Pelvic floor prolapse - the weakness in a woman's pelvis

Pelvic floor prolapse can have many causes: Pregnancy and childbirth, physical strain, constipation, hormonal changes or a woman's own lifestyle can all favour the development of pelvic floor weakness. Many women feel that their quality of life is impaired - the urinary incontinence that often accompanies this is an unpleasant and shameful topic for many women. Fortunately, there are various effective treatment options for this problem - our specialists are here for you and will advise you in confidence at Bethesda Hospital.

Training to build up muscles in the pelvic floor can be a possible treatment.
Training to build up muscles in the pelvic floor can be a possible treatment.
(Shutterstock)

Frequent side effect: vaginal or uterine prolapse


What exactly is a pelvic floor prolapse (lat. descensus genitalis)?

The female pelvic floor is a complex structure consisting of connective tissue, muscles, nerves and ligaments and can be described as a holding and sealing apparatus for the organs in the pelvis. Pregnancy, childbirth and other strains damage and weaken this apparatus, which is why the pelvic floor can sag, especially at an advanced age.

This can affect the entire pelvic floor with its organs and lead to a prolapse of the uterus or vagina or even cause part of the bowel to descend. This can result in organ dysfunction, such as bladder and bowel emptying disorders, as well as bladder weakness.


What can you do if you have a prolapsed pelvic floor?

Often, a lot can be achieved with lifestyle changes (e.g. weight reduction or stool regulation), physiotherapy or the use of pessaries. In cases of severe suffering, failure of conservative measures or progression of the prolapse, surgical intervention can also help. Talk to our specialists to find the right treatment for you at Bethesda Hospital.

Important to know

Find out everything you need to know about the clinical picture of pelvic floor prolapse and find out about the various treatment options we offer.

Signs of pelvic floor prolapse

Not all women feel disturbed by a lowered pelvic floor. However, if symptoms occur, treatment should be sought.

Typical signs are

  • Feelings of pressure, prolapse and foreign bodies
  • Urinary incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine) and frequent urge to urinate, e.g. at night
  • Bladder and faecal voiding disorders
  • rarely: Pain in the area of the lumbar spine and sacrum

Are you unsure whether you suffer from pelvic floor prolapse? Then make an appointment for an examination!

Is pelvic floor prolapse dangerous?

Pelvic floor prolapse is not necessarily dangerous unless the function of an organ is impaired. However, it can have a negative impact on the quality of life of the women affected. It is therefore advisable to do something about it.

The diagnosis can be made relatively easily: It results from the symptoms and a complete urogynaecological examination including ultrasound. Further examinations such as bladder or colonoscopy, bladder pressure measurements or imaging procedures are rarely necessary.

Complex cases, for example when different organ systems are involved, can be discussed and treated on an interdisciplinary basis at the pelvic floor board of the Pelvic Floor Centre. This is a special service offered by Bethesda Hospital. We will be happy to advise you in detail about your options at our centre.

Are you unsure whether you suffer from pelvic floor prolapse? Then make an appointment for an examination!

Recognising a prolapse and treating it individually


Conservative therapies

Our first step is to advise you on lifestyle options. These include, for example, adjustments in the areas of diet, alcohol and coffee consumption, physical activity and body weight. Many symptoms can already be improved by means of training to build up the muscles in the pelvic floor, which our specialised physiotherapists offer. Another option is the use of a pessary, which is inserted into the vagina and moves the sagging organs back to their original location.


Surgical interventions as therapy

If conservative therapies are not effective or there is a high level of suffering, various surgical procedures are also possible: one modern method is the insertion of plastic mesh to reinforce the pelvic floor. This procedure is usually carried out by means of laparoscopy using gentle keyhole surgery. Thanks to the many different options available, we can offer you individualised treatment that precisely meets your needs and improves your quality of life in the long term. The aim is always to reconstruct or at least reinforce the pelvic floor so that the organs can once again lie in the pelvis and fulfil their function.

Are you unsure whether you suffer from pelvic floor prolapse? Then make an appointment for an examination!

Every second mother is affected

Pelvic floor prolapse usually only occurs in the second half of life. Half of all women who have given birth suffer from a more or less severe prolapse of the pelvic floor and the associated organs. In 80 per cent of those affected, prolapse and incontinence are combined.

Are you unsure whether you suffer from pelvic floor prolapse? Then make an appointment for an examination!

Pelvic floor prolapse - Diagnosis programme on telebasel

Heidi Schuster had a foreign body sensation when sitting. Caused by a drop in the pelvic floor. She explains what helped her in the Diagnose Talk programme.

«At our pelvic floor centre, we attach great importance to personal and individual care for our patients.»


Dr Jörg Humburg, Chief Physician, Pelvic Floor Centre

FAQs on pelvic floor prolapse

We have compiled the most frequently asked questions about pelvic floor prolapse, answered by our medical experts.

Do you have any other questions that are not answered here? Please feel free to contact us - we will be happy to help you.

The female pelvic floor, consisting of connective tissue, muscles and ligaments, can be described as the supporting apparatus for the organs in the pelvis. This apparatus becomes increasingly weaker with age, which is why the pelvic floor can sag. This can affect the entire pelvic floor with its organs and lead to a prolapse of the uterus, vagina or bladder or even cause part of the bowel to descend. Organ dysfunction, for example bladder and bowel emptying disorders, as well as bladder weakness can be symptoms of pelvic floor prolapse.

Not all women feel disturbed by a lowered pelvic floor. However, if symptoms occur, treatment should be sought.

Signs of pelvic floor prolapse:

  • Feelings of pressure, prolapse and foreign bodies
  • Urinary incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine) and frequent urge to urinate, e.g. at night
  • Bladder and faeces voiding disorders
  • rarely: Pain in the area of the lumbar spine and sacrum

Not all women feel disturbed by a lowered pelvic floor. The condition is not risky, but should still be treated. Typical signs are

  • Feelings of pressure, prolapse and foreign bodies
  • Urinary incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine) and frequent urge to urinate, e.g. at night
  • Bladder and stool emptying disorders
  • rarely: Pain in the area of the lumbar spine and sacrum

A lot can often be achieved with conservative therapies such as regular physiotherapy and exercise. In cases of severe suffering or advanced prolapse, surgery can also help. Talk to our specialists to find the right treatment for you at Bethesda Hospital.

Pelvic floor prolapse is not a malignant disease, but it can progress. Impaired function of the bladder, bowel or uterus are good reasons for conservative or surgical treatment.

No. As a rule, conservative treatment is a good first step that can be successful. Targeted pelvic floor training under professional guidance already helps many women - the same applies to the use of a pessary.

In any case. An older age does not rule out an operation, as we can also offer less stressful procedures.

No. There are many different procedures in which the uterus can be preserved.

Dr Jörg Humburg in conversation with a patient
Dr Jörg Humburg in conversation with a patient
(Bethesda Hospital)

The specialists on the topic of pelvic floor prolapse

The clinical picture of pelvic floor prolapse falls within the specialist area of our Pelvic Floor Centre.

Our experienced specialists will be happy to help you - let them advise you individually as to which of the pelvic floor centre's services is best suited to your needs.

Your advantages at Bethesda Hospital

We provide interdisciplinary excellence in medicine, care and therapy, promote innovation and are at the cutting edge of research and technology. Personalised care in a family atmosphere, our excellent hotel facilities and the quiet location in the park support your recovery.

Ausgezeichnete Pflege und Hotellerie im Bethesda Spital

Excellent hotel business

Medical excellence

Your advantages
Bethesda Spital ist Mitglied bei Swiss Leading Hospitals (SLH)

Multiple certifications

Courses around the pelvic floor

Sanfte Gymnastik & Stretching

Dienstag, 18.07.2023 – Dienstag, 30.06.2026
18:00 – 19:00 Uhr

Womens course with 2 couples evenings

Donnerstag, 20.03.2025 – Donnerstag, 10.04.2025
17:30 – 19:30 Uhr

In english

Kindernotfall-Kurs

Mittwoch, 09.04.2025
18:00 – 21:00 Uhr

Erste Hilfe am Kind

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