Pelvic floor dysfunction can present in many ways including a sensation of a bulge in the vagina, dragging pelvic sensation, bladder weakness or frequency, constipation or difficulty with intercourse. The risk factors for pelvic floor weakness include childbirth, particularly delivery of a large baby, prolonged labour or difficult birth, increasing age, family history, number of children and postmenopause.
Although a prolapse is rarely a dangerous condition, it may affect your quality of life significantly, will often worsen over time and is unlikely to resolve spontaneously.
Managing a prolapse can involve regular pelvic floor exercises, particularly under the guidance of an expert physiotherapist, hormone treatments, vaginal pessaries and surgery. Surgical options are designed to restore the anatomy of the pelvic organs and the exact type of operation is usually tailored to each woman on a case by case basis.