Pelvic organ prolapse (Mayo Clinic)

Tier 1: Established: peer-reviewed research or government health authority
Publisher: Mayo Clinic · Published: September 12, 2026 · Accessed: September 12, 2026

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Claims this source supports

• Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more pelvic organs drop from their position, making a bulge in the vagina; the muscles and connective tissues of the pelvic floor normally hold the vagina, bladder, uterus, urethra and rectum in place.
• It happens when the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor weaken, which may be due to pregnancy, childbirth or menopause; it can be treated, and often nonsurgical treatment helps, though sometimes surgery is needed.
• Sometimes prolapse has no symptoms; when symptoms happen they can include seeing or feeling a bulge of tissue at or beyond the opening of the vagina, pelvic pressure, heaviness or pain, lower back pain, not being able to keep a tampon in, urinary changes (frequency, urgency, incomplete emptying, weak stream), bowel changes including splinting, and pain with sex.
• Weakness of the pelvic floor often affects more than one area: if one pelvic organ has prolapsed, you are more likely to have another type of prolapse.
• Risk factors include having more than one baby, vaginal delivery, high birth-weight babies and deliveries using tools, being older, being obese, previous pelvic surgery, straining from an ongoing cough (such as COPD), ongoing constipation or ongoing heavy lifting, and a family history of prolapse or connective-tissue conditions.