Hospital | |
Vaginal Prolapse(Pelvic Floor Relaxation)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionVaginal prolapse is the inward and downward bulging of the vaginal walls. CausesVaginal prolapse is caused by weakened support structures in the pelvis. This causes the walls of the vagina to weaken, sag, and collapse.
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in older women after menopause. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsProblems may be:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A pelvic exam will also be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis. TreatmentSome women may not need to be treated. The goal is to ease symptoms in those who do need to be treated. This can be done with:
Women with severe symptoms may need surgery. It can help repair the pelvic floor structures. PreventionThe risk of vaginal prolapse may be lowered by:
RESOURCES:The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists https://www.acog.org Office on Women's Health https://www.womenshealth.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Women's Health Network http://www.cwhn.ca Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada https://sogc.org References:American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 185: Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Nov;130(5):e234-e250.
Pelvic organ prolapse. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/pelvic-organ-prolapse. Updated April 22, 2019. Accessed July 22, 2020.
Uterine and apical prolapse. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/pelvic-organ-prolapse-pop/uterine-and-apical-prolapse.
Updated April 2019. Accessed July 22, 2020. Vaginal pessary. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
https://familydoctor.org/vaginal-pessary. Updated February 8, 2020. Accessed July 22, 2020. Last reviewed March 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG Last Updated: 3/17/2021 | |