Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms

There are a wide range of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms which can be found in the bladder, vagina and/or bowel, such as issues peeing, needing to go to the toilet more often and discomfort during sex. More symptoms include:

Bladder:

• problems peeing – such as feeling like your bladder is not emptying fully
• needing to go to the toilet more often
• failing to get to the bathroom in time
• needing to go to the toilet at night
• leaking a small amount of pee when you cough, sneeze or exercise (known as stress incontinence – your bladder may have prolapsed into the vagina)
• a feeling of heaviness around your lower tummy and genitals (pelvis)

Vaginal:

• a dragging discomfort inside your vagina
• feeling like there is something coming down into your vagina – it may feel like sitting on a small ball
• feeling or seeing a bulge or lump in or coming out of your vagina
• discomfort or numbness during sex
• dislodged or dropped tampons

Bowel:

• if you experience constipation, lower back pain or incomplete bowel emptying you may have bowel prolapse
• you may need to push back the prolapse to allow stools to pass
• uncontrollable leakage from the anus (anal incontinence)
• difficulties getting clean after a bowel motion
• uncontrollable flatulence

Sometimes pelvic organ prolapse has no symptoms and is found during an internal examination carried out for another reason, such as a cervical screen (e.g. smear test).