Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs drop from their position, making a bulge in the vagina called a prolapse. The muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic floor typically hold the pelvic organs (vagina, bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum) in place.

Prolapse happens when the pelvic floor weakens, which most commonly occurs during vaginal childbirth. 50% of women will experience some degree of prolapse throughout their lifetime and 1 in 10 women have prolapse that causes bothersome symptoms.

Types of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Cystocele

This occurs when the bladder protrudes into the vagina. If you are experiencing this, you may feel pelvic pressure, leakage when coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy options.

Rectocele

Rectocele happens when the rectum protrudes through the back wall of the vagina causing constipation, pressure, and feelings of discomfort during intercourse.

Enterocele

This occurs when the small intestine protrudes into the vagina. Those experiencing this may feel pressure, lower backache, and discomfort during intercourse.

Vagina Vault Prolapse

A vagina vault prolapse is caused by tears or detachment of the top of the vagina from the attachment to the bony pelvis, causing the front and back vaginal wall to fall.

Uterine Prolapse

Uterine prolapse happens when the pelvic muscles become weak, causing the the vaginal opening to widen. This allows the uterus to drop, leading the cervix to fall into the vaginal canal. This can cause pelvic pressure, lower backaches, and discomfort during intercourse.

What Does Treatment Look Like?

There are many different techniques to alleviate the discomfort of a prolapse from at-home remedies, medical devices, physical therapy, and various treatment options.

The follow is an excerpt from Dr. Jess’s best selling book, Postpartum is Forever, where she talks about what physical therapy can look like for someone with a prolapse:

Through targeted exercises, stretches, and manual therapy techniques, physical therapy works to get the transverse abdomens or rib cage/diaphragm and pelvic floor working properly and strengthen the supporting core muscles.

The best-case scenario is recognizing that you have a pelvic organ prolapse and treating it with pelvic floor physical therapy to avoid surgery. Prolapse-safe exercises will typically focus on finding your transverse abdomens muscle (TRA), internal oblique, and rectus abdomens (RA) muscle and how to strengthen them.

Your pelvic health therapist will work with you to help connect your breath and abdominals, improve your core activation in daily movement, and mobilize your pelvis for core control.