Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms: What You Need to Know
Hey there! I'm so glad you found your way to this blog.
I'm assuming that because you’re here, you or someone you care deeply about is potentially experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
So, I'm going to do what I always do and pretend like we're chatting at my favorite local coffee shop. I'm having my coffee of choice, an iced latte with whole milk and honey, and you're having your favorite drink. Then I'm going to tell you everything I would tell a patient sitting in front of me about pelvic organ prolapse symptoms.
What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent of one or more pelvic organs into the vaginal canal.
The most common types of pelvic organ prolapse include:
Uterine prolapse: the uterus descends into the vaginal canal.
Cystocele: the bladder descends into the vaginal canal.
Rectocele: the rectum descends into the vaginal canal.
Less common types include:
Urethrocele: the urethra descends into the vaginal canal.
Enterocele: the small intestine descends into the vaginal canal.
Pelvic organ prolapse is also staged from Stage 1 through Stage 4.
Stage 1 is the mildest form, where the pelvic organs have descended the least into the vaginal canal.
Stage 4 is the most severe, where the pelvic organs have completely protruded outside of the vaginal canal.
One thing I always remind my patients is that the stage of prolapse doesn't always match how severe your symptoms feel. I've treated women with a Stage 1 prolapse who were very symptomatic, and I've seen women with more advanced prolapse who had very few symptoms. That's why we don't just treat the stage. We treat the person sitting in front of us.
Common Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The most common pelvic organ prolapse symptom that I treat is a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the vagina. Many women describe it as feeling like something is about to fall out of their vagina or that there's a tampon stuck inside that they just can't get out.
One thing that surprises a lot of people is that prolapse is not typically painful. The exception is that some women may experience low back pain, but pelvic organ prolapse itself is usually much more of a pressure or heaviness sensation than a pain condition.
As prolapse becomes more advanced, it's also common to experience a feeling of incomplete emptying, and the symptoms often depend on which organ is affected.
For example:
If you have a cystocele (bladder prolapse), you may feel like you can't completely empty your bladder.
If you have a rectocele (rectal prolapse into the vaginal canal), you may feel like you can't completely empty your bowels.
While these symptoms aren't always painful, they can certainly be frustrating and interfere with your day to day life.
What Are the Risk Factors for Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
There isn't one single cause of pelvic organ prolapse. Instead, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing prolapse.
Some of the most common risk factors include:
Hypermobility
Giving birth vaginally
Pushing for an extended period of time during labor
Chronic constipation
Chronic straining
Having one or even several of these risk factors does not mean you will definitely develop pelvic organ prolapse. It simply means your risk may be higher than someone without these factors.
How Pelvic Organ Prolapse Is Diagnosed
Pelvic organ prolapse is diagnosed through an internal vaginal assessment.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I can't officially diagnose pelvic organ prolapse, but I can absolutely assess for it. If I suspect prolapse during your evaluation, I can communicate my findings with your healthcare provider and refer you if needed.
An internal assessment allows us to determine whether prolapse is present and helps us better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms. Just as importantly, it helps us create a treatment plan based on your symptoms, not just what we find during the examination.
Treatment Options for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
The good news is that there are several treatment options available for pelvic organ prolapse, and the right one depends on your symptoms, your goals, and the severity of your prolapse.
Surgery
Surgery is generally reserved for more severe cases of pelvic organ prolapse, especially Stage 4 prolapse, where the pelvic organs are protruding through the vaginal opening.
If surgery is the right option for you, I also recommend pelvic floor physical therapy both before and after surgery. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help prepare your body for surgery and improve your recovery afterward, increasing the success of your prolapse repair.
Pessary
Another treatment option is a pessary, which is a device that is fitted specifically to your body and inserted into the vagina to provide support for the pelvic organs.
Some women wear a pessary every day, while others only use one when they know they'll be more symptomatic, such as the week before their period or during exercise. It can be a great option for women who want symptom relief without surgery or for those who aren't ready for surgery.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Of course, I'm a little biased, but pelvic floor physical therapy is an excellent treatment option for many women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms and goals, with the objective of helping you return to the activities you enjoy with less heaviness, pressure, and discomfort.
When to Seek Medical Care
I'm generally of the mindset that with almost anything in healthcare, earlier treatment leads to better outcomes. The same is true for pelvic organ prolapse.
The earlier you seek help, the better your chances are of preventing your prolapse from progressing and improving your symptoms before they begin interfering with more of your daily life.
If you're experiencing pelvic organ prolapse symptoms like heaviness, pressure, or the feeling that something is falling out of your vagina, I recommend scheduling an evaluation with a healthcare provider.
If you live in a direct access state and already know that surgery isn't the route you want to pursue, I'd recommend scheduling directly with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Pelvic floor physical therapists are trained to assess prolapse, identify contributing factors, and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms and goals.
Ready to Get Help?
If you're local to Northeast Texas, we'd love to serve you. We have offices in Canton, Sulphur Springs, and Rockwall, and we're currently accepting new patients.
If you're ready to schedule an appointment, you can fill out the contact form below, and someone from our office will reach out to get you scheduled. If you'd rather call us directly, you can reach us at 903-962-2600.
We can't wait to serve you and help you get back to doing the things you love with confidence.
