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Overview of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

By

Charlie Kilpatrick

, MD, MEd, Baylor College of Medicine

Reviewed/Revised Dec 2022
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Topic Resources

Pelvic organ prolapse results from laxities (similar to hernias) in the ligaments, fascia, and muscles supporting the pelvic organs (pelvic floor—see figure Pelvic organ prolapse Pelvic organ prolapse Pelvic organ prolapse ). The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse is difficult to ascertain, and treatment is based on symptoms.

Common contributing factors include

  • Childbirth (particularly vaginal delivery)

  • Obesity

  • Aging

  • Injury (eg, due to pelvic surgery)

  • Chronic straining

Less common factors include congenital malformations, increased abdominal pressure (eg, due to ascites, abdominal tumors, or chronic respiratory disorders), sacral nerve disorders, and connective tissue disorders.

Pelvic organ prolapse affects various sites and includes

  • Anterior vaginal wall prolapse

  • Posterior vaginal wall prolapse

  • Apical prolapse (vaginal vault prolapse)

  • Uterine prolapse

Prolapse of the vaginal wall allows surrounding organs to protrude into the vaginal space; commonly used terms include cystoceles, urethroceles, enteroceles, and rectoceles Anterior and Posterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse Anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse involve protrusion of an organ into the vaginal canal. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse is commonly referred to as cystocele or urethrocele (when the... read more , depending on the site. Procidentia is collapse of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls and apical prolapse. Usually, prolapse occurs in multiple sites.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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