Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Have you noticed a feeling of heaviness or bulging in the pelvic area? Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs become weaker. Patients at Prologue Wellness can undergo an assessment to understand their condition and discuss suitable management options.

What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)?

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) occurs when one or more pelvic organs, such as the uterus, bladder, rectum, or vaginal vault, descend due to weakened support structures in the pelvic floor. This can lead to a prolapsed womb, bladder (cystocele), rectum (rectocele), small bowel (enterocele), or vaginal vault (often after hysterectomy).

Types of Prolapse:

Cystocele

This happens when the bladder moves downward and bulges into the vaginal wall. It may cause symptoms such as a feeling of pressure or difficulty fully emptying the bladder.

Rectocele / Enterocele

A rectocele forms when the wall of the rectum presses into the vagina, while an enterocele involves the small bowel pushing downward. These may cause a sensation of fullness or difficulty with bowel movements.

Uterine Prolapse

This occurs when the uterus slips down into the vagina. Some patients may notice a bulge or heaviness in the pelvic area.

Vault Prolapse

Vault prolapse refers to the top of the vaginal canal shifting downward after a hysterectomy. It may lead to feelings of heaviness, pressure, or tissue bulging.

Causes & Risk Factors of Pelvic Organic Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse develops gradually, often due to life events and changes. Common risk factors include:

  • Age-related weakening of muscles and connective tissue, especially after menopause
  • Pregnancy and childbirth (multiple births, large babies, prolonged or assisted labour)
  • Hormonal decline in estrogen post-menopause
  • Increased abdominal pressure from chronic cough, constipation, obesity, or heavy lifting
  • Prior pelvic surgery or hysterectomy
  • Genetic predisposition or collagen deficiency

Symptoms & Signs of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic floor prolapse may cause a range of symptoms, but often includes:

  • Feeling of pressure or fullness in the vaginal area (may protrude outside in severe cases)
  • Pelvic heaviness, pressure, or dragging sensation
  • Symptoms worsen later in the day or with standing and physical activity.
  • Urinary issues such as urgency, frequency, incomplete emptying, or retention
  • Bowel symptoms, including constipation, difficulty passing stools, or needing to push the prolapse back to aid defecation
  • Pain or discomfort during intercourse
  • Backache or lower abdominal pain
  • Vaginal discharge or bleeding unrelated to periods
  •  

Grading / Severity Levels

Pelvic organ prolapse is typically graded in stages:

  • Mild (Grade 1): The organ descends slightly but remains inside the vagina.
  • Moderate (Grade 2): The organ reaches the vaginal opening.
  • Severe (Grades 3–4): The organ protrudes outside the vagina.

Diagnosis & Evaluation

A proper diagnosis ensures the most suitable treatment. Evaluation usually includes:

Diagnosis & Evaluation

Understanding pelvic organ prolapse usually begins with a few basic steps. These help to identify what is happening and guide the choice of management.

Medical History

You may be asked about childbirth, bladder habits and bowel patterns. This helps the doctor better understand your symptoms.

Pelvic Examination

A doctor will check the pelvic area to see which organs are affected and how much they have shifted. This helps identify the stage of prolapse.

Investigations

Sometimes, tests such as an ultrasound or bladder function study may be suggested. These provide more details about the condition when needed.

Treatment Options for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse can be managed through non-surgical or surgical approaches, depending on individual symptoms and needs. Here are treatment decisions that are best made after medical assessment:

Lifestyle Changes and Health Coaching

Healthy habits such as maintaining an ideal weight, managing constipation, or limiting heavy lifting may help reduce strain on the pelvic floor. Our health coaching services guide patients in making sustainable lifestyle adjustments that support long-term pelvic health.

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Specialised exercises guided by a physiotherapist can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Improved muscle tone may provide better support for the pelvic organs and reduce symptoms.

BTL Emsella

BTL Emsella is a non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to stimulate and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. It offers patients a convenient option without downtime and may be recommended as part of a broader treatment plan.

Other Non-Surgical Options

  • Vaginal Pessaries: A device placed in the vagina to provide structural support, which may relieve symptoms in some patients.
  • Local Oestrogen Therapy: For post-menopausal women, local oestrogen may help improve vaginal tissue health.

Surgical options are also available in certain cases and these should be discussed with a specialist to determine suitability.

Prevention & Self-Care

While not all cases can be prevented, these strategies may reduce risk and recurrence:

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Regular pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises may support muscle strengthening and support the organs.

Avoiding Strain

Managing constipation and limiting heavy lifting may reduce unnecessary pressure on the pelvic area.

Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight helps to lower the strain on pelvic structures.

Hormone Therapy (Post-Menopause)

For some post-menopausal women, local hormone therapy may be discussed with a doctor if appropriate.

Complications & Impact on Quality of Life

If left untreated, prolapse can affect daily life and overall well-being:

Urinary Issues

Prolapse can sometimes cause difficulty controlling urine or increase the risk of urinary infections.

Bowel Symptoms

Some individuals may experience constipation, straining, or incomplete bowel movements.

Sexual Function

Prolapse may cause discomfort or pain during sexual activity.

Emotional Impact

Feelings such as worry, embarrassment, or reduced self-esteem may occur in some patients.

Progression Over Time

In some instances, prolapse may become more severe if not managed.

FAQ

Is pelvic organ prolapse common?

Yes, it is common, especially among women who have given birth or are post-menopausal.

Mild prolapse may improve with pelvic floor exercises, but moderate to severe cases often need medical support.

Not always, but multiple or complex births can increase the risk.

If you feel a bulge, pressure, or experience bladder or bowel difficulties, seek medical advice early.

Ferinn Wong

After a few sessions, my DR gap improved and i also noticed less bloating. I can fit into my clothes better too.

Amanda Lim

Jodie has been such a great help in my health journey! She really took the time to help me understand my body and gave super practical tips that actually fit into my daily routine. I learned so much about portion control, and I love how she explained how nutrition and exercise can be adjusted around the menstrual cycle — it made everything click for me. She’s knowledgeable, approachable, and easy to talk to. I feel a lot more confident now about making choices that work for me. Highly recommend her!

Amanda Lim

Prologue Wellness takes a truly holistic approach to weight management and well-being. Instead of quick fixes, they focus on educating clients about proper nutrition, helping us build sustainable habits that improve both health and quality of life.

I also love their Clinical Core & Flow programme, which combines physiotherapy, Pilates, and yoga. It creates a supportive environment for women of all fitness levels.

On top of that, they offer innovative non-invasive treatments like Exion Body, Vanquish Me, and EmBody. These complement their holistic programmes perfectly by supporting body contouring, fat reduction, and muscle strengthening in a safe, effective way.

The team, especially Jodie, Shonia and Serene, are professional, caring, and genuinely invested in their clients’ well-being. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a place that integrates science, movement, and holistic care.

Samantha Lim

The staff’s warmth, support, and use of technology have helped me improve my postpartum core muscles and pelvic floor health

Jean Toh

The struggles of postpartum recovery are real, and I’m so thankful to have found Prologue, a women’s wellness centre that truly understands and supports mothers like me.

Like many postpartum mums, I’ve been dealing with diastasis recti, a bulging tummy that makes me look pregnant, urinary incontinence that limits my activity with my kids, and difficulty losing pregnancy weight due to stress eating and late nights.

Since starting my personalised treatment plan here, I’ve seen real improvements. Weekly sessions with my nutritionist, Jodie, have helped me eat in a balanced and sustainable way. Physiotherapy sessions with Chloe and Jodie have strengthened my core and pelvic floor, while the Emsella chair has improved my incontinence. Embody treatments are helping with my DR, shockwave therapy is reducing bloating and stretch marks, and Exion Body treatments are tightening loose skin.

I’m truly grateful for the professional, encouraging, and caring team at Prologue who have supported me every step of the way. Highly recommended to any postpartum mother looking to recover, rebuild, and regain confidence.

Fleur Bloom

Thank you Prologue, especially Shonia, Serene and Jodie who never cease to bring their bright smiles to every session. Seeing progress so far and looking forward to more!

Eunice Ee

I had a a great experience at Prologue Wellness. The staff was friendly, professional, and efficient from the moment I walked in. The facility was clean and well-organized, and consultant and doctor took the time to explain everything clearly.Highly recommend!

Valerie Boh

Would highly highly recommend this place to postpartum ladies. Other than the many machine services to help with various issues such as DR, weak pelvic floor muscles and loose skin, they also have trained nutritionist and physiotherapist to help provide a holistic recovery experience! Truly glad that Proloque team has helped to resolved my DR and I have seen improvements in my core and pelvic floor muscles! Lastly, the space here is nicely done up and the team of ladies here are very friendly and professional.