Mild cases of vaginal prolapse do not require treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms require nonsurgical therapies or minimally invasive surgeries, such as vaginal prolapse repair.
Most women only have a mild prolapse that may even go away again after a few months or years. But it might gradually get worse over time. About half of all women who have a mild (first-grade or second-grade) pelvic organ prolapse also leak urine sometimes.
Prolapse up to the third degree may spontaneously resolve. More severe cases may require medical treatment. Options include vaginal pessary and surgery.
For some women, their prolapse gets worse over time. For others, their prolapse will stay the same with conservative treatment options. Prolapse generally does not improve without surgery, but symptoms can be managed with less invasive treatment options.
Rectal prolapse often goes away on its own. It can be treated at home through increased water intake and a change in diet that includes more fruit, vegetables and fibrous foods. But if a person's condition does not improve, surgery may be recommended.
Uterine prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissue in your pelvis weaken. The weakness lets the uterus drop down into your vagina. Sometimes, it comes out through your vaginal opening. Nearly half of all women between ages 50 and 79 have this condition.
Drink plenty of water, and eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods that contain fibre. Changes in diet often are enough to improve or reverse a partial prolapse. Do Kegel exercises to help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic area. You do Kegel exercises by tightening the muscles you use when you urinate.
A prolapse is not life threatening, but it can cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms can usually be improved with pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes, but sometimes medical treatment is needed.
It is generally safe to leave prolapse untreated unless the prolapse is very large or causes difficulty with bowel or bladder emptying.
Vaginal prolapse is relatively common. About one-third of women will experience some degree of prolapse during their lifetime. If you have more than one risk factor, your chances of developing vaginal prolapse increase.
You may need 6 to 12 weeks off work to recover, depending on the type of surgery you have. If you'd like to have children in the future, your doctors may suggest delaying surgery because pregnancy can cause the prolapse to happen again.
Mild uterine prolapse is common after childbirth. It generally doesn't cause symptoms. Symptoms of moderate to severe uterine prolapse include: Seeing or feeling tissue bulge out of the vagina.
Degrees of uterine prolapse
Stage I – the uterus is in the upper half of the vagina. Stage II – the uterus has descended nearly to the opening of the vagina. Stage III – the uterus protrudes out of the vagina. Stage IV – the uterus is completely out of the vagina.
You think you might have a prolapse or you have symptoms of a prolapse such as: a feeling of a bulge or something coming down the vagina. a feeling of a bulge or something coming out the vagina, which sometimes needs pushed back up (you may be able to see this with a mirror) discomfort during sex.
In mild cases of anterior prolapse, you may not notice any signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms occur, they may include: A feeling of fullness or pressure in your pelvis and vagina. In some cases, a bulge of tissue in your vagina that you can see or feel.
What type of exercise is best for pelvic organ prolapse? Aerobic exercises three to five times a week (walking, cycling, swimming etc). Aerobic exercise helps your cardiovascular system, muscles, tendons and ligaments to stay strong and will also help you maintain to the correct weight (BMI) for your height and age.
There are many symptoms of POP, which usually develop over time. Occasionally POP happens suddenly. For example, a woman could be doing squats at the gym that cause the last bit of support from weak connective tissue to give way.
Many women report having great sex even with a POP and, since it is extremely difficult for non-medical professionals to detect a prolapse, your partner probably doesn't even know it's there. However, certain sexual positions can create discomfort in women with POP.
The longer you sit during the day, the more pressure you exert on the “hammock,” causing damage to your pelvic floor. This can lead to: Pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic organ prolapse.
If you have pelvic organ prolapse, avoid things that could make it worse. That means don't lift, strain, or pull. If possible, try not to be on your feet for long periods of time. Some women find that they feel more pressure when they stand a lot.
If you have symptoms of urinary leakage or prolapse, avoid full squats, and keep your legs no more than shoulder width apart if doing half-squats.
Pelvic muscle exercises (Kegels) strengthen or retrain the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor. Regular daily exercising of the pelvic muscles can be helpful. Although pelvic floor exercises may not correct the prolapse, they may help control symptoms and limit the worsening of prolapse.
Traditional sit-ups and crunches tend to put excessive pressure on the abdominal cavity, which can strain the pelvic floor and lead to prolapse (dropping) of the bladder, uterus, or other organs in the pelvic region.