Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse is a serious condition that should not be left aside, but treated with utmost urgency. Learn all about this condition and prevention methods.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Uterine prolapse is a medical condition where the uterus moves down from its usual position into or beyond the vaginal canal. The primary reason for this phenomenon is the weak pelvic muscles and ligaments. The normal position of the uterus is maintained by a network of tissues and muscles, which together form the pelvic floor. When these supporting structures become weak, it leads to this condition where the uterus shifts from its original position. The uterus is a crucial component of women's reproductive system, which plays a major role in foetal development during pregnancy. Women of all ages often have this problem after giving birth or going through menopause.
Causes of Uterine Prolapse
Several things can weaken the pelvic muscles and connective parts, which can cause the uterus to collapse. Some common reasons are:
Vaginal Birth: The risk goes up when women give birth to one or more kids vaginally.
Age-Related Changes: Pelvic muscles weaken with age and when oestrogen levels drop after menopause.
Long-Term Illnesses: Chronic and long-term conditions like asthma, cough, bronchitis, etc., can stress the pelvic muscles and reduce their strength.
A Genetic Predisposition: Sometimes, a family history of uterine prolapse can also lead a woman to this condition.
Prior Pelvic Surgeries: Previous pelvic surgeries can also lead to this condition as it makes the pelvic floor less stable.
Obesity: Being overweight also puts excessive stress on the pelvic muscles and connective tissues, which often leads to uterine prolapse.
Besides these, a person's lifestyle choices, like lifting big things or doing hard physical activities, can also raise the chance of uterine prolapse.
Symptoms of Uterine Prolapse
Some of the early signs of uterine prolapse are:
A sensation of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
Experiencing pain in the pelvic region, abdomen and lower back
More fluid secretion from the vaginal area
Leaking urine and frequent need for urination
Difficulty in bowel movement
Painful intercourse
These first symptoms might come and go and get worse if someone stands or does physical exercise for a long time. Seeing these signs early is essential to intervening and finding treatment.
As the condition progresses, more severe symptoms can develop, such as:
The uterus or cervix visibly bulging into the vaginal opening
Consistent bladder infection
Difficulty in emptying the bladder
Bleeding or sores in the vaginal area
Advanced uterine prolapse can have a significant effect on the daily life and mental health of the affected women, so it is essential to consult a doctor.
Consult Top Obstetrics and gynaecologist
Diagnosis
One way to tell if someone has uterine collapse is to look at their pelvis. During this check, the patient may be asked to bend over to show how far the uterus has dropped. Here, the doctors look for two conditions, they are:
Cystocele: The bladder bulging into the vagina
Rectocele: The rectum bulging into the vagina
The physical examination helps doctors understand the patient's current condition. However, they may recommend additional imaging tests to get a full picture. This process includes MRIs and ultrasounds to determine the extent of the slippage and find any other problems with the pelvis. These tests prove particularly beneficial in severe cases of uterine prolapse or while planning surgery.
Stages of Uterine Prolapse
There are different steps of uterine collapse based on how far the uterus has dropped:
Mild Prolapses: In this stage, the cervix falls into the lower vagina
Moderate Prolapse: In this stage, cervix sticks out through the hole in the uterus
Severe Prolapse: In this stage, the whole uterus is outside the opening of the uterus
The grading method helps doctors determine the severity of a condition so they can treat it as effectively as possible. People with mild cases may need to change their lifestyle, while people with mild to serious cases usually need medical or surgical help. In the early stages, non-invasive choices are generally best, but for later stages, individuals may require corrective surgery or a hysterectomy.
Treatment Options
There are two ways to deal with uterine prolapse: surgical and non-surgical processes. The goal of non-surgical choices is to control symptoms and stop them from getting worse. The options include:
Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle changes include losing weight, getting professional help for a persistent cough, and not doing heavy work.
Exercises for The Pelvic Floor: Doing Kegels regularly helps strengthen the muscles on the pelvic floor.
Vaginal Pessary: When put into the vagina, a vaginal pessary supports the uterus. A healthcare worker needs to clean and fit pessaries daily.
Alternatively, surgery may be an option when the situation worsens and has a big effect on the quality of life. The following are popular options:
Sacrospinous Fixation: This type of stabilisation uses ligaments to hold the uterus in place.
Hysterectomy: A procedure that removes the uterus and usually involves fixing the walls of the uterus, the bladder, or the rectum.
Complications Arising from Uterine Prolapse
Uterine prolapse significantly affects the quality of life in women. Individuals struggle in their daily lives, and often, due to the embarrassment, they hide it from others. As a result, by the time of medical intervention, the condition gets worse, leading to a surgical intervention. Additionally, experiencing excruciating pain while completing daily activities often disturbs the mood of the women, making them sad and angry.
Along with the psychological effects of this condition, ignoring it can also lead to serious medical conditions like:
Ulceration and infection of the cervix and vaginal walls
Urinary tract infections due to bladder prolapse (cystocele).
Constipation and haemorrhoids are caused by rectal prolapse (rectocele).
Prevention Strategies
Some preventative measures to stop uterine prolapse are:
Maintaining weight as it takes the pressure off of the pelvic floor
Avoid lifting heavy objects
Managing chronic conditions like cough or asthma
Along with these, practising pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can also help. Regular exercise can stop prolapse and help people with mild cases feel better.
Living with Uterine Prolapse
Living with uterine prolapse is not easy, but it is not impossible as well. Adhering to the following coping strategies can help individuals manage this condition and get better:
Adjusting to the symptoms and getting timely help is important
Joining support groups can be helpful for women
Using aids, such as pessaries, to make themselves more comfortable
Emotional support from family and friends helps immensely
A crucial part of living with uterine prolapse is regular check-ups. After diagnosis and commencing the treatment, individuals need to consult doctors periodically for an assessment of the condition. Based on that, the doctors will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that affected women live healthy lives.
Conclusion
Uterine prolapse is a challenging condition that affects many women, especially those who have experienced multiple childbirth or menopause. Therefore, understanding its causes, symptoms, and stages is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management. While lifestyle changes help in the initial stages, the advanced cases need surgical intervention. However, patients should focus on implementing preventive measures and regular check-ups to ensure that they get better without affecting their mental well-being.
Consult Top Obstetrics and gynaecologist
Consult Top Obstetrics and gynaecologist
Dr. Shailaja L
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
16 Years • MBBS, MS
Bangalore
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Karnataka, Bangalore
Dr. Alapati Jyotsna
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
4 Years • MBBS MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr Swatika Kumari
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
19 Years • MBBS, DGO, DNB Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Nashik
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Maharashtra, Nashik
Dr. Pallab Roy
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
6 Years • MBBS, MS Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kolkata
Dr Pallab Roy, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Debashree Saha
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
4 Years • MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Kolkata
DR. DEBASHREE SAHA Clinic, Kolkata
Consult Top Obstetrics and gynaecologist
Dr. Shailaja L
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
16 Years • MBBS, MS
Bangalore
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Karnataka, Bangalore
Dr. Alapati Jyotsna
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
4 Years • MBBS MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Visakhapatnam
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam
Dr Swatika Kumari
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
19 Years • MBBS, DGO, DNB Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Nashik
Apollo 24|7 Clinic - Maharashtra, Nashik
Dr. Pallab Roy
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
6 Years • MBBS, MS Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kolkata
Dr Pallab Roy, Kolkata
(25+ Patients)
Dr. Debashree Saha
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
4 Years • MBBS, MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
Kolkata
DR. DEBASHREE SAHA Clinic, Kolkata
