Pelvic Health Matters

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

This condition is when one or more pelvic organs (the bladder, uterus or bowel), bulges into or out of the vagina, due to overstretching of the supportive tissues.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Common conditions

Symptoms you may feel

    • A heavy dragging feeling in the pelvis or low back
    • A lump or bulge in the vagina
    • Difficulty with your bladder and/or bowel function
    • Discomfort with sexual intercourse

Main cause is when the supporting tissues are damaged through

    • Pregnancy & childbirth
    • Ageing & menopause
    • High impact exercise
    • Chronic cough
    • Chronic straining with constipation
    • Excessive lifting

Sally's approach to treatment

Physiotherapy can be of great benefit in helping educate you on:

    • Lifestyle change
    • Bladder and bowel function
    • Correct pelvic floor and core stability exercises tailored to you

Sally can assist you with your goals to look at alternative forms of exercise, or, return safely to doing all, or most of the activities and exercise that you love.

Women with mild to moderate vaginal wall laxity may have no symptoms or discomfort at all. This is the optimum time to have some physiotherapy input as it will help you to reduce the chance of the mild laxity becoming a prolapse.

It is worth considering the option of a vaginal pessary- a device designed to be worn within the vagina to provide mechanical support to the pelvic organs and relief of symptoms. Pessaries are widely used by healthcare professionals as a first line treatment for prolapse in conjunction with pelvic physio. They are usually made of silicone and are available in a range of types and sizes. Sally offers the service of fitting pessaries and ongoing checks in collaboration with a gynaecologist, and/or your GP.