Can pelvic organ prolapse return after you had surgery to repair it? Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery can significantly improve your comfort and quality of life but even after a successful repair, yes, prolapse can return over time. The good news is, there are steps you can take to help protect your pelvic floor and lower the chances of recurrence.
Prolapse Can Come Back After Surgery
Surgery repairs weakened tissues, but it can’t completely reverse all the factors that caused prolapse in the first place. Aging, ongoing pressure on your pelvic floor, chronic coughing, constipation, heavy lifting, and genetic factors can all contribute to prolapse returning.
Steps to Help Prevent POP from Coming Back
Here’s how you can support your pelvic health after surgery:
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions: After surgery, follow lifting restrictions and activity guidelines carefully. Healing tissues need time to get strong.
Avoid Heavy Lifting: Try not to lift anything heavier than your surgeon recommends—even long-term. Heavy lifting increases pressure on the pelvic floor.
Manage Chronic Cough: If you have allergies, asthma, or a smoker’s cough, talk with your doctor about managing symptoms to reduce strain on pelvic tissues.
Prevent Constipation: Eat a high-fiber diet, stay hydrated, and exercise regularly to keep bowel movements soft and regular. Straining can stress the pelvic floor.
Maintain Healthy Weight: Excess weight increases pressure on pelvic tissues. Losing even a small amount of weight can help protect your repair.
Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor: Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can help keep the muscles that support your organs strong. Ask your doctor or a pelvic floor therapist about safe exercises for you.
Stay Active—But Smart: Gentle exercise, like walking or swimming, is great for overall health. Avoid high-impact activities unless cleared by your doctor.
Listen to Your Body: If you notice symptoms returning—like vaginal bulging, pressure, or urinary problems—don’t wait. Early evaluation can help prevent more significant prolapse or other complications.
We Can Help
At Cherokee Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to helping you stay healthy after pelvic organ prolapse surgery. If you have questions about prevention or symptoms, schedule a consultation with our team of experts, including our double board-certified urogynecologists. We’re here to help you protect your pelvic health for the long term. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or simply schedule an appointment online.
