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Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Prevention, Treatment, and Support Options

  • Writer: Catherine McKelvey
    Catherine McKelvey
  • Jun 24
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jun 25

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Prevention, Treatment, and Support Options

What You Can Do to Reduce Risk of Prolapse

There are several practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of prolapse or support recovery if you already have symptoms.


Diet and Weight Management

  • Maintain a healthy weight.

  • Eat a fibre-rich diet to maintain good bowel motions and prevent constipation.

  • Maintain hydration through adequate water consumption. 


Toilet Habits

  • Avoid straining when urinating or passing a bowel movement.

  • Support the prolapse with external support from your hand if needed.

  • Take your time and try leaning forward with your forearms on your thighs and/or placing your feet on a small stool when using the toilet. Note* some may find relief leaning backwards.


Physical Activity

  • Aim for daily physical activity, focusing on low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, or Pilates.

  • Gain guidance from our Women’s Health Physiotherapist and/or Exercise Physiologist on technique and modifications for heavy lifting and high-impact exercises such as running or jumping. While for some clients this may not be recommended, for others with the use of the correct technique and progression, as well as potential use of a device such as a pessary it is able to be completed.

  • Include core-strengthening exercises as part of your routine.


Pelvic Floor Exercises

  • It is important to consult a Women’s Health Physiotherapist for personalised guidance.

  • Perform pelvic floor exercises daily, this may be focused on strength (endurance &/or speed), relaxation or a combination of both. 

  • Engage your pelvic floor muscles before lifting, coughing, laughing, or sneezing. This is commonly known as “the knack”.


Managing Pressure and Daily Activities

  • Modify daily activities to reduce downward pressure on your pelvic organs.

  • Rest with your body with your hips elevated on a pillow (if able) for 10–20 minutes during the day to relieve downward pressure on the pelvic floor.


Treatment Options for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

At Women’s Health Hub, we believe in personalised and evidence-based care. The right treatment for pelvic organ prolapse depends on both the severity of the prolapse and how much it affects your daily life.

We recommend starting with an assessment by our Women’s Health Physiotherapist and/or GP to determine the stage and create a tailored management plan.

Conservative Management

This is often the first line of treatment and can be highly effective. It may include:

  1. Women’s Health Physiotherapy – High-quality research supports its ability to improve symptoms and even reduce the severity of prolapse by strengthening and supporting the pelvic organs.

  2. Lifestyle adjustments – Managing constipation, avoiding heavy lifting, and addressing chronic coughing or excess weight.

  3. Activity & exercise modifications – Participating in lower-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, Pilates, or cycling that are considered safe. Gain personalised recommendations from our Women’s Health Physiotherapist and/or Exercise Physiologist on your options for heavy lifting strength training and high-impact exercises such as running or jumping. 

  4. Postural & movement training – Our Physio or Exercise Physiologist will assess the way you lift, move, and stand and help strengthen surrounding muscles (e.g. core, glutes, hips).

  5. Bladder & bowel habit support – A huge part of holistic care that’s often overlooked.

  6. Vaginal pessary – A silicone device fitted to support pelvic organs.

  7. Topical oestrogen cream or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – Especially helpful post-menopause to improve tissue tone and comfort. Must see a GP for this. We work closely with Dr Nicole Leotta at Rouse Hill Women’s Health.

Conservative treatment is safe and effective for many, but not all. Some people may continue to experience bothersome symptoms and choose to explore further options.


Surgical Management

Surgery is another option, especially for more severe prolapse (Stage 3–4) or if conservative treatment does not bring sufficient relief.

Wait times can be long, and conservative treatment can be valuable in managing symptoms while waiting.

At Women’s Health Hub, we can help guide you on your options and refer you to healthcare providers who can guide you through that discussion if needed.


Postpartum Considerations

New mums may experience prolapse due to hormonal shifts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These changes can soften the fascia and ligaments supporting the pelvic organs.

While symptoms may ease once breastfeeding stops and hormones settle, this doesn’t mean the prolapse is "fixed" — it's just less noticeable. That’s why early rehab and understanding your body is so important.


If you're living with prolapse, know that you’re not alone, and there are safe, evidence-based strategies to support you. At Women’s Health Hub, we’re here to guide you with holistic care that empowers you every step of the way.



Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

A pessary is a soft, medical-grade silicone device inserted into the vagina to provide mechanical support to pelvic organs. It helps manage pelvic organ prolapse by reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and, in some cases, delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. 

Pessaries are often described as the “sports bra of the vagina” - they offer internal support to the vaginal walls, much like a bra supports the chest. Some women wear them daily, while others use them only during certain activities like exercise, heavy lifting or long periods of time on their feet. 


How a Pessary Can Help

Pessary for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

A well-fitted pessary can:

  • Relieve the sensation of bulging or heaviness

  • Support vaginal walls and connective tissue

  • Enable return to exercise (especially postpartum)

  • Reduce or stop urinary leakage

  • Prevent progression of prolapse

  • Support women while undergoing pelvic floor rehab

  • Provide relief while waiting for surgical intervention


It can be especially helpful for:

  • Women with mild-moderate prolapse and poor pelvic floor muscle tone

  • Postpartum mums wanting to return to physical activity

  • Women delaying or not suitable for surgery


Pessary Fitting

Before fitting a pessary, we’ll carry out a full assessment:

Check the severity of your prolapse

  • Assess vaginal tissue health and skin quality

  • Ensure there are no infections or concerns (in collaboration with your GP or gynaecologist)

  • Evaluate whether you’ll be comfortable managing your pessary independently

  • We have different types of pessaries in multiple sizes and styles. It may take 2 or more fittings to find the one that feels right for your body and your lifestyle – that’s completely normal.


A well-fitted pessary:

  • Should be comfortable and unnoticeable when in place

  • Will not fall out or interfere with urination


If a pessary causes any discomfort or worsening of symptoms it may need to be changed (shape, size, type). It can take up to 4 weeks to determine if a pessary is suitable and effective due to connective tissue changes that should occur. 

For many women, pessaries can be truly life-changing. If you're not quite ready for surgery and want to explore a conservative option, our team is here to support you find what is best for you.


Exercise Rehabilitation

If you’re experiencing symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse, it’s also essential that your exercise routine supports your pelvic floor rehabilitation rather than aggravating your symptoms.

At Women’s Health Hub, our multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive, coordinated care. Our Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Accredited Exercise Physiologist work in close collaboration to develop clinically informed, evidence-based exercise programs tailored to the severity of your prolapse and symptoms, functional goals, and overall health status.

These individualised programs are designed to promote optimal musculoskeletal support, enhance pelvic floor function, and enable a safe return to movement, whether that involves general conditioning, strength training, or postnatal recovery.

Our aim is to empower you to move confidently and safely while supporting your long-term pelvic health and quality of life.

While pelvic organ prolapse can feel overwhelming or complex at times, it's important to know you're not alone and there is help. With the right support, knowledge, and personalised care, you can gain relief in symptoms.

Whether it's through Physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, or simply understanding your body better, you deserve to feel strong, supported, and confident in your journey forward.



*Note: We recommend seeing our Women’s Health Physiotherapist for 3-4 sessions prior to our Exercise Physiologist. 

Doctor Catherine McKelvey Women's Health Physiotherapist


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