What is vaginal prolapse?
Vaginal prolapse, also called pelvic organ prolapse (POP), is when the muscles that support the pelvic organs weaken and one or more begin to bulge into and even out of the vagina. Organs that can prolapse include:
- Bladder
- Uterus
- Urethra
- Rectum (end of the bowel)
Prognosis of vaginal prolapse
Although not life threatening, vaginal prolapse can be very uncomfortable and painful.
If your doctor suspects vaginal prolapse, he or she will need to perform an internal pelvic examination.
Symptoms of vaginal prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse may cause the following symptoms:
- A feeling of heaviness in the pelvis.
- A feeling of fullness in the vagina
- A lump protruding from the vagina
- Discomfort or numbness during intercourse
- Problems with urination: you may feel that you have not emptied your bladder or you may need to urinate more frequently.
Medical tests to diagnose vaginal prolapse
If vaginal prolapse has occurred, but has not been severe enough to cause symptoms, it may be detected by causality during another internal examination, such as a cervical screening. If the physician suspects vaginal prolapse, he or she will need to perform an internal pelvic examination, which is performed similarly to a smear test.
What causes vaginal prolapse?
A group of muscles and tissues known as the pelvic floor sits above the vagina and supports organs in the abdomen such as the bladder and colon. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor weakens and can no longer support these organs. This weakening can be caused by:
- Pregnancy and childbirth: particularly if the baby was large, after a long and/or difficult delivery or after multiple births
- Heavy lifting
- Pressure from being overweight or obese
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic lung disease or similar conditions that cause constant coughing
- Menopause
Treatments for vaginal prolapse
The first line of treatment is pelvic floor exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles so that they can support the bladder, uterus, and other organs properly. This, combined with lifestyle changes such as weight loss and smoking cessation, may be sufficient for some patients.
Other patients may need a pessary, a device that is inserted into the vagina to hold the prolapse in position.
If the prolapse is severe, surgical options may be considered.
The ideal treatment depends on the case and should be discussed and decided between you and your doctor.
Which specialists treat vaginal prolapse?
Gynecologists and urologists specialize in treating conditions that occur in the vagina, including pelvic organ prolapse.