What Does Vaginal Prolapse Feel Like?
Understanding the sensations and symptoms and starting to create solutions.
Vaginal prolapse also known as pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the pelvic organs or parts drop into the vaginal canal or in severe cases even out.
Let's explore the different types and severities of prolapse, what sensations accompany the condition, and what to do about it.
Before we start summing up the many sensations that could occur during vaginal prolapse, let's first talk about what exactly is happening in the body.
Our pelvic organs are held up and supported by a network of muscles called the pelvic floor and other supportive connective tissue such as ligaments. When these tissues become too laxed they are unable to support and hold the organs in their appropriate position. This leads to them starting to prolapse or fall into the vaginal canal- pressing into the walls of the vaginal canal or in the case of the uterus occasionally and in severe instances even out of the vaginal opening.
Depending on what organ is affected it will create some variability in symptoms. There are also different names for each type of prolapse:
Cystocele: when the urinary bladder is unsupported and displaced leaning into the anterior wall of the vaginal canal
Urethrocele: when the urethra the tube where urine passes from the urinary bladder to the outside world is unsupported and prolapses
Rectocele: when the rectum portion of the colon is unsupported and starts to drop into the posterior wall of the vaginal canal
Uterine Prolapse: when the uterus starts to drop into the vaginal canal and in severe cases even out of the vaginal opening
Prolapse can be brought on by a number of things often to do with excess pressure:
Pregnancy - creating a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor as a new being grows within the abdomen
Childbirth - the downward pressure and excess stretch that is called upon for the muscles of our pelvis can strain the structures that support our pelvic organs leading to possible prolapse
Heavy lifting - bearing down with heavy lifting can create excessive pressure on the structures meant to support the pelvic organs leading to potential prolapse
Chronic constipation - straining to try to empty the bowel with chronic constipation again creates that downward pressure and bearing down straining the supportive structures to the pelvic organs
Chronic coughing or sneezing - coughing and sneezing creates higher inner abdominal pressure if our pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are not allowing for this pressure change it can cause excessive downward pressure on the structures meant to support the pelvic organs
Hysterectomy - the removal of an organ that has supportive structures such as the uterine ligaments can change the orientation of the organs that are still remaining within the pelvis without the uterus to take up the space it once did this can occasionally lead to displacement and even prolapse in the other pelvic organs
Menopause - with the change in hormones this affects muscle tone and strength throughout the body and this can lead to weakness in the pelvic floor and muscles that support our pelvic organs
With the different parts of the pelvis potentially affected by the condition our symptoms will vary.
Some general symptoms that can occur with any of the variations include:
Heaviness or fullness in the pelvis - it is often to have a full or heavy feeling in the pelvic bowl when suffering from a prolapse
Lower back pain - or almost a sensation as something pulling on your lower back from the inside
Lower abdominal discomfort - similar to lower back pain a sensation as if something is pulling down on the lower abdomen from the inside
Pain or discomfort with penetration - this could be painful sex or even pain or discomfort with the use of internal period products
More specific symptoms when the bladder or urethra are involved:
Difficulty emptying the bladder
Incontinence or urine leakage
Urgency and frequency - often feeling the intense urge to urinate with little fluid actually being emptied
Difficulty to feel completely relieved
Symptoms more common with prolapse involving the colon:
Chronic constipation
The need to splint or press against the posterior vaginal wall to empty the bowel
If any of these, especially if multiples of these sound familiar and are part of your daily experience I highly recommend talking to your physician for an appropriate diagnosis. There are different levels of severity in prolapse and depending on that severity is going to depend on the course of action.
Stage 1: a mild prolapse with minimal movement of the pelvic organ
Stage 2: the pelvic organ has begun to significantly be displaced
Stage 3: the organ can be seen at the vaginal opening
Stage 4: the most severe where the pelvic organ is bulging out of the vaginal opening
Is pelvic prolapse treatable?
The good news is pelvic prolapse can be managed and potentially reversed.
Step 1 - Talk to your doctor get a diagnosis and start to understand the severity and what organs are involved. Once this information is gathered you have a much better idea what to do going forward.
Step 2 - Begin to see a specialist in movement therapy and the pelvic floor this could look like a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Step 3 - Lifestyle changes. Leading a healthy lifestyle, keeping active, maintaining a healthy body weight, and optimizing the way you breathe can all help support the stability of your pelvic organs.
Step 4 - Your physical therapist or Dr might recommend the use of a pessary, this is something that would be inserted into the vaginal canal to help create more structural support nice to be used in tandem with your movement therapy to support the organ while you start to build back the strength to support it from within.
Step 5 - If the prolapse persists or is too severe to start with movement therapy, surgery might be the best solution. Make sure post-surgery to again work with a movement therapist setting yourself up for the best outcome.
Although not normal uterine prolapse can be common. Early intervention is one of the best ways to manage and even reverse this condition. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, I encourage you to not hesitate and start discovering the best treatment plan for you.