What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a structural condition that occurs when the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues within the pelvic floor stretch, weaken, or tear, allowing one or more pelvic organs to shift and bulge into the vaginal canal. Depending on which organ is affected, prolapse is categorized as a cystocele (bladder), uterine prolapse, rectocele (rectum), or enterocele (small intestine, most common after a prior hysterectomy).
At Miami Women’s Center, we provide expert, compassionate care for pelvic organ prolapse, focusing on conservative, non-surgical treatments to restore your anatomy, relieve pelvic pressure, and improve daily quality of life.
Request an AppointmentCustom Non-Surgical Prolapse Solutions
We tailor our clinical approach based on the specific type and stage of your prolapse, your lifestyle, and your treatment goals:
- Pessary fitting & management: A personalized evaluation to select and custom-fit the ideal supportive device for your body, with education on home care or routine clinic management.
- Emsella® Chair Therapy: Advanced electromagnetic technology that stimulates thousands of pelvic floor contractions, building muscle mass and tone to naturally support the organs — learn more on our Emsella page.
- Targeted pelvic floor physical therapy: Specific pelvic floor exercises combined with core stabilization techniques to manage daily intra-abdominal pressure.
- Lifestyle & symptom management: Counseling on high-fiber dietary adjustments to reduce straining, weight management strategies, and safe lifting techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Prolapse Care at Miami Women’s Center
What are the most common symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse?
Symptoms can include a persistent sensation of heaviness or fullness in the pelvis, a feeling of something slipping out of the vagina, a visible or palpable bulge, lower back pain, difficulty fully emptying the bladder, chronic constipation, and discomfort during intercourse. Many women with mild prolapse have no symptoms at all.
What causes the pelvic floor to weaken enough to cause prolapse?
Common causes include pregnancy and childbirth (especially long labors or large babies), aging and menopause, chronic straining from constipation or coughing, repetitive heavy lifting, obesity, and prior pelvic surgery like a hysterectomy.
Can pelvic organ prolapse heal on its own?
Stretched or torn pelvic tissues can’t fully repair on their own, but mild to moderate prolapse can often be successfully managed and stabilized without surgery through strengthening exercises and supportive devices.
What is a pessary, and how does it help?
A vaginal pessary is a removable, flexible medical-grade silicone device that physically supports prolapsed organs in their correct position. Pessaries come in various sizes and shapes and can be worn continuously or just during active times like exercise.
Is surgery ever needed for pelvic organ prolapse?
Surgery is considered for more advanced cases or when conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief. We explore non-surgical options thoroughly first and discuss surgical referral if it becomes appropriate for your situation.
Can pelvic organ prolapse affect my sex life?
It can cause discomfort or a feeling of looseness during intercourse for some women, but treatment — whether a pessary, pelvic floor therapy, or Emsella — often improves these symptoms alongside the structural concern.
How often will I need follow-up visits for my prolapse?
This depends on your treatment plan — pessary users typically need periodic check-ins for fitting and cleaning, while those doing pelvic floor therapy or Emsella follow a structured session schedule with reassessment afterward.