Other Symptoms
Symptoms are the physical signs that an aspect of your health has changed. Symptoms vary from person
to person but certain symptoms indicate underlying problems. Women with pelvic support problems
may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Vaginal heaviness or a feeling that "something is falling out" - Women with prolapse report
feeling that "something is falling out." This may be caused by the shifting position of internal organs
that have lost their normal pelvic floor support. This may be the only symptom that some women experience
but it accurately describes the downward pull they may feel from a change in uterine position.
- Vaginal pain - Different from pelvic pain, vaginal pain may occur during intercourse or during
normal daily activities. Vaginal pain may also occur along with pelvic pain but may be experienced during
different activities.
- Anal pain - Pain in the rectum or during defecation may occur when the uterus has moved from
its normal position and is pushing up against the rectum or lower colon. It may occur at any time during
the day or may be worse before or after defecation.
- Difficulty passing urine or stool - The bladder and rectum are in close proximity to the uterus.
With uterine prolapse, all of these organs may be affected. It may be more difficult to void urine if the
urethra (tube that empties the bladder) is impinged upon by a lower uterine position.
- Backache - Sometimes a vague aching in the back may signal a problem with retroverted uterus or
other pelvic organ prolapse. The backache may be relieved by changing standing or sitting positions or by
lying down.