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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Pelvic organ prolapse happens when structures that should stay in place inside the pelvis drop down into the vaginal canal, sometimes far enough to bulge out of it.
Those structures rest on the pelvic floor, a set of supporting tissues such as muscles, fascia, which is a tough sheath of tissue, and ligaments, which act like tie-downs. Think of a hammock strung between two trees: while it is taut, it holds up whatever is on it, and if it sags, whatever it carries sinks. When those tissues weaken, neighboring organs such as the bladder, rectum or small intestine can herniate, meaning they push and bulge into the vaginal space.
A mild prolapse may cause no symptoms. It becomes important when problems appear, such as a feeling of pressure in the pelvis, a bulge in the vagina, or trouble urinating or having a bowel movement.
In brief
Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent of pelvic structures into the vaginal canal or beyond, due to weakened pelvic floor support such as muscles, fascia and ligaments.
This weakness lets neighboring organs, such as the bladder, rectum or small intestine, herniate into the vagina.
The pelvic floor is like a hammock: if it sags, what it holds sinks.
A mild prolapse may cause no symptoms; it matters when it causes symptoms such as pelvic pressure, a vaginal bulge, or trouble urinating or having bowel movements.
Sources (1)
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, StatPearls PublishingPelvic Organ Prolapse, StatPearlsPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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