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Pelvic health for women
Pelvic organ prolapse treatment in Shirley, MA
The short answer
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the bladder, uterus or rectum drops lower than normal because the support around them has been stretched. It often feels like pressure, heaviness or a bulge, and it is very common after pregnancy and around menopause. Pelvic floor physical therapy helps many women ease the symptoms, feel more supported and stay active, often without surgery.
On this page
What usually causes prolapse
The pelvic floor muscles and tissues work like a hammock that holds the pelvic organs in place. When that support gets stretched or weak, an organ can sag down. These are the most common reasons.
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Carrying and delivering a baby, especially a long pushing phase or a large baby, can stretch the pelvic floor.
- Menopause
- Lower hormone levels can make the supporting tissues thinner and less springy.
- Straining
- Years of constipation, a chronic cough or straining on the toilet push down on the pelvic floor over and over.
- Heavy lifting without support
- Lifting while holding your breath puts a lot of pressure on the pelvic floor, whether it is kids, groceries or weights.
- Symptoms that change through the day
- Many women feel fine in the morning and notice more heaviness after standing, lifting or a long day. That pattern is a common sign of prolapse.
When to get it checked
Get checked if you feel pressure, heaviness or a bulge in the vagina, if you have trouble emptying your bladder or bowels, or if symptoms keep you from exercise or activities you enjoy. See your doctor soon if you have bleeding, a sore on the bulge, or you cannot pee. Go to the emergency room if you suddenly cannot empty your bladder at all, or you have severe pain with fever.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Exhale when you lift
- Breathe out as you lift a child, a laundry basket or a weight. Holding your breath pushes down on the pelvic floor.
- Keep things moving
- Avoid straining on the toilet. Water, fiber and a small footstool under your feet make bowel movements easier.
- Take a break and lie down
- If heaviness builds during the day, lying down for a few minutes can ease the pressure.
How we treat prolapse at Whole Health Solutions
Your pelvic health therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish, in a private room. We listen to your story, check how your pelvic floor, breathing and core work together, and build a plan around your goals.
01
Relieve
Breathing, lifting and bathroom habits that take pressure off the pelvic floor so the heaviness eases.
02
Rebuild
Pelvic floor and core strength done the right way for you, so your organs feel supported through the whole day.
03
Perform
A confident return to walking, running, lifting and the workouts you love. When you are ready, our personal trainers keep you going.
04
Thrive
Stay strong through every season of life, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond, with a team that already knows your story.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
Common exercises for pelvic organ prolapse
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for pelvic organ prolapse. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our pelvic health therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about pelvic organ prolapse all the time.
Read more from our team
Blog posts and newsletter tips from our clinicians that go with pelvic organ prolapse.
Talk to a pelvic health therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about pelvic organ prolapse
Can pelvic floor therapy help prolapse without surgery?
For many women, yes. Pelvic floor physical therapy can ease pressure and heaviness and help you stay active. For some women a support device from their doctor or surgery is also part of the plan, and therapy helps before and after that too.
Can I still exercise with a prolapse?
Usually, yes. Most women can keep exercising with the right breathing, pelvic floor support and a smart plan. We help you find what feels good and build back up to the things you love.
Will a prolapse get worse over time?
Not always. Many women stay the same or improve with the right exercise and habits. Straining, heavy lifting without support and constipation can make it worse, so those are the first things we work on.
Do I need a referral for prolapse?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our pelvic health therapists.
Visit us
Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.