Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms include:
- A feeling of heaviness and pain around your lower tummy, genital area and lower back
- A dragging discomfort inside your vagina
- A feeling of something coming down into your vagina
- Seeing a bulge or lump coming out of your vagina
- Numbness and discomfort during sex
- Experiencing problems when you pass urine, such as feeling like your bladder is not emptying fully, needing to go to the toilet more often, or leaking a small amount of urine when you cough, sneeze or exercise (stress incontinence)
Rectal prolapse symptoms can include:
- A lump you can feel outside your back passage.
- The lump may only appear after you have had your bowels open (pooing).
- The lump may come out when you stand or walk, or when cough or are sneezing.
- A clear or slimy brown discharge coming from your bottom.
- Not being able to control when you have your bowels open (have a poo).
- Finding it difficult to keep yourself clean around you back passage and bottom area.
- If the prolapse / lump stays outside of the body it can sometimes swell and get bigger, and become very painful. This is called a strangulated prolapse.
If you suspect you have a strangulated rectal prolapse go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital.