Pelvic Organ Prolapse

​​Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) occurs when there is a weakness in pelvic floor muscles or the connective tissue within the pelvis that causes one or more of the pelvic organs to slip or bulge into the vagina. The pelvic organs that can prolapse include the uterus, vagina, bladder, or rectum. Weakness can occur for a number of reasons, but the most common include childbirth, aging, obesity, chronic constipation, and frequent heavy lifting (with improper lifting mechanics). 

Common symptoms of POP include: pelvic heaviness, pelvic pressure, low back pain, and issues with urination and/or defecation. 

​Symptom severity is dependent on the type of prolapse and the stage/severity. Your provider (Gynecologist or PT) will determine the severity of the prolapse, and it is labeled by a staging system. Stage 0- Stage 4. Stage 0 is no descent or no shift of the organs. Stage 4 is a complete prolapse, with bulging completely outside the vagina. 

Like many other musculoskeletal conditions, treatment for pelvic organ prolapse includes surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. 

Pelvic floor physical therapy is often utilized as the first line of treatment. By performing specific exercises, we can improve the strength and coordination of the pelvic floor musculature, which can reduce your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. 

A pelvic floor PT can perform a thorough evaluation to assess your pelvic floor and determine a treatment plan to improve your symptoms. 

For more information regarding this topic, feel free to message us or schedule a consultation with Taylor, our pelvic health PT, to find out if you would benefit from physical therapy. 

​Taylor Scott, PT, DPT