What does vaginal prolapse look like?

Author: Dr. Aurelio Jacobson  |  Last update: Friday, September 19, 2025

Prolapse ranges in severity from very mild (i.e., prolapse that can only be felt by your doctor on examination) to severe (where one or more of the pelvic organs actually protrude through the vaginal opening). A severe prolapse looks like a red ball protruding from the vagina.

What are the first signs of a prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms include:
  • a feeling of heaviness around your lower tummy and genitals.
  • a dragging discomfort inside your vagina.
  • feeling like there's something coming down into your vagina – it may feel like sitting on a small ball.
  • feeling or seeing a bulge or lump in or coming out of your vagina.

What does prolapse look like in the mirror?

With a grade 2 or 3 level prolapse, you may be able to feel a small bulge in the vagina or at the vaginal opening, or may even be able to see the bulge coming out of your vagina when looking with a mirror.

What are the red flags for prolapse?

Sometimes, pelvic organ prolapse has no symptoms. When symptoms happen, they might include: Seeing or feeling a bulge of tissue at or beyond the opening of the vagina. Pelvic pressure, heaviness or pain.

Can you feel prolapse with your finger?

In most cases, your provider can feel a prolapse by inserting a gloved finger in your vagina or upon a visual inspection of the area. In some cases, you may not have any symptoms and your provider discovers a prolapse during a pelvic exam.

Uterine Prolapse

What can be mistaken for prolapse?

The most common disorders that pelvic organ prolapse is mistakenly diagnosed as include urinary and fecal incontinence, constipation, and irritable bowel disease. Unfortunately, when pelvic organ prolapse is misdiagnosed as urinary incontinence, surgical outcomes are poor and women can be left with worsened conditions.

What shrinks a prolapse?

In rectal prolapse, the rectum can only be shrunk when its mucosa is swollen due to the buildup of fluid in it. For this, before pushing it inside the anus, you can apply a few granules of sugar to it, and let it rest there for a few minutes. Sugar will absorb the excess water in the rectum and cause it to shrink.

What happens if prolapse is left untreated?

An untreated prolapse can cause sores on the cervix (opening to the uterus) and increase chances of infection or injury to other pelvic organs.

Why does sugar fix a prolapse?

If you have difficulty reducing your prolapse, apply granulated sugar to the prolapsed rectum. Let the sugar sit for 15 minutes and then attempt to reduce the prolapse again. The sugar will absorb the extra water in the prolapse and cause the prolapse to shrink. You must use granulated sugar.

Can my partner feel my prolapse?

Will Sex Feel the Same for My Partner? It is very difficult for anyone who's not a gynaecologist to see or feel a prolapse. You may feel like it's the most prominent part of your body because you are so focused on it at the moment, but rest assured that your partner will be far more interested in the rest of your body.

What should you not do with a prolapse?

Do not do activities that put pressure on your pelvic muscles. This includes heavy lifting and straining. Try exercises to tighten and strengthen your pelvic muscles. These are called Kegel exercises.

What does a bottom prolapse look like?

Symptoms of rectal prolapse include a lump or swelling coming out of your anus, constipation, straining to pass bowel movements and feeling discomfort or pain. Rectal prolapse is most common in women over 60 and young children under three. But people of any age can get it.

What falls out when you have a prolapse?

A prolapse occurs when your pelvic floor muscles are damaged or weakened to the point where they can no longer provide support. This causes your pelvic organs to drop into or out of your vagina. Uterine prolapse can be mild or severe depending on how weak the supporting muscles of your uterus have become.

What does a prolapse feel like to touch?

If the prolapse is more pronounced, it may feel like a bulge or lump in the back wall of your vagina. You can insert a (clean) finger or two to feel for a rectocele. Place pressure on the back part of your vaginal wall so that you're pressing the tissue closest to your rectum.

How common is vaginal prolapse?

Vaginal prolapse is relatively common. About one-third of women will experience some degree of prolapse during their lifetime. If you have more than one risk factor, your chances of developing vaginal prolapse increase.

How to fix vaginal prolapse?

Treatment options include:
  1. lifestyle changes.
  2. pelvic floor exercises.
  3. hormone treatment.
  4. vaginal pessaries.
  5. surgery.

Does drinking water help prolapse?

Staying hydrated not only improves training, it will help with a wide array of pelvic floor dysfunction. If you find that drinking enough water during the day is challenging, I recommend getting a larger water bottle and keeping it with you all day long.

What foods are bad for prolapse?

Spicy/Acidic Foods to Avoid with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction:
  • Tomatoes.
  • Citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit)
  • Vinegar.
  • Hot sauce.
  • Chili peppers.
  • Salsa.
  • Mustard.

Does Epsom salt help with prolapse?

At-home remedies for prolapsed haemorrhoid relief:

Take a warm bath or sue a Sitz bath with Epsom salt several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and soothe the area. Apply a cold compress to the area for 10-15 minutes several times a day.

How do I check myself for prolapse?

Insert 1 or 2 fingers and place over the front vaginal wall (facing the bladder) to feel any bulging under your fingers, first with strong coughing and then with sustained bearing down. A definite bulge of the wall under your fingers indicates a front vaginal wall prolapse.

What is a stage 3 prolapse?

The four categories of uterine prolapse are: Stage I – the uterus is in the upper half of the vagina. Stage II – the uterus has descended nearly to the opening of the vagina. Stage III – the uterus protrudes out of the vagina. Stage IV – the uterus is completely out of the vagina.

How bad does a prolapse have to be before surgery?

Consider surgery if the prolapse is causing pain, if you are having problems with your bladder and bowels, or if the prolapse is making it hard for you to do activities you enjoy. An organ can prolapse again after surgery.

Should I push my prolapse back in?

Healthcare providers recommend that you lie on your side with your knees to your chest and use a wet, warm cloth to gently push your rectum back into place. However, prolapse will continue to worsen over time. Untreated rectal prolapse can lead to several possible complications, including: Fecal incontinence.

What drinks should you avoid with a prolapse?

Caffeine and carbonated drinks can irritate the bladder and contribute to urinary incontinence, so it is best to limit your intake.

Why put sugar on a prolapse?

Rectal prolapses often are associated with quite a bit of rectal mucosal edema. Sprinkle granulated sugar onto the area. Wait 15 minutes. The sugar reduces the edema by osmotically drawing out the fluid.

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