On its own, pelvic organ prolapse is distressing. The condition affects many women and people with vaginas as they age and can cause significant discomfort. But for many, the bigger concern is what causes the condition —  can a prolapse be caused by cancer? A prolapse can have similar symptoms to the early stages of cancer, so this is an important question to ask.

A pelvic organ prolapse typically doesn’t indicate cancer. However, a prolapse is still a serious health condition that is often painful and can progress if it is not treated. Professional urological and gynecological care is necessary to treat the prolapse and prevent further health complications.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Overview

A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic organs descend from their natural positions, pushing against or moving into the vaginal canal. This happens when the pelvic muscles weaken and are no longer able to support the pelvic organs. 

Prolapse can happen to several organs in the pelvic region, including the uterus, rectum, or bladder. This condition is more common than you might realize, affecting nearly half of women between the ages of 50 and 79. People who have given birth are at greater risk, as pregnancy can weaken the pelvic muscles and tissues. 

If you have experienced a POP, there are several treatment options available. For mild cases, nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy or pessary support devices may be effective. However, more severe cases might require pelvic organ prolapse repair surgery. 

Prolapse Causes

There are a variety of underlying health conditions and lifestyle factors that can cause a prolapse. These include: 

• Family history: If your family members have also experienced POP or have weak connective tissues, you will be at a higher risk for experiencing a prolapse yourself.

• Aging: When we age, we lose strength in our muscles and connective tissues. As the muscles naturally weaken, they may struggle to hold the pelvic organs in place, causing prolapse. 

• Childbirth: Delivering children stretches and weakens the pelvic floor muscles, making them more prone to prolapse later in life. Those who have delivered more than one baby are at a higher risk of developing these conditions. 

• Obesity: For obese patients, extra weight can put stress on the pelvic muscles and organs, making them more likely to descend. 

• Chronic conditions: Some chronic health conditions, such as chronic cough or chronic constipation, can make you more likely to develop POP. This is because they put additional strain on the pelvic muscles. 

• Heavy lifting: If you have a job or hobbies that require frequent heavy lifting, the additional stress on your torso could make you more prone to prolapse. 

• Pelvic surgery: Some pelvic surgeries weaken the surrounding muscles and tissues, which can result in prolapse. 

If you have one or more of these risk factors, your urologist or gynecologist can recommend preventative measures to help you avoid a prolapse in the future. 

Prolapse Treatments

While prolapse can be uncomfortable and even painful, treatments are available to correct the problem. The importance of the pelvic floor cannot be overstated — strengthening these muscles helps to support the pelvic organs and hold them in place. 

• Pelvic floor exercises: Physical therapy focusing on pelvic floor exercises helps build the strength needed to correct the prolapse.  

• Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, treating chronic conditions, and avoiding strenuous activities can help manage prolapse in some cases. 

• Hormone treatment: Prolapse patients who are in menopause often have low estrogen levels, which weakens the connective tissues in the vagina and can make prolapse worse. Hormone treatments help boost estrogen levels to solve this problem. 

• Vaginal pessaries: Pessaries are silicone devices placed in the vagina to provide additional support for the surrounding pelvic organs. 

• Surgeries: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to move the pelvic organs back into place. This option is only used after other treatments have been ineffective. 

Your doctor can recommend appropriate treatments based on the symptoms and causes of your prolapse. 

Can a Prolapse Be a Sign of Ovarian Cancer?

Early prolapse symptoms can be frightening. But can prolapse be a sign of cancer?

The short answer is no. Prolapse is not a sign that you have cancer. The two conditions have not been scientifically linked. Some scientists theorize that a POP could make you more prone to bladder cancer or other pelvic cancers later in life, but this has not been proven. 

However, the symptoms of ovarian cancer and POP are often very similar. If you experience these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. 

Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Here are some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer to watch for. 

• Pelvic pain: You may feel aching pressure or even sharp pain in your pelvic region or in your lower back.  

• Frequent urination: You may need to urinate more often than usual or feel a very intense urge to urinate that comes on suddenly. 

• Loss of appetite: An inexplicable loss of appetite is a common symptom of cancer. You may also feel full after eating just a few bites of food. 

• Weight loss: Ovarian cancer can cause rapid weight loss that is otherwise inexplicable. 

• Changes with bowels: You might feel bloated or constipated more often than usual or notice a change in the frequency of your bowel movements. 

• Vaginal bleeding or discharge: Ovarian cancer can cause abnormal bleeding or discharge that differs from what you would experience during a typical menstrual cycle. 

• Fatigue: Extreme fatigue is common among cancer patients. You may feel tired even with a whole night’s sleep. 

While some of these symptoms are similar to those of a POP, things like a loss of appetite or sudden weight loss are specific to cancer. Your doctor can help identify the causes of these symptoms and recommend personalized treatment options. 

Common Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Some early symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse look similar to ovarian cancer, but they are two very different conditions. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a POP. 

• Pelvic pressure: You might feel a sense of intense pressure or heaviness in your vagina, your lower back, or elsewhere in the pelvic region. 

• Vaginal bulge: A prolapse creates a bulge in the vagina, which you can feel when inserting a finger or tampon. In some cases, you may also be able to see the bulge from the opening of your vagina. 

• Pain during intercourse: The pressure caused by a POP can result in pain during sexual intercourse. 

• Bowel and urinary issues: A prolapse can cause a variety of bowel and urinary issues. You may feel like you are urinating more often than normal, struggle to urinate, or have trouble completing bowel movements. 

• Lower back pain: Prolapse can put painful pressure on your lower back, especially if you are struggling with a rectal prolapse. 

You may experience some or all of these symptoms, depending on the type of prolapse you experience. 

Take Back Your Health and Happiness at Golden State Urology

Pelvic organ prolapse is not a sign of cancer, but it should still be taken very seriously. This condition causes discomfort and interferes with your daily routine. 

However, there are many treatment options available for patients struggling with prolapse. At Golden State Urology, we can help you find the best treatment for your needs so you can live a healthy life. Your happiness is our success. Explore our services or book a consultation to learn more.

Prolapse FAQs

Here are some of the questions we often get about pelvic organ prolapse. 

What can be mistaken for prolapse?

Due to the similarity of their symptoms, several health conditions can be mistaken for prolapse and vice versa. For example, many pelvic cancers cause changes to urinary and bowel movements and pain in the pelvic region, all of which are also symptoms of prolapse. 

Prolapses are often mistaken for hemorrhoids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and a variety of other urinary and gynecological conditions. This is why getting a professional diagnosis and treatment is so important. 

Is it safe to have a colonoscopy with a prolapse?

In most cases, it’s safe to have a colonoscopy when dealing with pelvic organ prolapse. However, patients should consult with their doctor before the procedure, as the colonoscopy will require extra care to keep them comfortable and prevent complications. 

What’s the difference between a prolapse vs. hernia?

A pelvic organ prolapse is a type of hernia. A hernia happens when any internal organ descends or pushes through the muscle supporting it due to surrounding muscle and tissue weakness. Therefore, a prolapse is a hernia of the pelvic organs. 

Is there any scientific research connecting prolapse and cancer?

No, there is no definitive scientific research linking prolapse and cancer. However, some experts in the field have speculated that experiencing a prolapse could make patients more prone to uterine or gynecological cancers in the future. Further clinical study is needed to support or disprove this hypothesis.