Pelvic organ prolapse is when the organs in your pelvis start to move down into your lower vagina. Sometimes, they actually move outside of your body through the vagina. They move down because the muscles and ligaments that hold them up get weak. Many different organs can move down, like your uterus, your bladder, or your rectum.

You will have different symptoms when different organs move down. When the uterus moves down, you might have a full feeling in your abdomen, or you might feel or notice that something is coming out of your vagina. If your bladder has moved down from its normal position, you might accidentally go to the bathroom when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. Or, if you have a prolapsed rectum, you might have trouble with a bowel movement. You could also have pain in your pelvis or pain during sexual intercourse. About 1 out of 5 hysterectomies are done for pelvic organ prolapse.