A prolapse is a condition where organs fall down or slip out of place.
Types of prolapse
If it affects the front of your vagina, it is an anterior prolapse (
cystocele). The bladder bulges into the front wall of the vagina.
If it affects the top of your vagina, it is a prolapse of uterus or of cervix (
hysterocele).
And if it affects the back part of your vagina, it is a posterior prolapse (
rectocele or enterocoele). The bowel bulges forward into the back wall of the vagina.
Sometimes you can have more than one prolapse. For instance, you can have a cystocele and a rectocele.
To know how severe your prolapse is, a number system is used, ranging from one to four, with four indicating a severe prolapse.
What are the symptoms ?
- Sensation of a bulge or something coming down or out of the vagina, which sometimes needs to be pushed back
- Problems passing urine – such as slow stream, a feeling of not emptying the bladder fully, needing to urinate more often and leaking a small amount of urine when you cough, sneeze or exercise
- Discomfort during sex
- Some women don’t have any symptoms..
What are causes of Prolapse?
Prolapse is
caused by weakening of tissues that support the pelvic organs. Although there’s rarely a single cause, the risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse can be
increased by:
- your age – prolapse is more common as you get older
- childbirth, particularly if you had a long or difficult labour, or gave birth to multiple babies or a large baby – up to half of all women who have had children are affected by some degree of prolapse
- changes caused by the menopause – such as weakening of tissue and low levels of the hormone oestrogen
- being overweight, obese or having large fibroids (non-cancerous tumours in or around the womb) or pelvic cysts – which creates extra pressure in the pelvic area
- previous pelvic surgery – such as a hysterectomy or bladder repair
- repeated heavy lifting and manual work
- long-term coughing or sneezing – for example, if you smoke, have a lung condition or allergy
- excessive straining when going to the toilet because of long-term constipation
How is prolapse treated ? What to do to prevent it ?
