Vaginal Prolapse: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment (2025)

What is vaginal prolapse?

Vaginal prolapse (also called a vaginal vault prolapse) is when the top of your vagina falls from its normal location in your body. Your vagina, also called your birth canal, is the tunnel that connects your uterus to the opening of your vagina. When the top of your vagina becomes weak, the organs that they should be supporting collapse into your vagina, creating the sensation of a lump or bulge.

Your vagina is one of several organs that rests in the pelvic area of your body. These organs are held in place by muscles and other tissue. These muscles come together to create a support structure called your pelvic floor. Throughout your life, this support structure can start to weaken. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the result is a sagging of your organs. When your organs sag or droop out of their normal position, this is called a prolapse. Vaginal prolapse is when the top of your vagina weakens and falls into your vaginal canal.

Prolapses can be small or large. A small prolapse is called an incomplete prolapse. A bigger prolapse (a complete prolapse) happens when your organ has shifted significantly. A complete prolapse can cause your organs to come out of your vaginal opening. This is a very severe prolapse.

Vaginal prolapse can cause painful symptoms. Mild to moderate vaginal prolapse may not require surgery. However, more severe cases may need surgical repair.

Are there different types of prolapse?

Your pelvis is comprised of your uterus, vagina, rectum, bladder and urethra. These organs are held up by your pelvic floor muscles, which look like an upside-down umbrella. The umbrella holds your pelvic organs up, but over time or due to other factors like vaginal deliveries, this upside-down umbrella can begin to collapse.

There are several different types of prolapse that have different names depending on where the organ has dropped from. The different types of pelvic organ prolapse can include:

• Vaginal prolapse (apical prolapse): The top of your vagina (known as the “vaginal vault”) droops down into your vaginal canal. This usually occurs in people who have had a hysterectomy (removal of your uterus).
• Uterine prolapse: Your uterus bulges or slips into your vagina sometimes so far that it comes out of your vaginal opening. In severe cases, you’ll feel vaginal tissue rubbing against your clothes.
• Cystocele: Your bladder drops into your vagina.
• Urethrocele: Your urethra (the tube that carries pee from your bladder) bulges into your vagina.
• Rectocele: Your rectum bulges into your vagina.
• Enterocele: Your small intestine bulges against the back wall of your vagina.

How common is vaginal prolapse?

Vaginal prolapse is fairly common. More than one-third of females have some type of pelvic area prolapse during their lifetime. You’re more likely to experience vaginal prolapse later in life, especially if you’ve had multiple pregnancies with a vaginal birth.

How do I know if I have a prolapse?

You may not know you have a prolapsed vagina until vaginal tissue from your vaginal wall protrudes from your vaginal opening. Some people have symptoms like pain or feeling like they are sitting on a ball. Others find out about a prolapsed vagina during a routine pelvic exam.

How does a prolapse affect other parts of my body?

Several other pelvic organs can slip out of position, not just your vagina. Depending on the type of prolapse you have and its severity, other nearby organs may be affected. For example, you may have problems with your kidneys, urethra (the hole you pee from) and rectum (the hole you poop from). Because a prolapse can cause other problems, it’s important to get it checked out by your healthcare provider.