When the muscles of the pelvic floor are damaged or become weak, usually because of childbirth or loss of estrogen levels, they are sometimes unable to support the weight of some or all of the pelvic organs. When this happens, one or more of the organs may drop below their normal positions within the abdomen, causing mild to severe symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to significant pain. In mild conditions the patient may not be aware of any problem at all, but prolapse can lead to incontinence of bladder or bowel, interference with sexual function, and in some cases to various degrees of protrusion of the vagina or uterus out of the vaginal opening. This condition is uncomfortable or painful and can lead to infection and other problems. Genital prolapse is a more general term which refers to any or all of the affected pelvic organs.
Uterine prolapse refers specifically to the dropping of the uterus.
Other affected organs are referred to in their own terms as well. There are many ways to treat this condition, depending on a number of factors which your doctor or a specialist will have to consider. Treatments range from special exercises, either alone or in combination with certain medications, to surgery. Within this range, there are many possible therapeutic procedures, including medical therapy, laparoscopic surgery and other major surgical procedures. Sophisticated diagnostic methods and techniques are used to assess the seriousness of the condition and to help determine which treatment is most appropriate.