Pelvic Organ Prolapse is when one of more of the pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder or rectum loses its ligamentous support and it drops down into the vagina. Ligament laxity can be caused by a number of things such as, childbirth, aging and pelvic surgery. Changes such as repeated force like a chronic cough or constant straining due to constipation can gradually worsen this laxity over years, not just one or two bouts of coughing or constipation but, continuous difficulty in going to the toilet which is also why we take toilet positioning and bowel health very serious.
What are the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?
Prolapse can present as:
- Backache
- Lower abdominal ache
- The sensation of a bulge inside the vagina
- You might be able to visually see/feel a bulge
- A feeling of heaviness normally in combination of the above symptoms
- Some women describe it as a sensation of a heavy tampon falling out.
Pessaries are used in the management of pelvic organ prolapse or POP for short.
