Can you get pregnant with uterine prolapse?

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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When women experience uterine prolapse, if it is only mild or moderate, it usually does not affect their ability to become pregnant normally. In most cases, when the woman lies down, the protruding part of the uterus might naturally retract, or it can be manually pushed back into the vagina. During intercourse, after ejaculation, the cervix may still be immersed in semen, allowing sperm to pass through the cervix smoothly, and the woman can become pregnant normally. However, in cases of severe uterine prolapse, such as when the entire uterus descends outside the vagina, and cannot be repositioned back into the vagina even when lying down, during intercourse, the ejaculated semen may not sufficiently immerse the cervix, and sperm may not be able to normally enter the cervix and uterine cavity. Additionally, many women with severe uterine prolapse might experience cervix erosion, bleeding, and infection due to friction, which can produce inflammatory cells that hinder the normal passage of sperm, leading to difficulties in conception.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of uterine prolapse

Uterine prolapse is a common gynecological condition, primarily caused by damage to the pelvic floor tissues during childbirth. As the fetus descends during labor, it can damage the pelvic floor muscles and fascia, leading to a reduction in their supportive strength, which in turn causes the prolapse of the uterus and vagina. Additionally, aging is another main cause of uterine prolapse. As age increases, relaxation of the cervix, various uterine ligaments, and pelvic floor fascial muscles also contribute significantly to uterine prolapse.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can uterine prolapse be seen with the naked eye?

Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus descends from its normal position, falling along the vaginal opening and moving out of its normal location, with the cervix or the entire uterus reaching or completely coming out of the vaginal opening. The main causes of uterine prolapse are childbirth injuries, prolonged increased abdominal pressure, and poor development of pelvic floor tissues. In mild cases of uterine prolapse, patients mostly do not have any symptoms and the condition is only identified during a gynecological examination. However, in severe cases of uterine prolapse, patients feel a mass coming out of the vaginal opening while walking, working, or squatting, and in serious cases, the entire uterus can completely prolapse out of the vaginal opening, becoming visible to the naked eye.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can you still have children with uterine prolapse?

Most women with uterine prolapse are not affected in their ability to become pregnant and give birth normally. However, in rare cases, symptoms can be severe when women suffer from uterine prolapse, with part of the uterus protruding outside the vagina. This may cause friction with the underwear, leading to localized ulcers or even infections, causing purulent vaginal discharge or bleeding. This can affect the normal passage of sperm and impact normal pregnancy. For these women, anti-inflammatory treatment can be administered first. After healing, it generally does not affect normal conception. After conception, as the size of the uterus increases and moves from the pelvic cavity into the abdominal cavity, the symptoms of uterine prolapse tend to decrease.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I have uterine prolapse during menstruation?

The normal position of the uterus is within the female pelvis. When a prolapse occurs, the uterus gradually descends downwards. In cases of mild to moderate uterine prolapse, since the majority of the uterus remains inside the vagina, there is no particular need for special attention during menstruation—regular care will suffice. In severe cases of uterine prolapse, the uterus might completely protrude outside the vaginal opening. In such circumstances, extra care may be needed during menstruation to prevent menstrual blood from staining undergarments. You might need to use larger sanitary pads; other than that, there is nothing particularly different that needs attention. Additionally, remember to change sanitary pads and underwear regularly to avoid potential infections.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can postpartum constipation cause uterine prolapse?

If there is severe constipation after childbirth, and it is not corrected in time, long-term constipation can lead to uterine prolapse in women. Postpartum constipation increases abdominal pressure, which affects the recovery of pelvic floor muscles, causing the loss of support in the pelvic floor muscles and thus leading to uterine prolapse. However, the main factor contributing to uterine prolapse is not constipation but the damage caused by childbirth, which is the primary cause. After childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles are weakened. Whether standing, bearing weight, or holding breath for a long period, thereby increasing abdominal pressure, can lead to the inability of the pelvic floor tissues to support and stabilize the internal organs of the pelvis, resulting in a prolapse.