Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse
A Guide for Women Age 60+
Pelvic organ prolapse is common in women as they age, especially after childbirth or menopause. While it can feel uncomfortable or even embarrassing, you’re not alone — and there are ways to manage it and feel better.
✅ What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues that support your pelvic organs (like your bladder, uterus, or rectum) become weakened or stretched. This can cause one or more of these organs to drop (prolapse) into or out of the vaginal canal.
🧠 Types of Prolapse
Depending on which organ shifts, prolapse may be called:
- Cystocele (bladder prolapse) – most common
- Rectocele (rectal prolapse)
- Uterine prolapse (uterus dropping into the vagina)
🚩 Common Symptoms
You may notice:
- A feeling of pressure or heaviness in your pelvic area
- A bulge or something "falling out" of your vagina
- Trouble fully emptying your bladder or needing to urinate more often
- Urine leakage (incontinence)
- Discomfort during sex or using tampons
- Lower back pain
- Difficulty having a bowel movement
💡 Symptoms often get worse later in the day or after standing for a long time.
🎯 What Causes It?
- Aging and menopause (lower estrogen weakens tissues)
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Chronic coughing, constipation, or heavy lifting
- Being overweight
- Previous pelvic surgery (like hysterectomy)
🛠️ How Is It Treated?
Treatment depends on your symptoms and lifestyle. Options include:
🌿 1. Lifestyle & Self-Care
- Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to strengthen muscles
- Managing constipation and not straining during bowel movements
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding heavy lifting
🩺 2. Pessary Device
- A soft silicone device inserted into the vagina to support your organs
- Can be removed and cleaned at home or in a doctor’s office
- A non-surgical option for many women
💊 3. Estrogen Therapy
- Vaginal estrogen cream or tablet to strengthen pelvic tissues
- Often used along with a pessary
🏥 4. Surgery (if symptoms are severe or other treatments don’t help)
- Can repair or support the vaginal wall
- Recovery time varies — talk with your doctor about pros and cons
- Some procedures are minimally invasive
👩⚕️ When to Call Your Doctor
You should talk to your provider if you:
- Feel a vaginal bulge or pressure
- Experience urinary leakage or trouble emptying your bladder
- Have pain or discomfort in your pelvic area
- Want to explore treatment options that fit your lifestyle
🧰 Resources
- Urogynecologist (pelvic floor specialist) – ask your OB/GYN if a consult with a urogynecologist would be beneficial
- Pelvic floor physical therapy – gentle guided exercises to help support your organs
- Patient Support Groups – online or local groups for women with pelvic floor concerns
Sources:
This content was created with the assistance of AI. Any AI-generated content was reviewed by a Nurse Practitioner.