Appointments & care

At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.

Uterine prolapse occurs when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken, providing inadequate support for the uterus. The uterus then slips down into or protrudes out of the vagina.

Uterine prolapse can happen to women of any age, but it often affects postmenopausal women who've had one or more vaginal deliveries. Weakening of the pelvic muscles that leads to uterine prolapse can be caused by:

• Damage to supportive tissues during pregnancy and childbirth
• Effects of gravity
• Loss of estrogen
• Repeated straining over the years

If you have mild uterine prolapse, treatment usually isn't needed. But if uterine prolapse makes you uncomfortable or disrupts your normal life, you might benefit from treatment.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Uterine prolapse varies in severity. You may have mild uterine prolapse and experience no signs or symptoms. If you have moderate to severe uterine prolapse, you may experience:

• Sensation of heaviness or pulling in your pelvis
• Tissue protruding from your vagina
• Urinary problems, such as urine leakage or urine retention
• Trouble having a bowel movement
• Low back pain
• Feeling as if you're sitting on a small ball or as if something is falling out of your vagina
• Sexual concerns, such as a sensation of looseness in the tone of your vaginal tissue
• Symptoms that are less bothersome in the morning and worsen as the day goes on

When to see a doctor

Uterine prolapse doesn't require treatment unless it's severe. If your signs and symptoms become bothersome and disrupt your normal activities, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Weakening of pelvic muscles and supportive tissues contribute to uterine prolapse. This may happen as a result of:

• Pregnancy
• Trauma during childbirth
• Delivery of a large baby
• Difficult labor and delivery
• Loss of muscle tone
• Less circulating estrogen after menopause

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Appointments & care

At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.

Tests or exams to diagnose uterine prolapse include:

• Pelvic exam. During this exam, your doctor may ask you to bear down as if having a bowel movement, which can help your doctor assess how far the uterus has slipped into your vagina. To check the strength of your pelvic muscles, your doctor may ask you to tighten (contract) them, as if you're stopping the stream of urine. You may be examined while lying down and while standing up.
• Questionnaire. You may fill out a form that helps your doctor assess how uterine prolapse affects your quality of life. This information also helps guide treatment decisions.

Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), aren't generally needed for uterine prolapse. But they're sometimes helpful in assessing the degree of prolapse.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Possible complications of uterine prolapse include:

• Ulcers. In severe cases of uterine prolapse, part of the vaginal lining may be displaced by the fallen uterus and protrude outside your body, rubbing on underwear. The friction may lead to vaginal sores (ulcers). In rare cases, the sores could become infected.
• Prolapse of other pelvic organs. If you experience uterine prolapse, you might also have prolapse of other pelvic organs, including your bladder and rectum. A prolapsed bladder (cystocele) bulges into the front part of your vagina, which can lead to difficulty in urinating and increased risk of urinary tract infections. Weakness of connective tissue overlying the rectum may result in a prolapsed rectum (rectocele), which may lead to difficulty having bowel movements.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Although uterine prolapse isn't always preventable, you may be able to decrease your risk if you:

• Perform Kegel exercises on a regular basis. These exercises can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles — especially important after you have a baby.
• Treat and prevent constipation. Drink plenty of fluids and eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole-grain cereals.
• Avoid heavy lifting and lift correctly. When lifting, use your legs instead of your waist or back.
• Control coughing. Get treatment for a chronic cough or bronchitis, and don't smoke.
• Avoid weight gain. Talk with your doctor to determine your ideal weight and get advice on weight-loss strategies, if you need them.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Depending on the severity of your condition, these self-care measures may help with uterine prolapse:

• Perform Kegel exercises.
• Avoid constipation by eating high-fiber foods and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Avoid heavy lifting and straining.
• Try to control coughing.
• Lose weight if you're overweight or obese.

Kegel exercises

Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder and bowel. A strong pelvic floor provides better support for your pelvic organs and relief from symptoms associated with uterine prolapse.

To perform Kegel exercises, follow these steps:

• Tighten (contract) your pelvic floor muscles — the muscles you use to stop urinating.
• Hold the contraction for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. (If this is too difficult, start by holding for two seconds and relaxing for three seconds.)
• Work up to holding the contractions for 10 seconds at a time.
• Do three sets of 10 repetitions each day.

Ask your health care provider for feedback on whether you're using the right muscles. Kegel exercises may be most successful when they're taught by a physical therapist and reinforced with biofeedback. Biofeedback involves using monitoring devices that help ensure you're tightening the proper muscles with optimal intensity and length of time.

Once you've learned the proper method, you can do Kegel exercises discreetly just about anytime, whether you're sitting at your desk or relaxing on the couch.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Certain factors may increase your risk of uterine prolapse:

• One or more pregnancies and vaginal births
• Giving birth to a large baby
• Increasing age
• Frequent heavy lifting
• Chronic coughing
• Prior pelvic surgery
• Frequent straining during bowel movements
• Genetic predisposition to weakness in connective tissue
• Being Hispanic or white

Some conditions — such as obesity, chronic constipation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — can place a strain on the muscles and connective tissue in your pelvis and may play a role in the development of uterine prolapse.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com