What symptoms are caused by my prolapse?
Symptoms can vary based on the type of prolapse and how long you have had it. Many women don’t seek treatment until later stages. The first signs of prolapse, such as pain during intercourse or an inability to keep a tampon inside the vagina, are often dismissed by women. With time, as the condition worsens, some women will experience uncomfortable bulging or a heavy sensation in the vagina. Bowel movements will often cause increased discomfort or heaviness. In extreme cases of prolapse, women may have to manually push stool out of the rectum by placing their fingers into the vagina during bowel movements.
The symptoms depend on which type of prolapse you have. Since prolapse usually occurs slowly over time, the symptoms can be hard to recognize. Most women don’t seek treatment until they actually feel something protruding outside of their vagina. The very first signs can be subtle – such as pain during intercourse or an inability to keep a tampon inside the vagina. As the prolapse gets worse, some women complain of a bulging or heavy sensation in the vagina that worsens by the end of the day or during bowel movements. Some women with severe prolapse even have to push stool out of the rectum by placing their fingers into the vagina during bowel movements.
