Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse happens when an organ in your pelvis slips from its position and bulges into your vagina or rectum. It develops when your pelvic floor—a system of muscles, nerves, and tissue—weakens and can’t support the organs.

Although pelvic organ prolapse is more common in persons assigned female at birth, it can also affect persons assigned male at birth.

Affected organs can include:

• Bladder
• Rectum
• Small and large intestines
• Uterus
• Vagina

At Penn Medicine, you receive expert care for pelvic organ prolapse from providers who focus on conditions that affect pelvic health. With our advanced treatment options and expertise, we’ll help you find relief, even if previous treatments failed.

There are several types of pelvic organ prolapse based on the affected organ, including:

• Cystocele (anterior vaginal wall prolapse): The front vaginal wall sags and allows your bladder to drop into your vagina.
• Enterocele (small bowel prolapse): Part of your small intestine presses into your vagina.
• Rectal prolapse: Part of your rectum bulges into your anus.
• Rectocele (posterior vaginal wall prolapse): The back vaginal wall sags, allowing your rectum to press into your vagina.
• Uterine prolapse: Your uterus drops into your vagina.
• Vaginal vault prolapse: The top part of your vagina sags lower into the vagina.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a pelvic floor disorder, along with urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence. At Penn Medicine, our experienced team includes specialists in pelvic medicine and pelvic floor support. We offer compassionate, comprehensive care for people with all types of pelvic organ prolapse. We can help improve your health and quality of life.

Pelvic organ prolapse doesn’t always cause symptoms. When it does, they may vary based on the type of prolapse. Symptoms may include:

• Bowel symptoms, such as difficulty with bowel movements or accidental bowel leakage
• Bulge of tissue from your vaginal opening that you can see or feel
• Discomfort in your groin or lower back
• Feeling pressure or fullness in your lower belly, especially during physical activity
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Urinary problems, such as urine leaks, overactive bladder, and slow urine stream

Many factors and conditions can lead to a weakened pelvic floor and organ prolapse, including:

• Age
• Continued pressure on your pelvic area from obesity, coughing, constipation, or uterine fibroids
• Injury to your pelvis
• Menopause
• Neuromuscular disorders that affect muscle movement, including multiple sclerosis
• Pelvic surgery
• Pregnancy and vaginal childbirth