How to check for uterine prolapse after childbirth

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on February 04, 2025
00:00
00:00

During routine postnatal checks after natural childbirth, it is important to evaluate the recovery of pelvic floor function, including checking for the presence and severity of uterine prolapse. Uterine prolapse can be assessed in the following ways:

First, a gynecological examination can be conducted. Through this examination, the condition of the uterine prolapse and the position of the cervix can be clearly identified and staged.

Second, performing a perineal ultrasound can generally assess the condition of uterine prolapse and the state of pelvic floor function.

Third, in cases of severe uterine prolapse, it is also necessary to perform a urinary system examination, such as urodynamic testing, because uterine prolapse often occurs simultaneously with bladder prolapse.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
43sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

What should not be eaten with uterine prolapse?

When a woman has uterine prolapse, it is best to avoid eating foods that are high in fats, such as fatty lamb chops and greasy pork, as these can lead to obesity in women, increase intra-abdominal pressure, and worsen symptoms of uterine prolapse. Also, avoid eating overly spicy foods, as spicy foods can induce constipation in women. Additionally, for some women who suffer from respiratory diseases, such as chronic pharyngitis, who already experience chronic coughing, eating spicy foods can exacerbate coughing symptoms, increase abdominal pressure, and lead to worsening uterine prolapse.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
52sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min home-news-image

How to recover from uterine prolapse?

Uterine prolapse can be classified into first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree prolapse. Typically, first-degree prolapse is considered mild and can generally be managed with a pessary or by performing exercises to strengthen the anal levator muscles and pelvic floor rehabilitation movements, which usually achieve the treatment purpose for mild uterine prolapse. Moderate or severe uterine prolapse must be treated according to the specific condition. In cases of severe prolapse, surgical options can be considered. Common procedures include uterine ligament suspension or vaginal hysterectomy. The treatment for uterine prolapse generally depends on age. For older individuals with severe prolapse, vaginal hysterectomy is often recommended. For younger patients with severe prolapse who wish to return to normal, uterine ligament suspension surgery is generally an option.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
46sec home-news-image

How is a uterine prolapse surgery performed?

Regarding how to perform surgery for uterine prolapse, first, we must define what uterine prolapse is. It mainly refers to the descent from the normal position through the vagina, with the external cervix reaching below the level of the ischial spines, or even completely protruding outside the vaginal opening, which is called uterine prolapse. Therefore, preoperative assessments need to be conducted before surgery to check for inflammation and other methods. Then, there are two types of treatments: surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment mainly includes pelvic floor muscle exercises and physical therapy such as placing a uterine pessary. Surgical treatment involves surgical intervention based on the location of the prolapse.