Up to 75% of women will experience pelvic organ prolapse

“Many people don’t talk about pelvic organ prolapse because

they consider it taboo,” says Benjamin M. Brucker, M.D., assistant professor of urology and obstetricsgynecology at NYU Langone Health. But it’s incredibly common: According to research in the journal Menopause, the condition (in which the bladder, uterus or rectum descends into the vagina or bulges into the vaginal wall) affects 50% to 75% of women between the ages of 30 to 59.

Risk of pelvic organ prolapse increases with age, as body tissues get lax. But the most common causes are pregnancy and childbirth. “There also seems to be a hereditary component,” adds Kimberly Kenton, M.D., chief of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. And obesity raises the risk by 47%.

An ob-gyn or urogynecologist can diagnose prolapse during an exam. Symptoms include a feeling of pressure in the vagina, a pulling feeling in the groin, constipation, trouble emptying the bladder and/or pain during sex.

Treatment is warranted if the symptoms are bothersome. And that doesn’t just mean physical discomfort, says Dr. Brucker. “Prolapse can have a negative impact on sexuality and body image and can lead to depression and social isolation.” Adds Dr. Kenton: “It’s a quality of life issue—you don’t have to live with it.” If a woman has early prolapse, pelvic floor muscle training such as physical therapy or Kegel exercises may prevent worsening of the condition, she says. For moderate to more severe prolapse, a custom-fitted silicone device called a pessary can be placed in the vagina to support the pelvic organs. For later stages, reconstructive surgery may be needed.