New study aimed at helping women with pelvic prolapse

A new £1.1million trial led by Stirling University will assess whether a self-management programme could help improve the lives of women suffering pelvic organ prolapse.

The condition affects around 40 per cent of women aged over 40 and occurs when pelvic organs – the bladder, bowel or womb – descend into the vagina, causing distressing symptoms. Two-thirds initially choose to be fitted with a medical device to support the pelvic organs.

The new research will assess if self-management is more effective at improving quality of life compared to standard care, and also compare their costs to the NHS and for women.

The 330 women recruited over a 15-month period will be randomly allocated to either standard care or self-management.