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Support for pelvic organ prolapse

Having a prolapse can feel like there is a tampon in your vagina when there isn’t one, or it can feel like your vagina is falling out.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can occur when your pelvic floor lacks the strength to fully support your vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum. As a result, one or more of these organs can drop lower in the pelvis, which results in a prolapse. When this happens, you may feel a bulge or heaviness in your vagina or worry that something is about to fall out.

Your pelvic floor can become weak after months of supporting the weight of your baby during pregnancy and then after the strain of childbirth. It can also become weak with menopause, when hormonal changes affect the strength of your pelvic floor muscles and the connective tissue supporting your pelvic organs. Other causes include chronic coughing, chronic constipation, repetitive heavy lifting, or intense exercise. In some instances, it may also be due to muscular or nerve degeneration diseases.

The physiotherapy treatment for prolapse includes manual therapy on the pelvic floor, exercises to increase strength and coordination of the pelvic floor, and education of techniques to reduce downward pressure on your pelvic organs.