⛈Vaginal Prolapse: Understanding What It Really Means

Vaginal prolapse is often misunderstood and frequently confused with uterine prolapse.

 In reality, vaginal prolapse is a broader concept that describes the descent of one or more pelvic organs into the vaginal canal due to weakness of the pelvic floor support.

The vagina acts as a central support structure in the pelvis. When the muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic floor weaken, different organs may bulge into the vaginal walls not just the uterus.

🎯Vaginal prolapse can involve:

👁The anterior vaginal wall, where the bladder bulges into the vagina (cystocele).

👁The posterior vaginal wall, where the rectum bulges into the vagina (rectocele).

👁The uterus or vaginal apex, depending on the individual anatomy and history.

This means that not all vaginal bulges are uterine prolapse, and symptoms may vary depending on which structure is involved.

🤔Common symptoms of vaginal prolapse may include:

A feeling of vaginal pressure or heaviness

A sensation of a bulge or something “coming down”.

Discomfort that worsens with standing or physical activity.

Urinary or bowel symptoms, depending on the type of prolapse.

Vaginal prolapse is more common after childbirth and with aging, but it is not an inevitable part of being a woman and should not be normalized or ignored.

 Early stages may present with mild or intermittent symptoms, which is why many women delay seeking medical advice.

Accurate diagnosis is essential. 

Identifying which vaginal wall is affected helps guide proper management and avoids unnecessary assumptions or treatments.

Understanding vaginal prolapse is the first step.

In the next posts, we will focus separately on:

Cystocele (anterior vaginal wall prolapse)

Rectocele (posterior vaginal wall prolapse)

Each has distinct symptoms, implications, and management options.

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