A prolapse involving the bladder, can cause urine-related symptoms, commonly:

• Bladder leaks
• Frequent passing of urine
• Urgency
• Difficulty passing urine (weak or longer stream of urine or feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bladder)

A prolapse involving the rectum can cause:

• Leakage of faeces
• Feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels
• Straining to pass stools
• Urgency to pass stools

A prolapse often affects the walls of the vagina and so can cause discomfort during sex, and reduced sensation or reduced arousal.

Since a weak pelvic floor can lead to a prolapse, it makes sense that strengthening of the pelvic floor muscle can improve symptoms of a pelvic organ prolapse, particularly in the early stages. Studies show that supervised pelvic floor exercises for 6 months significantly improve bladder, bowel and sexual function. It does require good motivation, but is absolutely worth it!

Check out the Squeezy App at www.squeezyapp.com to learn more about pelvic floor muscle exercises.

• Try to lose weight if you have a BMI of over 30
• Treat constipation
• Treat a chronic cough (get help to stop smoking!)
• Avoid excessive heavy lifting

This is a device that is used to support the prolapsing structure. It’s a suitable option for all women and is usually well tolerated. It is particularly recommended for those who have not yet completed their family or older women who would not want surgery.

Speak to a doctor.

HRT may improve the quality of tissue by improving levels of pelvic organ collagen. It may not necessarily rectify a prolapse but it may prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Speak to a doctor.

If you have a significant prolapse or one which does not respond to the above measures, you can be referred to a specialist for surgery. There are quite a number of surgical procedures used for the correction of a pelvic organ prolapse. You will be able to discuss these options with your specialist to decide on the procedure that is most suitable for you.