Definition
The uterine prolapse (also called uterine prolapse) describes a change in the positional relationship of the female sexual organs to each other, usually occurring after the menopause. Normally, the uterus is located at the end of the vaginal vault, slightly tilted backwards. However, when the uterus prolapses, it is tilted outwards through the vagina. You can then see a vaginal tube that is turned outwards, in which a part of the uterus is located. It thus represents a particularly pronounced form of uterine prolapse (Descensus uteri).
Symptoms
The symptoms caused by a uterine prolapse vary from woman to woman. Depending on whether it is a total prolapse (uterine prolapse) or merely a prolapse of the uterus (descensus uteri), either a vagina turned inside out, including the uterus itself, can be seen, or it can only be noticed by the gynecologist under abdominal pressure. Common general symptoms in both forms are abdominal and back pain.
Many affected women also describe a foreign body sensation in the vagina. They often have the feeling that something is moving from the abdominal cavity through the vagina to the outside. As a result, the legs are often crossed or positioned close together.
The pain of a uterine prolapse is particularly localized in the abdomen and back. They are often described by the patient as pulling. The back pain occurs in the area of the sacrum and coccyx.
Furthermore, pain can also occur during sexual intercourse and this can be difficult. Due to the displacement of neighboring structures by the uterus and vagina, pain can also occur during urination or defecation. Women with several natural births have a higher risk of a uterine prolapse.
During childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles and the holding apparatus are stretched considerably. This can cause direct damage to the muscles. In addition, branches of nerves can be damaged by the stretching.
These nerves often regenerate in the first three months after a birth. However, damage can also remain, which can lead to a prolapse of the uterus in later years. Traumatic births usually cause even greater damage, so that the muscles are no longer as capable of contracting afterwards as they were before the birth.
