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If you’ve recently given birth, your body has experienced many changes. One you might not feel ready for, however, is the shifting of your pelvic organs.

For many women, pelvic organ prolapse is an unpleasant side effect of giving birth. Here’s what you need to know about this common problem and what treatments are available.

What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is when your uterus, bladder, bowel, or vagina moves from its normal position. A pelvic organ prolapse isn’t a life-threatening condition. But it can cause discomfort and pain.

It may occur soon after giving birth, although it often doesn’t happen until years later. (Note: It’s rare for pelvic organ prolapse to occur during pregnancy.) Pelvic organ prolapse can also happen in women who never gave birth.

Types of pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Cystocele. This is the most common type of prolapse, in which the bladder drops into the vagina.
• Enterocele. This is when the small intestine bulges into the vagina.
• Rectocele. This is when the rectum bulges into the vagina.
• Uterine prolapse. This is when the uterus bulges into the vagina. A uterine prolapse after birth is more likely to occur if you’ve had multiple deliveries.
• Vaginal vault prolapse. This is when the top wall of the vagina drops down. It happens most often in someone who has had a hysterectomy.

What Causes Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and connective tissue of the pelvic floor become loose or weak. Typically, these muscles support the pelvic organs like a sling. When they become weak or stretched out, one or more of the pelvic organs may slide down and bulge into the vagina.

Risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Age. Though pelvic floor prolapse can happen right after giving birth, it’s more common in older women.
• Becoming overweight or obese. Extra pounds put more pressure on your pelvic floor.
• Family history. Genetics may affect whether you’re likely to have a pelvic organ prolapse.
• Hormonal changes. During menopause, a loss of estrogen can raise your risk of pelvic organ prolapse.
• Long-term strain on the pelvic floor. If you have a chronic cough or constipation, your pelvic muscles may weaken, making organ prolapse more likely.
• Vaginal childbirth. Prolapse after giving birth is more common in women who’ve had multiple deliveries or given birth to a large baby (more than 8.5 pounds).

What Are Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

You may wonder, “What does a vaginal prolapse look like?” — and how can I tell if I have one?

You can only see a prolapse if an organ is bulging out of the vagina. It’s more likely that you’ll feel some level of discomfort.

There are different levels of pelvic organ prolapse, from mild to severe. You may just notice that something feels “off.” And some women don’t even realize they’ve had a prolapse until a doctor discovers it.

Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:

• Achiness or a heavy, full feeling in the vagina or pelvis.
• Constipation or other problems having a bowel movement.
• Feeling like your bladder is still full after you go to the bathroom.
• Feeling that something is slipping out of your vagina.
• Leaking urine (incontinence).
• Needing to pee a lot or with great urgency.
• Pelvic pressure gets worse during the day or after you’ve been standing for a long time.
• Problems or discomfort inserting a tampon.
• Seeing or feeling a bulge coming out of the vagina.

What Are Treatments for Postpartum Prolapse?

Fortunately, treatment is available for prolapse after giving birth or at any other time in a woman’s life. Your treatment may depend on:

• Whether you plan to have more children.
• Whether you’re sexually active.
• Which organ or organs have prolapsed.
• Your age.
• Your pelvic prolapse’s severity.

If you have symptoms of prolapse after giving birth, make sure you mention it to your doctor at your postpartum checkup. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed about this. Your doctor may recommend starting conservative treatments sooner rather than later.

Nonmedical treatments for pelvic floor prolapse

There are several different ways to treat pelvic organ prolapse without medication or surgery. They include:

• Learning to lift correctly. A physical therapist can show you proper lifting, pulling, and pushing techniques without straining and hurting your pelvic floor muscles.
• Lifestyle changes. You should maintain a healthy weight to avoid excess strain on the pelvic floor. Likewise, treating a chronic cough or constipation will help your pelvic floor muscles work as they should. If you smoke, your doctor will talk to you about how to quit.
• Pelvic floor therapy. This may involve Kegel exercises or contracting and releasing your pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them. A physical therapist can instruct you on how to do Kegels if they’re right for you.
• Pessary. A removable device that you insert into the vagina to support the pelvic organs. They come in different shapes and sizes, depending on your needs. Some treat both pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Surgical treatments for pelvic organ prolapse

If your pelvic organ prolapse is more severe, your doctor may recommend surgery. What type of surgery will depend on your age, sexual activity, and whether you plan to have more children.

• Obliterative surgery. Narrows or closes off the vagina to support the prolapsed organs. You can’t have sexual intercourse after this surgery.
• Reconstructive surgery. This is the most common type of prolapse surgery. It aims to move the organs back to their original positions. Doctors perform some types of reconstructive surgeries through an incision in the vagina. They do others through an incision in the belly or with minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy).

Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you had. Sometimes, a prolapse happens again after treatment. You should talk to your doctor about the best options for your situation.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 7, 2025, and was last reviewed on December 18, 2025.