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Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition in which one or more of the pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum, falls into the vaginal canal or may sit outside of the vaginal entrance. This can happen due to weakening of the fascia and ligaments which supports the pelvic organs, which can occur during pregnancy, labour, or due to hormonal changes associated with aging. POP can also occur as a side effect of certain medical conditions or surgical procedures.
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Common symptoms of POP may include a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the vagina, difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, and incontinence. In some cases, the prolapsed organ may be a noticeable bulge outside of the vagina.
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Research indicates that around 1 in 2 females will experience the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
There are different options for management, depending on the stage and symptoms an individual is experiencing. These key options include;
- to do nothing, and just monitor symptoms over time
- conservative management with a Physio (such as the use of a pessary and pelvic floor retraining at our clinic)
- surgical intervention with a Gynaecologist.
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Despite which management you decide with your health professional, it is always worth seeing a Pelvic Floor Physio to help manage any lifestyle factors which may not be helpful to the symptoms you're experiencing. We help address concerns with bowel habits and straining, adjust your exercise based on your goals to proactively look after your pelvic health longterm and aim to prevent any symptoms from worsening.
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