Genital prolapse, also known as vaginal prolapse, occurs when the muscles that support female organs in the pelvis weaken, causing the uterus, urethra, bladder and rectum to descend through the vagina, and may even come out.
Symptoms usually depend on the organ that runs down the vagina and treatment can be performed with exercises that strengthen the pelvis muscles and with surgery.
What symptoms
The symptoms that can occur in people who suffer from genital prolapse depend on the organ that runs down the vagina, such as the bladder, urethra, uterus or rectum. Learn more about rectal prolapse and uterine prolapse.
These symptoms may include a feeling of discomfort in the vagina, presence of a kind of lump at the entrance to the vagina, feeling of heaviness and pressure in the pelvis or as if you are sitting on a ball, pain in the back of your back, the need to urinate frequently, difficulty in emptying the bladder, frequent bladder infections, abnormal vaginal bleeding, urinary incontinence and pain during intimate contact.
Possible causes
Genital prolapse occurs due to the weakening of the pelvic muscles, which may be due to several factors.
During delivery, these muscles can stretch and become weaker, especially if the delivery is slow or difficult to perform. In addition, aging and decreased estrogen production during menopause can also contribute to the weakening of the muscles that support the organs in the pelvis.
Although they are more rare, there are other factors that can lead to vaginal prolapse, such as persistent cough due to chronic illness, being overweight, chronic constipation, lifting heavy objects frequently.
How to prevent
A good way to prevent genital prolapse is to frequently practice Kegel exercises, which serve to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Learn how to do these exercises and learn about other health benefits they have.
How the treatment is done
Practicing Kegel exercises and losing excess weight can help prevent genital prolapse from occurring or worsening.
However, in some cases it may be necessary to perform surgery to put the pelvic organs back in place and strengthen the muscles. This surgery can be done through the vagina or by laparoscopy. Learn more about laparoscopic surgery.
