What is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the structures that support pelvic organs weaken, leading to the descent or bulging of organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum into the vaginal space. This condition can be caused by childbirth, menopause, chronic coughing, or poor pressure management during heavy lifting. Oftentimes, someone can have POP and have no symptoms; sometimes, it can result in discomfort, pressure, or urinary and bowel issues. Oftentimes, when there are symptoms, we hear these descriptions:

“It feels like I’m sitting on a golf ball.”

“I feel a pressure in my pelvis after a workout, or at the end of the day.”

“It’s hard to keep a tampon in.”

How do you treat pelvic organ prolapse at Core Dynamics Physical Therapy?

Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse starts with a thorough assessment of the core, pelvic floor, spine, hips, and most importantly, movement coordination and pressure management strategies. We first figure out the “why.”

After this, we focus on tailored and specific exercises and techniques to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve their support of the pelvic organs. We use a variety of methods, including full body exercises, pelvic floor exercises with visual feedback, and manual therapy, to address muscle weakness, muscle incoordination and improve pelvic floor function. Most of the time we can make a big impact on symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.