Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a pelvic organ drops (prolapses) from its normal place in your lower belly and pushes against the walls of your vagina. This can happen when the muscles that hold your pelvic organs in place get weak or stretched from childbirth or surgery.

Many women will have some kind of pelvic organ prolapse. It can be uncomfortable or painful. But it isn't usually a big health problem. It doesn't always get worse. And in some women, it can get better with time.

More than one pelvic organ can prolapse at the same time. Organs that can be involved when you have pelvic prolapse include the:

• Bladder
• Uterine
• Small bowel
• Rectum

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Pressure or heaviness in the pelvis or vagina
• Problems with sexual intercourse
• Leaking urine or sudden urge to empty the bladder
• Low backache
• Uterus and cervix that bulge into the vaginal opening
• Repeated bladder infections
• Vaginal bleeding
• Increased vaginal discharge

Symptoms may be worse when you stand or sit for a long time. Exercise or lifting may also make symptoms worse.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatment

Decisions about your treatment will be based on which pelvic organs have prolapsed and how bad your symptoms are.

Wake Forest Baptist surgeons specialize in using mesh to support the organs through a vaginal approach – reducing recovery time. Hospital stays average one to two days, compared to six days for traditional surgery. In addition, recovery times are cut in half, from four to two weeks.