Symptoms of uterine prolapse

Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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The main symptom of uterine prolapse is the protrusion of a mass from the vaginal opening. Uterine prolapse can be divided into three degrees. In the first degree of uterine prolapse, only the cervix is visible at the vaginal opening. At this stage, symptoms are not very pronounced and may include rapid urination or urinary incontinence. In the second degree, the cervix and part of the uterine body protrude from the vaginal opening. This can lead to difficulty walking or abrasion, and bleeding from the vaginal opening may occur. If the entire uterus prolapses, it can lead to an inability to urinate or difficulty defecating. Patients may experience pain in the lower abdomen or difficulties and abrasion while walking, and severe cases can lead to bleeding from the cervix or significant discharge, potentially resulting in infection.

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Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What causes uterine prolapse?

The most common cause of uterine prolapse is childbirth injury. It occurs during childbirth, especially in vaginal surgeries, assisted deliveries, or prolonged second stages of labor, where the pelvic floor muscles and fascia are damaged. Additionally, if a woman engages in physical labor too soon during the postpartum period, or uses an abdominal binder prematurely, it can also lead to uterine prolapse. The second scenario involves a long-term increase in abdominal pressure, which might be due to chronic coughing or difficulty in bowel movements, causing a sustained increase in abdominal pressure and pushing the uterus downward. The third case is due to poor developmental tissue in the pelvis or degenerative changes leading to uterine prolapse.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to treat mild uterine prolapse?

In cases of mild uterine prolapse, surgical treatment is generally not chosen. Instead, patients can be advised to perform anal contraction exercises. Anal contraction exercises, also known as pelvic floor muscle exercises, strengthen the muscles and fascia of the pelvic floor, enhancing its support function and alleviating the degree of uterine prolapse. Additionally, treatment methods should be selected based on the patient's age. For older patients, according to the needs of their condition, a pessary may be used to relieve symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to self-check for uterine prolapse

Uterine prolapse can be self-detected. If you feel a swelling in the genital area, or something protruding by itself that disappears when lying flat, there is a high probability of uterine prolapse or significant bulging of the anterior or posterior vaginal wall. This method can be used for self-examination. It is best to visit a hospital for an annual gynecological check-up and ultrasound. Through a gynecological internal examination, the doctor can indirectly assess the condition of the cervix. Therefore, mild uterine prolapse is generally not detectable by oneself, and such conditions generally require a gynecological internal examination in a hospital for a definitive diagnosis. Only in cases of severe prolapse will abnormalities be noticeable.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The main causes of uterine prolapse

The causes of uterine prolapse in women are complex, with the most common being pregnancy and childbirth, especially multiple childbirths, which can lead to damage to a woman's pelvic floor muscles. Some women experience this during vaginal delivery using instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors, which can injure the pelvic muscles and lead to uterine prolapse. Some women may engage in heavy physical labor too soon after childbirth before their pelvic floor functions have recovered, affecting the recovery of pelvic tissue tension and leading to uterine prolapse. Additionally, uterine prolapse may also occur in women who are overweight, suffer from internal medical conditions such as chronic cough, ascites, or constipation, which increase the pressure inside the abdominal cavity.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to deal with second-degree uterine prolapse?

Once a second-degree uterine prolapse is detected, it is also necessary to determine the treatment plan based on the patient's age and the presence or absence of clinical symptoms. If the patient is young and without apparent clinical symptoms, conservative treatment methods can be chosen. However, if the symptoms are severe and affect the patient's daily life, surgical treatment is needed. The specific surgical treatment plan should also take into account the patient's wishes.