Prolapse & Pessary
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is when one or more of the organs in the pelvis – the uterus, bladder or bowel – drop. It sounds scary, but it’s actually very common.
Not all POP is bothersome, though. Sometimes, you may not even know that you have it. However, it can be downright annoying. A prolapse can significantly impact your life, making daily living and normally enjoyable activities unpleasant.
POP can happen at any time, but is more common after childbirth or during menopause. If you suffer from prolapse, don’t worry, you're not alone. It’s very common, occurring in one in two people who’ve had a baby. You may find that you can no longer spend too long on your feet or think twice before lifting groceries. You might stop exercising, be too scared to lift weights at the gym, or perhaps withdraw from intimacy. But the good news is that it can be treated successfully.
Our expert team can help.
If you think you may have a pelvic organ prolapse, there’s no need to suffer in silence. Our experienced postgraduate-qualified pelvic health physiotherapists understand how a prolapse can impact your life, and we’re here to help. Most people can be treated successfully with muscle training, addressing ongoing causes or fitting a prolapse pessary (vaginal support device). Rest assured, at Pelvic Health Matters, you’ll find the expert care and genuine support you need to feel confident again.
Half of the people who have a baby will experience bothersome symptoms of prolapse, yet most don’t do anything about it. But the good news is that it can be treated successfully.
Common signs & symptoms of pelvic health organ prolapse
Everyone is different, but if you suffer from a prolapse, you’re likely familiar with some of the following:
- A heavy or dragging feeling in the vagina, especially later in the day
- A lump or bulge at the entrance to your vagina
- Concern about the impact on intimacy
- Difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel
- Difficulty retaining a tampon
- Discomfort after lifting or prolonged standing
- Low backache
- Not being able to enjoy general exercise
- Movement of the rectal wall out of the rectum after having a bowel motion or straining
Types of Prolapse
Cystocele: Descent of the bladder into the front vaginal wall
Rectocele: Descent of the rectum into the back vaginal wall
Uterine: Prolapse of the uterus and cervix into the vagina
Urethrocele: Prolapse of the urethra into the front vaginal wall
Rectal: Prolapse of the rectal wall into the rectum
Risk factors & causes of pelvic organ prolapse
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Constipation
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Chronic cough
- High BMI
- Heavy lifting
- Ageing and menopause
- Genetic factors
Our Proven Pathway to Treating Prolapse
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
To begin, we take the time to understand all of you – not just what’s going on physically. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will collect the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand about your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and the impact that prolapse has had on your life. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This may include a pelvic floor examination, assessment of your pelvic organ support and degree of prolapse, prolapse symptom diary and if relevant, a bladder or bowel diary.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you and your prolapse, we can explore how it all fits together. For example, you may find that your recent hormonal change, in addition to your birth history and long-term straining, is contributing to your prolapse.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals such as:
- Go on a long walk without having to rest
- Stand and cook for hours without worrying about making my prolapse worse
- Be comfortable having sex
- Prevent the need for surgery
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work. You’ll learn about your pelvic organ anatomy, what’s led to your prolapse symptoms and what you can do about it. Together, we’ll choose the best research-proven treatment options for your lifestyle.
Next, we’ll start Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. You’ll learn new skills and connect with hidden muscles that you didn’t know you had. And, we’ll give you an individualised program that’s right for your needs. Your pelvic floor muscles might need to provide more support at rest, be stronger when you contract them or have better endurance. Importantly, you’ll learn how to use them when you need them, such as when you lift or carry something heavy.
A pessary can also be helpful to support the vaginal walls and reduce prolapse symptoms. Our team have specialised training in fitting pessaries, and depending on your preference, we can teach you to self-manage this with intermittent reviews with us and your GP or Gynaecologist.
We’ll also address any related bladder or bowel problems and ensure you can exercise comfortably. To top it all off, we’ll give you excellent resources and tools to help you with your progress.
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The final step is about ensuring you achieve all the wonderful goals you set at the beginning so that you can live your best life. You might also be surprised that you can embrace new possibilities that you hadn’t considered, such as impact exercise, dancing or a long hike. You’ll be equipped with the skills to ensure your prolapse doesn’t get in the way of your life – without having to return for appointments.
Sometimes, though, life’s twists and turns might mean you need to return for a reset. You may have endured a nasty cough – or perhaps you’ve now entered menopause, which has made your prolapse worse. Whatever the case, we’ll always be here to help you.
Other Related Conditions
Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au