Vaginal Prolapse: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - University of Washington Urology

According to the University of Washington Department of Urology, vaginal prolapse describes a weakness in the vaginal walls that allows pelvic organs to fall into the vagina.

Symptoms

• Women who have vaginal prolapse often experience pressure or fullness in the vagina, painful intercourse or abdominal pain.

Causes

• Vaginal prolapse can be caused by vaginal childbirth if a woman has a long labor, births of multiples or gives birth to a large baby. It can also be caused by menopause and aging.

Testing

• A gynecologist or primary care physician can diagnose vaginal prolapse through a physical exam. It can also be confirmed through lab tests or medical imaging, but that is not often needed.

Treatment

• Doctors treat vaginal prolapse through surgery or by using a pessary. Surgery is used to repair the vaginal defect that is causing the prolapse and a pessary is nonsurgical device that supports the prolapsed part of the vagina.

Complications

• Vaginal prolapse can lead to several problems, including bladder infections, kidney damage or ulcerations.