Many exercises can be done in the comfort and privacy of one’s home or easily incorporated into routine workouts. As athletes exercise to condition their bodies for success, women should incorporate pelvic floor exercises, such as kegels, to lower their risk of prolapse. Learn more about UAB’s urogynecology services here.ĭunivan reiterates the preferred type of treatment is prevention and early intervention. We are here to help diagnose what type and stage of prolapse you have and develop a specialized treatment plan.” “However, the best first step is talking to your gynecologist or urogynecologist about any symptoms you are experiencing. “There are several treatment and prevention options for pelvic organ prolapse, and many do not involve surgery,” Dunivan said.

Most symptomatic women with POP report a feeling of something bulging out of their vagina or a sense of pressure or heaviness in the vagina, Dunivan says. Depending on the severity of the prolapse, the vagina may turn inside out and become visible outside of the body. Additional symptoms include urinary problems, such as leakage/incontinence or retention, as well as difficulty with bowel movement. Childbirth and aging are two of the top risk factors for developing POP.Ī common symptom of most types and stages of POP is a sensation of heaviness in one’s pelvis. However, it is estimated that women in the United States have a 13 percent lifetime risk of undergoing surgery for POP. What causes pelvic organ prolapse?ĭunivan notes some women with POP may not experience any symptoms, making it harder to gather robust data on the population. “There are different stages of prolapse ranging from a small bulge at the opening of the vagina to advanced stages when the bulge may protrude well out of the vagina,” Dunivan said. Prolapses occur when pelvic floor muscles, ligaments or tissue weaken or tear.

Pelvic organs that may be involved are the bladder, uterus, small intestines, vaginal vault and rectum. POP occurs when one or more pelvic organs falls from a normal position into the vagina, like a hernia. It’s time for these women to understand they are not alone and they do not have to suffer in silence.” What is pelvic organ prolapse?

“It’s time to encourage an open dialogue around this condition that affects many women. “It is incredible what women’s bodies can do and withstand, but this does not mean they are not susceptible to wear and tear such as with pelvic organ prolapse,” Dunivan said. Heersink School of Medicine Division of Urogynecology, notes the lack of discussion often stems from feelings of embarrassment and stigmas centered around POP. Gena Dunivan, M.D., the new director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. While it is a common women’s health condition, it is one of the least discussed. Experts anticipate the number to increase by 50 percent by 2050. Gena Dunivan, M.D.Roughly one-quarter of women in the United States over 18 report having a pelvic floor disorder, which includes pelvic organ prolapse.

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