Prolapse in Women: What Every Mum Needs to Know About Early Detection and Prevention

For many mums, prolapse is one of those topics that doesn’t get talked about enough — or it’s only brought up when symptoms start to show. Yet, studies suggest that up to 76% of women may have some degree of prolapse without even knowing it.

That means most women won’t notice any pain, pressure, or bulging sensations, but small changes in pelvic floor support may already be happening. The good news? With the right awareness and early action, you can prevent symptoms before they ever become a problem.

Let’s break down what prolapse really means today — and what you can do to protect your body through every stage of motherhood.

Prolapse Isn’t What You Think It Is

The medical definition of prolapse has recently changed. It’s now described as:

“A descent of at least one vaginal wall to or beyond the hymen during a maximal valsalva (bearing down) plus bothersome symptoms or functional/medical compromise.”

In simple terms — it’s not just about the physical position of the tissues. It’s about whether those changes are causing symptoms that affect your daily life.

That means if you have tissue descent but no discomfort, pressure, or functional issues, you may no longer be classified as having a “prolapse.”

But that doesn’t mean your pelvic support system is perfectly fine. Subtle changes can still be happening — and they’re worth paying attention to.

The Numbers Every Mum Should Know

• Symptomatic prolapse: affects around 3–6% of women
• Asymptomatic prolapse (changes without symptoms): affects about 76% of women

Even if you feel fine, your body may be adapting to the changes that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, and daily movement patterns.

Why Early Awareness Matters

You don’t need to wait for symptoms to appear before you take action.
Even without discomfort, reduced muscle tone, chronic constipation, or poor body awareness can increase the risk of prolapse developing over time.

Understanding and addressing these factors early helps:

• Improve tissue support

• Maintain core and pelvic floor strength

• Reduce risk of future symptoms

The Good News: Prolapse Can Improve

Prolapse isn’t always permanent. Research and clinical experience show that it can improve — and even fluctuate — with pregnancy recovery, strengthening exercises, and lifestyle changes.

With consistent support from a women’s health physiotherapist, many women find that symptoms lessen and confidence in movement returns.

What This Means for Mums

Don’t wait for symptoms.
Scheduling early pelvic health check-ins — even if you feel fine — can help identify risks before they become concerns.

Safe, progressive exercise can help build tone, stability, and resilience in your pelvic floor, creating a stronger foundation for everything you do.

Trainers and physios working together ensures that your workouts are both effective and protective, keeping you active without compromising pelvic health.

Final Thoughts

The updated prolapse definition doesn’t make pelvic health any less important — it makes prevention and education even more vital.

Your body deserves proactive care, not just reactive treatment.
So whether you’ve had a baby recently or years ago, remember: Prevention is always better than cure.