Quick read
Key points
- 1
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or bowel, slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. It happens when the muscles and tissues that support these organs become weakened or stretched.
- 2
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
- 3
You notice a bulge or feeling of heaviness in the vagina
01 · Know
What is Pelvic organ prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more of the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or bowel, slip down from their normal position and bulge into the vagina. It happens when the muscles and tissues that support these organs become weakened or stretched.
It's commonly linked to pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, chronic coughing, heavy lifting, and constipation. Symptoms can include a feeling of heaviness or a bulge in the vagina, discomfort during sex, or difficulty with bladder or bowel emptying.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your GP if you notice a bulge, heaviness, or bladder and bowel changes, as a referral to a specialist can help identify the best treatment option.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1You notice a bulge or feeling of heaviness in the vagina
- 2You experience discomfort or pain during sex that's new or worsening
- 3You have difficulty emptying your bladder or bowel fully
- 4Symptoms are affecting your daily activities or confidence
- 5You've noticed leaking urine alongside a sensation of pelvic pressure
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Do pelvic floor exercises regularly.Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can reduce symptoms and support the pelvic organs.
- 2Avoid heavy lifting where possible.Reducing strain on the pelvic floor can prevent symptoms from worsening.
- 3Manage constipation.Straining on the toilet puts extra pressure on the pelvic floor, so a fibre-rich diet and good hydration help.
- 4Maintain a healthy weight.Excess weight adds pressure to the pelvic floor and can worsen prolapse symptoms.
- 5Ask about a vaginal pessary.This removable device can support pelvic organs and ease symptoms without surgery.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Pelvic organ prolapse ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Pelvic organ prolapse is common, particularly after childbirth or menopause, and there are effective treatments ranging from pelvic floor exercises to surgery.
Pelvic floor exercises, done consistently over several months, can meaningfully improve mild to moderate prolapse symptoms.