You may experience feelings of heaviness or pressure in the vagina, or it may feel as if something is in your vagina, or that your vagina is "falling out." Symptoms are typically worse at the end of the day or with prolonged activity. You may also notice changes in your symptoms during your menstrual cycle.

Stages refer to how low an organ like the uterus, bladder or rectum, has dropped from its proper position. Stage 1 is when the organ has dropped into the upper half of the vagina. Stage 2 is when the organ leans toward the opening of the vagina. In stage 3, the organ is protruding out of the vagina. Stage 4, the uterus has come out of the vagina.

Prolapse most commonly impacts those who have had a vaginal birth, a pelvic surgery or are going through menopause. People may also be at greater risk of developing prolapse if they have a family history of prolapse, if they have a condition that causes chronic coughing, or if they strain with chronic constipation or regular heavy lifting.

Depending on the severity of your prolapse, working with a physical therapist who specializes in the pelvic floor can lead to improved function and reduced symptoms within a few months. In other situations, use of a pessary may also be helpful in addressing symptoms. For the right candidate, surgery may be an appropriate option for care.

A pessary is a ring or cube made of medical grade silicone that’s inserted into the vagina to provide support to the vaginal canal. This support can reduce or eliminate prolapse symptoms. A pessary requires fitting to find the right size for you and once in place it should not be bothersome or fall out with bearing down.

Vaginal weights come in various shapes and sizes but all are developed to fit comfortably within your vagina. Once inserted, your pelvic floor muscles must contract to prevent it from falling out. While not required to build strength, they can be a helpful tool to measure progress as you gradually increase the weight your muscles can support.

Some level of prolapse is a normal and expected part of aging, just as our breasts begin to rest a little lower, so do our pelvic organs. But experiencing symptoms from a prolapse is potentially preventable. Working with a pelvic floor physical therapist to maintain strength in your pelvic floor can actually reduce a prolapse's severity and symptoms.