There are 3 main types of vaginal prolapse.
1. Anterior wall prolapse (aka bladder prolapse, cystocele)
This is a laxity in the front wall of the vagina that can cause bulging and heaviness in the pelvic area. It can also cause bulging tissue out of the vaginal opening. This type of prolapse can contribute to stress urinary incontinence, but not always.
2. Posterior wall prolapse (aka rectocele)
This type of prolapse includes laxity of the back wall of the vagina that can cause bulging and heaviness in the pelvic area. It can also cause bulging tissue out of the vaginal opening. It may cause difficutly emptying the rectum.
3. Uterine prolapse
This prolapse is characterized by the uterus decending into the vaginal vault and sometimes out of the vaginal opening. Exercise cannot reverse uterine prolapse. If it is very symptomatic, surgery will be required.
What is vaginal prolapse?
Written by Leah Keller
Updated over 2 years ago