out about your pelvic floor muscles and how to strengthen them by viewing the Fife Pelvic Health Physiotherapy pelvic floor exercises page or view the POGP Pelvic Floor Exercises Leaflet
