Pelvic organ prolapse may not be a common topic of discussion, but it can be very distressing when your organs start to descend. Just imagine - you're going about your day, maybe doing some light exercise or running errands, and suddenly you feel a strange heaviness down there. You look down and, oh my goodness, it's like your bladder, bowel, and uterus are all trying to make a break for it.
But let's take a step back and talk about why this happens. Our pelvic organs are supposed to be held up high by our pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue. However, sometimes those things can become lengthened, weakened, or torn. Maybe it's from a vaginal delivery or years of straining on the toilet or coughing.
Regardless of the cause, the symptoms are pretty darn annoying. You might feel like you're carrying around a bowling ball between your legs or notice a strange bulge that makes you feel like you're growing a second butt. You might struggle to urinate or defecate properly. And let's not forget about painful intercourse - because what's more fun than feeling like your insides are falling out while you're trying to get it on?
But fear not, because there are plenty of treatment options available. You may get to work on optimising your pelvic floor or retraining your ribcage (because apparently that's a thing). You may get to try out some fancy pessaries. And if all else fails, there's always the option of surgery.
In all seriousness, though, pelvic organ prolapse is a common and often uncomfortable condition that affects many women. It's important to take care of your pelvic floor and seek treatment if you're experiencing symptoms.