What are the degrees of uterus prolapse?
There are four different degrees of severity of uterus prolapse. Grade 1 includes all prolapses that have progressed to the lower third of the vagina at most and there is still at least one centimeter distance between the cervix and the vaginal opening. This means that the cervix, which is the lowest part of the uterus, does not yet protrude above the level of the vagina.
Cervical prolapse is classified as grade 2 if the cervix has sunk to the level of the vaginal opening. A degree 2 cervical prolapse therefore means that the cervix can be seen just by looking at the vaginal outlet. Grade 3 is the highest degree of cervical prolapse.
The cervix must extend at least two centimetres beyond the vaginal outlet to be able to classify this degree of severity. Grade 4 is strictly speaking no longer part of uterus prolapse, since grade 4 is by definition the prolapse of the uterus.Nevertheless, it is indicated with the stages of uterine prolapse, since uterine prolapse is the most extreme form of prolapse. A distinction is made here between a so-called subtotal uterine prolapse and a total uterine prolapse. In a subtotal uterine prolapse, only part of the uterus protrudes above the level of the labia. In a total uterine prolapse, the entire uterus is protruding outwards, which necessarily means that the vagina has also protruded outwards and is visible in an inverted form.
I can recognize a lowering of the uterus by these accompanying symptoms
Women with uterine prolapse describe a foreign body sensation in the vagina, which can be explained by the pressure of the uterus on the surrounding structures. In addition, this would create a feeling as if something were falling out of the vagina. In addition to these discomforts, there is also pulling pain, which is mainly located in the lower abdomen and the back.
Due to the direct neighbourhood of the uterus to the bladder and rectum, increased pressure on these organs can also trigger accompanying symptoms. This can lead to problems with urination or stress incontinence. In the case of stress incontinence, as the name suggests, the urine cannot be held sufficiently during physical exertion.
Analogous to the urinary bladder, it can lead to difficult bowel movements, but also to incontinence, which can be explained by a weakness of the muscles in the anal region. Increased urinary tract infections are also typical in uterine prolapse. In more advanced uterine prolapse, parts of the sensitive vaginal mucosa already protrude outwards. The mucous membrane dries out as a result and inflammations or infections can develop.
