Uterine Prolapse
Pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that hold the uterus in place may begin to weaken and stretch. At this point, the uterus slips down into the vaginal canal or protrudes out of it.
Symptoms of uterine prolapse can include the sensation of heaviness or pulling in the pelvis, lower back pain, trouble having a bowel movement, sensation of looseness of vaginal tissue, urine leak or urine retention, feeling like something is falling out of the vagina or that you are sitting on a small ball, and tissue sticking out of the vagina. Symptoms may worsen throughout the day.
Damage to supportive tissues during pregnancy and childbirth -- and gravity -- are some causes of uterine prolapse. Other possible causes include repeated straining over the years, difficult labor and delivery, loss of muscle tone, delivering a big baby (nine pounds or larger) vaginally, and loss of estrogen.
Risks include frequent heavy lifting, a genetic predisposition to weak connectors, prior pelvic surgery like a hysterectomy, increasing age, straining during bowel movements, being Hispanic or white, chronic coughing, and one or more vaginal births.
Complications may include some of the vaginal lining being displaced by a falling uterus and protruding outside of the body, possibly rubbing on garments. This irritation could become vaginal ulcers with the chance of getting infected.