Chronic Constipation and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)


Pelvic Organ Prolapse, or POP, is a common condition for women (and a prominent cause of chronic constipation) that has low levels of awareness in this country due to the sensitive nature of the affected areas. However, understanding that POP is a normal part of the aging process for many women will help to normalize it in society and help women to seek treatment when symptoms like chronic constipation and urinary incontinence become too much to bear.


What exactly is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

POP is a condition where the pelvic floor muscle becomes damaged, leading to a “sagging” of different organs like the bladder, urethra, colon, and vagina. These organs may bulge into the vaginal canal or even beyond the edge of the vagina. In some cases the extent of the prolapse is minimal and may even heal in time. In other cases, the prolapse is quite painful and needs to be treated.


There are several organs that can be effected by the weakening of the pelvic floor, creating different types of prolapse:

  • Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) - the most common form, where the bladder pushes against the front edge of the vaginal canal.
  • Urethral Prolapse (Urethrocele) - occurs when the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) curves and widens due to weak muscles around it. It often occurs with a bladder prolapse.
  • Uterine Prolapse (Urethrocele) - when the neck of the uterus (cervix) drops down into the vagina.
  • Vaginal Vault Prolapse - occurs after a hysterectomy, when the vagina no longer has the support of the uterus and begins to collapse in on itself.
  • Small bowel Prolapse - the small intestines slips down from its normal position, past the uterus, and bulges into the vagina and rectum. This type of prolapse is associated with chronic constipation.
  • Rectal Collapse or rectocele - when the muscles holding the large intestines in place are stretched the rectum can press (or in more extreme cases bulge) into the back wall of the vagina causing pain and chronic constipation.

    • How many women suffer from POP & What Are the Symptoms?

    POP is often under diagnosed because women don’t seek treatment for it. However, a 2002 study by the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology of over 27,000 post-menopausal women found that of women who still had a uterus, rates of uterine prolapse were 14%, rates of bladder prolapse (cystocele) 34.3% and rates of rectocele (rectum prolpase) 18.6%. For those women who had undergone a hysterectomy the prevalence of cystocele was 32.9% and rectocele 18.3%. So we see that rates for post-menopausal women are well over 50%. It should also be noted that while POP occurs primarily to women in their 40s and older, it does also occur occasionally to women in their 20s and 30s.

    .

    Symptoms of POP include:


    • Pain or pressure in vagina, rectum or both as well as the sensation of sitting on a ball
    • Urinary incontinence & urine retention
    • Fecal incontinence and chronic constipation
    • Having trouble keeping a tampon in
    • Painful intercourse or lack of sensation during intercourse

      • Raising Awareness about POP


      StayRegular feels it is important to raise awareness about POP because it is one of the causes of chronic constipation that may require more than just natural laxatives to treat. In many instances, POP does not require additional treatment and can be dealt with using home treatment, but if you suspect you have POP it is important to consult a doctor to find out the extent of prolapse and its effect on your symptoms, including constipation. Chronic pain can often be avoided with a holistic treatment plan. For more regarding POP, visit the Pelvic Organ Prolapse support group or read the next article: Constipation Treatment with Pelvic Organ Prolapse.