Pelvic Floor Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

If you're having bladder or bowel symptoms, the cause may be a type of hernia in the muscles or tissues surrounding the vagina. It's called pelvic floor prolapse, and it's a common problem that's treatable.

"I tell patients to picture a sock — if you grab the toe of the sock and pull it inside out, that's essentially a prolapse," Dr. Kobashi says. "Any of the organs in the pelvis can fall in."

• If the front wall of the vagina is weakened, the bladder can bulge into the vaginal canal. This might cause stress urinary incontinence, where you leak urine when you sneeze or cough, or an overactive bladder that makes you feel like you have to rush to the bathroom.
• If the back wall of the vagina prolapses, the rectum can fall onto the vagina. You might have difficulty fully evacuating your bowel, or it may feel as if something is trapped in your colon.

In the video above, urologist Dr. Kathleen Kobashi explains the symptoms of and treatments for the condition.

(Related: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: A Common Issue Not Commonly Discussed)

Treatment options for pelvic floor prolapse

Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend one of the following:

• No treatment: Some women with pelvic prolapse feel no symptoms at all, and it's generally safe to hold off on treatment.
• Pelvic floor exercises: A physical therapist can help you strengthen the muscles that support the pelvic organs.
• A pessary: This device, similar to a birth control diaphragm, is specially fitted and inserted into the vagina to provide support from the inside.
• Surgery: There are two minimally invasive options available — an outpatient procedure going through the vagina, or robotic surgery through the abdominal wall.

(Related: Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk of Prolapse)