Prolapse
Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support
Being told you have a pelvic organ prolapse can feel overwhelming and unsettling. You might worry that simple actions like sneezing or lifting could make it worse, or you may feel unsure about what help is available. The reassuring news is that many prolapses can be treated effectively with physiotherapy, often avoiding the need for surgery.
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the pelvic organs gently shift from their usual position and press into the vaginal space. The reasons this happens are as unique as you are. For many women, it’s linked to changes in the vaginal walls after pregnancy and childbirth, or hormonal changes during menopause. But prolapse can also develop without a clear cause. Whatever your story, we’re here to support you with care that is kind, informed, and completely tailored to you.
Common symptoms include a feeling of heaviness or bulging in the vagina. You may notice that sex feels different, or that tampons no longer stay in place as easily. If you’ve been told by a GP that it’s all in your head, please know this is not true. Your symptoms are real, and at Thrive, we’re here to listen, believe you, and help you feel like yourself again with compassionate care, that gets to the root of what’s going on.
Understanding Types of Prolapse and How It Feels
There are a few types of pelvic organ prolapse, depending on which part of the vaginal wall has softened or shifted over time. The size of a prolapse and the symptoms you experience don’t always match either. You might have a small prolapse that feels very uncomfortable, or a more significant one that barely causes any bother at all. That’s because it’s not the prolapse itself that causes distress, it’s the symptoms. And that’s exactly what we focus on at Thrive.
Types of Prolapse You Might Hear About
- Anterior wall prolapse (sometimes called bladder prolapse or cystocele): when the front wall of the vagina softens and the bladder presses into it.
- Uterine prolapse or vaginal vault prolapse (after hysterectomy): when the uterus or top of the vaginal space sits lower than usual.
- Posterior wall prolapse (also called rectocele or enterocele): when the back wall of the vagina softens and the bowel presses into that space.
Pelvic Organ Prolapses are often described in stages—mild, moderate, or severe—but these labels don’t match how they feel or predict what you can do about them. What really matters is how your body feels day-to-day and how it’s affecting your life.
At Thrive, we take a kind, whole-body approach. We help you understand your symptoms, not just the label. Our goal is simple: to support and empower you to move confidently again, without fear of heaviness holding you back.
Understanding Your Symptoms
You might experience a dragging or heavy feeling, something sitting low in the vagina, or changes in how your body feels during sex or when using tampons. These symptoms can come and go and are often influenced by movement, time of day, posture, or hormone levels.
At Thrive, we take time to understand your full picture, because your experience is personal, and it matters. You may have put off seeking help due to embarrassment, or because past appointments didn’t feel helpful or kind. But you deserve better. And you’re not alone in this.
Even though it can feel unsettling at times, having a prolapse doesn’t mean your body is falling apart. You are not broken. These are simply changes in your body’s natural support system, and with the right care, they can absolutely improve. At Thrive, we focus on helping you to ease and even stop those symptoms so you can feel confident, comfortable, and free to enjoy life again.
Our Whole-Body Approach to Prolapse Physiotherapy
At Thrive, we don’t just treat your pelvic floor, we look at your whole body. That includes how you move, how you hold yourself, and how your muscles are working together. By understanding what’s really going on, we can help you move more freely and feel more supported.
We don’t routinely offer internal (vaginal) examinations at your first appointment. Instead, we begin by looking at how your pelvic floor is working with the rest of your body. If, at a later stage, we feel an internal examination would help us tailor your care more precisely, we’ll explain why, talk it through with you, and the choice will always be yours.
You Can Feel Better
If a feeling of heaviness or bulging is getting in the way of the life you want to live, you do not have to put up with it. With the right care, things can change.
At Thrive, we help women feel strong, confident, and back in control. Our care is warm, thoughtful, and completely tailored to your needs. You deserve to feel confident in your body again and we’d love to help you get there.
Take the first step by booking in today.
Testimonials
