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| source : mdmercy.com |
Let me be real with you, pelvic organ prolapse isn’t exactly the kind of thing that comes up over brunch. But maybe it should. Because even though it’s not a glamorous topic, it affects way more women than you’d think. In fact, up to 1 in 2 women will experience some degree of prolapse in their lifetime. Yep, 50%.
So, what is it? At its core, pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues supporting your pelvic organs (like the bladder, uterus, or rectum) get weak or stretched. That allows one or more of those organs to drop out of place, sometimes uncomfortably so.
I started digging into this after hearing a friend mention something “feeling off” down there after childbirth. Turns out, she wasn’t alone, and I needed to understand more.
What Causes Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
The number one culprit? Vaginal childbirth. When you give birth, especially with tools like forceps or vacuums, your pelvic floor can stretch, tear, or just generally take a hit. It doesn’t always cause symptoms immediately, but over time, the support system weakens. And boom, prolapse.
Other triggers include:
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Chronic constipation or straining
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Obesity
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Heavy lifting
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Smoking or chronic coughing
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Menopause (estrogen helps keep things firm, and when it drops, so can your organs)
Oh, and it tends to run in families. So if your mom or sister had it, you might be at higher risk.
What It Feels Like
The symptoms range from subtle to straight-up uncomfortable. Some women feel pressure in their lower belly or back, or like they're sitting on a small ball. Others notice something actually bulging out of the vagina. Sounds alarming, but not uncommon.
Other signs might include:
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Peeing more often or urgently (or not being able to pee fully)
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Constipation
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Discomfort during sex
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A feeling like something’s “falling out”
For some, it creeps in slowly. For others, it hits suddenly, like after a heavy cough or lifting something wrong.
There’s More Than One Type
Depending on what’s moving out of place, you might hear terms like:
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Cystocele (bladder prolapse): frequent UTIs, urgency, incomplete urination.
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Uterine prolapse: pressure, and in advanced cases, even kidney trouble.
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Rectocele (rectum prolapse): trouble emptying bowels or bladder.
Good News: It’s Totally Treatable
If you’ve been living with pelvic pressure or discomfort and thought it was “just part of being a woman”, let’s rewrite that story. Prolapse is very treatable.
Options include:
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Pelvic floor physical therapy: Think of it like a gym workout for your internal muscles. Kegels done right (and they’re often done wrong, by the way).
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Pessaries: Little devices inserted into the vagina to hold everything in place, no surgery needed.
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Minimally invasive surgery: For more serious cases, robotic or laparoscopic procedures can reposition and support your organs. Recovery is typically pretty manageable, and results are strong.
What You Can Do Now to Lower Your Risk
Even if you haven’t had any symptoms, here are a few proactive steps that may help:
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Learn how to do Kegels properly (ask your doctor or a pelvic floor therapist — it’s more nuanced than you think).
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Avoid heavy lifting if you can, or lift with care.
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Stay regular, chronic constipation puts strain on the pelvic floor.
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Address chronic coughs or smoking.
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Manage weight and stay active.
And if you’ve already had kids, had a tough birth, or are approaching menopause? It’s never too early (or late) to start paying attention to your pelvic health.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing: pelvic organ prolapse isn’t rare. It’s just rarely talked about.
But once you bring it up, you might be surprised how many other women nod in agreement, whispering, “Me too.” The more we normalize the conversation, the faster we can get support, treatment, and, most importantly, relief.
If something feels off, you’re not imagining it. Don’t tough it out in silence. Ask questions. Seek help. You deserve to feel strong, supported, and symptom-free.