Prevention

A vaginal / pelvic organ prolapse is when a pelvic organ slips down into the vaginal space, bulging uncomfortably (and often painfully) into the vagina. Developed prolapses can eventually protrude outside of the vagina, taking the vaginal walls with it. In each case the prolapse has occurred because the pelvic floor muscles have been weakened and can no longer do their job of holding everything in place. There are many reasons why your pelvic floor muscles can weaken. It could be as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, being overweight or obese, the menopause, heavy lifting, persist coughing, or performing regular high intensity exercise. Take a look at our causes and symptoms section for more details and what early warning signs you can look out for.

Vaginal prolapses are uncomfortable and painful, not to mention embarrassing. They can cause symptoms like urinary or faecal incontinence and can affect our enjoyment of sex...

How Can Pelvic Floor Exercises Prevent Pelvic Organ Prolapses?

The pelvic floor is a group of thick, strong muscles and ligaments that sit at the bottom of the pelvic area. Their job is to hold all of the pelvic organs in place, by acting as a muscular hammock. However, like all muscles in the body, if you don’t exercise them, then you lose them. If the pelvic floor muscles become weak and loosen, then they can no longer do their job as effectively. A weak pelvic floor is the leading cause of pelvic organ prolapses.

Pelvic floor, or Kegel exercises are designed to keep the pelvic floor muscles strong. They’re the best defence both against a pelvic organ prolapse, or if you already have one, preventing it from getting any worse and strengthening the muscles to bring the organ back into position. Even if a pelvic organ prolapse is so severe that it requires...