How to improve your prolapse symptoms

The pelvic floor muscles are a group of muscles that sit at the base of your pelvis and help to keep your bladder, uterus (womb), vaginal and bowel in the right place. These muscles are like any muscles in the body and should be kept strong and active.

Strong and healthy pelvic floor muscles have been shown to improve vaginal prolapse and also bladder and bowel problems and improve sexual function. NHS Inform have a section on Women's pelvic floor muscles which you might find useful.

It might be helpful to look at a 3D video of these muscles inside your pelvis.

The NHS Tayside patient information leaflet on Pelvic Floor Exercises for Women has useful information on how to do these exercises and other hints and tips.

Pelvic floor exercises need done regularly - usually this means 3 times per day. It can be challenging to remember to do pelvic floor exercises regularly so you might find using an App on your phone helpful Squeezy NHS is a really good option and only costs a few pounds.

There is good evidence that constipation (and straining) can contribute and worsen symptoms of prolapse. There are lots of things you can try to do to manage constipation such as maintaining a good intake of fluid, eating a healthy diet with plenty fibre, regular toilet routine and good positioning when sitting on the toilet. Please have a look at our information leaflets on Constipation, Golden Linseeds for Constipation and Good toilet positioning. We have a video below which you might find useful and you can also look at our Bowel Problems section of the website.  

Being overweight can make stress urinary incontinence worse and there is good evidence that losing weight will improve your symptoms. Please have a look at NHS Inform weight management programme, check out our Lifestyle & Activity section and watch this video below.

We have linked some other information that you might find helpful below