Uterine Prolapse

What Is It?

Uterine prolapse is a form of pelvic organ prolapse in which the muscles and tissues around the uterus weaken. This causes the uterus to sag or drop into the vagina. It can happen to anyone who has given birth, but it is most common after menopause and in women who have had more than one vaginal delivery.

The muscles, ligaments and tissues at the base of the pelvis are called the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the uterus, rectum, vagina, bladder and other pelvic organs. When the pelvic floor muscles are too damaged or weak to provide support, these organs prolapse. The pelvic organs can drop into the vagina or protrude outside it.

Uterine prolapse can be mild or severe, depending on how much the pelvic floor muscles supporting the uterus have weakened. In an incomplete prolapse, the uterus may have dropped far enough to sit in the middle of the vagina, forming a lump or bulge. In more severe cases, the uterus can drop far enough to come out of the vagina. This is called complete prolapse.