What is it?
Pelvic organ prolapse is an umbrella term for the downward descent of pelvic organs (bladder, rectum, and/or uterus). Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when there is a weakness in the supporting structures of the vaginal walls. The bulge a person with a prolapse might feel is the bladder, rectum, or uterus putting pressure on a weakened or thinned vaginal wall. When you add the impact of gravity in standing, those weakened structures move down and into the vaginal canal.
The internet is full of scary information about pelvic organ prolapse, which often leaves new moms feeling defeated and anxious. Given how extremely common this condition is, it is worth discussing the action steps you can take to feel better now and keep your body healthy as you age.
By the time you’re done reading this article, I want you to know these three things:
- You’re not alone.
- You’re not broken.
- What steps you can take to start feeling better right now and to prevent issues from arising down the road.
How common is it?
Mild loss of vaginal or uterine support is extremely common in women as we age, especially for women who have had a vaginal childbirth. Some reports show that 25% of women have some form of pelvic floor disorder in the United States. Of the women with measurable, diagnosed pelvic organ prolapse, most report no symptoms whatsoever […]