Uterine Prolapse(Archived)

Excerpt

Uterine prolapse is the herniation of the uterus from its natural anatomical location into the vaginal canal through the hymen or the introitus of the vagina. This is due to the weakening of its surrounding support structures. Uterine prolapse is 1 of the multiple conditions classified under the broader term of pelvic organ prolapse. This activity describes the etiology, evaluation, and treatment of uterine prolapse and explains the role of healthcare providers in evaluating and treating patients with this condition.

In its usual state, the uterus rests in the apical compartment of pelvic organs. The uterus and vagina are suspended from the sacrum and lateral pelvic sidewall via the uterosacral and cardinal ligament complexes. The weakening of these ligaments allows for the prolapse of the uterus into the vaginal vault. Although uterine prolapse is not inherently life-threatening, it can lead to sexual dysfunction, poor body image, and lower quality of life due to associated bowel or bladder incontinence.