Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options Beyond Surgery

Written By Chelsea Speegle

What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and connective tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken, allowing one or more organs to descend into or through the vaginal canal. It's a common condition, and understanding your options can help you make informed decisions about treatment.

There are three main types of prolapse:

  • Cystocele — the bladder descends into the front wall of the vaginal canal

  • Rectocele — the rectum descends into the back wall of the vaginal canal or through the anus

  • Uterine prolapse — the uterus slips into the vaginal canal and may protrude beyond the vulva

What Does Prolapse Feel Like?

Prolapse symptoms can vary, but many people describe sensations of heaviness, pelvic pressure, a visible or palpable bulge in the vagina, or a feeling that a tampon is falling out. Bladder and bowel symptoms — such as difficulty emptying, urgency, or leakage — may also accompany prolapse.

What Causes Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Prolapse develops when the connective tissue and muscles that support the pelvic organs become weakened or stretched. Contributing factors include hormonal changes during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause. However, the most common causes involve prolonged or repetitive increases in abdominal pressure — such as chronic coughing, heavy lifting without proper pressure management, and chronic constipation. Recent research has also identified a genetic component to prolapse risk.

Treatment Options for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pessary

A pessary is a non-surgical device inserted into the vagina to provide internal support and relieve prolapse symptoms. Finding the right fit may take a couple of attempts — one size does not fit all. It's important to work with a medical provider who is trained in thorough assessment and pessary fitting.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A pelvic floor physical therapist will assess your posture, breathing mechanics, pelvic floor muscle function, and other areas of the body that may be influencing your symptoms. Treatment focuses heavily on pressure management education — learning how to reduce and control intra-abdominal pressure during daily activities, exercise, and lifting. In many cases, a pessary can be used in combination with pelvic floor PT for optimal results.

Surgery

Surgical repair is an option for certain cases of prolapse, though not all procedures are successful long-term. Research shows that patients who complete pelvic floor physical therapy both before and after surgery tend to have better outcomes and higher success rates. This is because they've already learned how to manage intra-abdominal pressure and optimize pelvic floor muscle function — skills that support long-term surgical results.

Prolapse Treatment in the Denver Tech Center

If you're experiencing symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, know that you have options beyond surgery. At Pelvic Symphony PT in Greenwood Village, Dr. Chelsea Speegle, PT, DPT, PCES provides individualized assessment and treatment to help you manage prolapse and return to the activities you enjoy. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation.

Chelsea Speegle

Dr. Chelsea Speegle founded Pelvic Symphony PT with a simple belief: the body works like a symphony. Every muscle, joint, and system plays its own part, and when they work together, everything functions the way it should. When something is off, her job is to find which instrument is out of tune.

Chelsea earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University in 2017 and began her career in orthopedics, where she quickly recognized how often pelvic floor dysfunction was connected to the conditions she was treating. That connection sparked a focus that has shaped her career ever since.

She has completed extensive advanced training in pelvic health through Herman and Wallace from Level 1 through capstone courses, including pelvic rehabilitation for athletes. Chelsea holds certifications in Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise, trigger point dry needling (Levels 1 and 2), and pelvic floor dry needling. She has received specialized training in men's pelvic health, including male pelvic pain and erectile dysfunction, through Integrated Pelvic Care. She is currently expanding her expertise in low pressure fitness through the teachings of Becky Keller.

Chelsea takes an individualized, whole-body approach with every patient. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, she assesses posture, breathing, movement, and pelvic floor function to identify what's actually driving the problem. Her goal is to restore confidence and quality of life for every person who walks through the door.

When she's not in the clinic, Chelsea enjoys long distance running, snowboarding, reading, playing the piano and cello, and spending time with her husband, two boys, and their dog and cat.

Doctor of Physical Therapy | Pelvic Health Certified | Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist | Trigger Point Dry Needling Certified | Pelvic Floor Dry Needling | Low Pressure Fitness level 1 and 2

https://www.pelvicsymphonypt.com
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