Types of Prolapse

Types of Prolapse

A prolapse is a condition where one or more pelvic organs drop or droop from their usual position. There are several types of prolapse, with different names depending on which part of the body is affected.

All of the different names (often for parts of the body that are located close together, and that you can’t physically see) can be confusing, so we’re here to help with our guide to the different types of prolapse. As pelvic floor experts, we have a dedicated range of guides to different prolapse types, as well as plenty of information on how you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles to help precent prolapses in the future.  

Just to note, while men can also experience prolapse, there are more types of prolapse that can affect women specifically, with several types of vaginal prolapse that can be medically very serious. In this guide, we’ll be primarily focusing on the types of prolapse that affect women.

What is a prolapse?

A Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is a condition where one or more of the pelvic organs (e.g. uterus, bladder, vagina, rectum) droop from their usual healthy position in a women's pelvis, and fall down towards the vagina.

Muscles, ligaments and skin, in and around the vagina, support and hold the female pelvic organs and tissues in place by acting as a hammock. However, pregnancy, childbirth, ageing, and the menopause, all contribute to the stretching and weakening of these pelvic floor muscles.

The result can be a pelvic organ prolapse - where the pelvic organs or even the vagina itself fall out of their normal position. Once one organ begins to droop, you are more likely to experience further prolapses as the organs act as support for each other and often prolapse as a result of the same things.

Prolapses are more common than you might think

Many women are understandably embarrassed to discuss this condition, due to its intimate nature and the perceived stigma of the symptoms. But you're far from alone, with 1 in 3 women suffering from a pelvic floor issue during their life time. Around 40% of women will be affected by a vaginal prolapse by the time we reach our 60's, and this figure rises to 50% of us over 50. Studies suggest that with each year, a women becomes 12% more likely to suffer from a severe pelvic organ prolapse due to the natural weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Unfortunately, once one pelvic organ prolapse has occurred, the same prolapse is likely to occur again.

Are prolapses serious?

Although not life-threatening, a pelvic organ prolapse can cause severe pain and discomfort, especially in later stages if the prolapse becomes exposed outside of your vagina. A pelvic organ prolapse is associated with multiple health conditions, including urinary and rectal incontinence, discomfort or pain during sex, and commonly the feeling of something falling out of your vagina. Thankfully, mild and moderate pelvic organ prolapses are relatively easy to treat with an adjustment of your lifestyle and the introduction of pelvic floor exercises and other non-surgical treatments.

As with most medical problems, it’s important not to put off treatment. Allowing your prolapse to go untreated for a long period of time leads to even weaker pelvic floor muscles and damage to associated nerves - increasing the risk of a prolapse reoccurring. So avoid unnecessary delays and speak to your doctor if you have any concerns.

What are the different types of prolapse? 

Take a look at our guides to learn more about the most common types of prolapse a women can experience as a result of a weakened pelvic floor. There are multiple types of vaginal prolapse, as well as types of prolapse that affect the rectum and bladder, which can also affect men. Each article contains details of the symptoms, a range of preventative measures and what treatment options are available:

Vaginal prolapse or Apical Prolapse

A vaginal prolapse is when the vagina itself, falls out of its normal position. It can droop down until it protrudes from the body. It is often followed by further pelvic organ prolapses.

Vaginal vault prolapse

A vaginal vault prolapse is experienced when the top part of the vaginal wall loses its strength and droops downwards into the vaginal canal. 72% of women suffering from a vaginal vault prolapse suffer further pelvic organ prolapses.

Bladder prolapse

 A bladder prolapse is the drooping of the bladder into the front, anterior wall, of the vagina. As such, it can only occur in women. The three main types of bladder prolapse are cystocele, urethrocele and cystourethrocele.

Cystocele or Front Wall Prolpase

Front (anterior) wall prolapse (previously cystocele, urethrocele) The most prevalent form of prolapse; this is where the bladder drops downwards onto the front, anterior wall, of the vagina.

Urethrocele

A type of bladder prolapse, a urethrocele is the prolapse of the urethra (tube that takes urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) into the vagina. This is also referred to as a Front Wall Prolpase, although it is not very common.

Uterine prolapse or Apical Prolapse fig 3

Apical Prolapse (previously uterine or cervix prolapse).  A uterine prolapse is the name for when the uterus weakens and bulges into the vaginal space, and in later stages protrudes outside the vagina. It is commonly followed by cystocele and rectocele prolapses due to the loss of support the uterus naturally provides.

Enterocele

An enterocele is the prolapse of the small bowel (small intestine) into the upper wall of the vagina.

Rectal prolapse or Back Wall Prolpase

A rectal prolapse or back wall (posterior) prolapse can occur in men and women of all ages. It is the name for the prolapse where the rectum, and rectal tissue, droops and protrudes visibly from the anus either partially or completely. Rectal prolapse can feel like haemorrhoids.

Rectocele 

Similarly to a rectal prolapse, a rectocele involves the weakening of the rectum and rectal tissue. A rectocele, however, can only occur in women as is in this condition the rectum bulges internally into the vagina, and in severe cases, protrudes out of the vaginal opening.

Perineal Descent

Perineal descent, or descending perineum syndrome, is when the perineum (the area between the anus and the scrotum/vulva) bulges down and prolapses below the bony outlet of the pelvis.

FREE ebook - download a copy to Learn More About Prolapse, signs symptoms and how to manage your prolapse.

How can I avoid a pelvic organ prolapse?

Even if you’re young and haven’t had children, adding pelvic floor exercises to your daily routine can prevent a pelvic organ prolapse from occurring.

If you have already fallen victim to a pelvic organ prolapse, you can read more about each common prolapse type below and the specific treatments available. You will notice all pelvic organ prolapses have a common theme - strengthening the pelvic floor.

Here at Kegel8, we’re passionate about educating people about the pelvic floor, and the benefits of pelvic exercise for everyone. For more information about pelvic floor exercises, or Kegel exercises, check out our guide on how to do Kegels.

Using a pelvic toner can also really help to strengthen your pelvic floor, which helps to avoid multiple types of prolapse – for more, check out our range of women’s pelvic toners.

Sources

Farag, K. A. Uzoma, A. (2009) Obstetrics and Gynecology International. Vaginal Vault Prolapse. [online] 275621, p1-9. [viewed 29/10/2024]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2778877/

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (Updated May 2022). Information for you, Pelvic organ prolapse [online] Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2013 [viewed 29/10/2024]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pelvic-organ-prolapse/

National Library of Medicine (2022). Global burden and trends of pelvic organ prolapse associated with aging women: An observational trend study from 1990 to 2019 [viewed 29/10/2024]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9521163/

Women's Health Concern. (2021, reviewed 2024). Prolapse: Uterine and vaginal [online] Women's Health Concern, 2015 [viewed 29/10/2024]. Available from: https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/21-WHC-FACTSHEET-Prolapse-NOV2022-B.pdf