Prolapse may occur at any age and even in women who have never borne children.
But it is far more common in those who have had several pregnancies and in those past the menopause.
Some women are prepared to tolerate the discomforts, but most are aware of the medical care available and seek treatment.
The female pelvic organs are held in place by a number of structures. Ligaments of the womb are attached to the side walls of the pelvis and form a sling to support the uterus.
Two main muscles stretch across the lower pelvis and offer support and a thick piece of tissue sits just under the skin between the opening of the vagina and the rectum.
A prolapse is like a hernia of the female genital organs. Three main problems usually occur together, but there may be a combination of two or one only.
There is descent of the womb; the bladder may fall backwards through the lax front wall of the vagina; the rectum may fall forwards through the lax back wall.
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