According to estimates from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, 20 to 30 percent of all women suffer from some degree of prolapse—a condition in which the pelvic organs, such as the bladder or the uterus, are no longer adequately supported by the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Test your understanding of the condition with this quick and easy quiz.
1. True or false: Childbirth and age are among the leading risk factors for prolapse.
The answer is true, according to doctors at Brigham and Women's Hospital. The bones of a woman's pelvic region create a stiff ring—similar to the outside edges of a trampoline—in which the pelvic organs are suspended and supported by the pelvic muscles and ligaments. Childbirth or aging can weaken or damage these muscles and ligaments. If they lose a significant amount of strength, they may not be able to hold the uterus, bladder, urethra, or rectum in their proper position.
2. True or false: In one form of prolapse, the uterus can actually protrude into the vagina.
The answer is true. In a common form of prolapse, called uterine prolapse, the uterus drops from its position in the pelvic region and protrudes into the vagina, possibly disrupting sexual intercourse. In addition to physical symptoms, prolapse may also bring on the "feeling that things are falling out," explains Joan Marie Bengston, M.D., an associate gynecologist with Brigham and Women's Hospital. For other women, prolapse may cause urinary or fecal incontinence, as the misplaced uterus interferes with the function of the bladder or rectum. In severe cases, a woman may suffer from multiple symptoms.
3. It's possible to inherit the risk of developing prolapse.
The answer appears be true: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to prolapse, caused by weak connective tissue. An article in the May 2007 issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch details two recent studies that appear to confirm this theory. Researchers at the University of Rochester, who studied 101 pairs of postmenopausal sisters, found that "when prolapse occurred, there was very high concordance within sister pairs." (Full results of the study were published in the December 2006 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)
4. True or false: There is no known treatment for prolapse.
The answer is false. There are, in fact, many treatment options for prolapse—but keep in mind that not every patient responds the same to every option. Treatments may include Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor; use of a pessary, or small, ring-shaped device made from silicone or latex; or surgery to repair the connective tissue. If you think you may be suffering from prolapse, be sure to consult with your doctor or medical practitioner for more information.
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