What are the symptoms of uterine prolapse?

Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 22, 2025
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Patients with mild uterine prolapse generally do not exhibit symptoms. Severe prolapse can cause pulling on the ligaments and fasciae, resulting in pelvic congestion, with patients experiencing varying degrees of soreness in the lower back or a sensation of heaviness. Symptoms become noticeable after standing for extended periods or after fatigue but significantly lessen after resting in bed. It is crucial for patients experiencing uterine prolapse to seek timely medical examination at a hospital to determine the severity of the condition. Patients with mild uterine prolapse can also use traditional Chinese medicine or acupuncture and other physical therapies to promote the recovery of pelvic floor muscle tension and relieve local symptoms. If the prolapse is severe, surgical treatment may be necessary, and it is generally advised to avoid cold and fatigue.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Will sexual intercourse cause bleeding in cases of uterine prolapse?

When women suffer from uterine prolapse, bleeding usually does not occur during intercourse. Bleeding only occurs in certain special circumstances, such as when a woman suffers from severe cervical erosion or acute cervical inflammation, where the cervical surface exhibits congestion and edema. Furthermore, some women with severe symptoms of uterine prolapse might have the cervix protruding outside the vaginal opening; the friction between the cervix and undergarments can lead to local ulcers, and even infections. In such cases, intercourse might cause bleeding from cervical trauma. Generally, the amount of bleeding is relatively small, which may manifest as blood streaks in vaginal discharge.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the causes of uterine prolapse?

There are many causes of uterine prolapse in women, for instance, the most common one occurs during pregnancy and childbirth, especially when methods such as forceps delivery are used, which may damage the pelvic floor muscles or injure the vaginal wall. This causes damage to the pelvic floor muscles, and if not properly recovered postpartum, it can lead to prolapse. Additionally, some women might suffer from conditions like chronic pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, long-term coughing, or have liver diseases or malignant tumors leading to a significant build-up of ascites. Frequent heavy physical labor or even simple obesity can increase abdominal pressure, causing uterine prolapse.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to deal with second-degree uterine prolapse?

Once a second-degree uterine prolapse is detected, it is also necessary to determine the treatment plan based on the patient's age and the presence or absence of clinical symptoms. If the patient is young and without apparent clinical symptoms, conservative treatment methods can be chosen. However, if the symptoms are severe and affect the patient's daily life, surgical treatment is needed. The specific surgical treatment plan should also take into account the patient's wishes.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can uterine prolapse heal itself?

Uterine prolapse is generally difficult to heal completely on its own. Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus descends from its normal position along the vagina, with the cervical external os reaching below the level of the ischial spine, or even the entire uterus protruding outside the vaginal opening. This condition is difficult to recover from by itself. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the causes of uterine prolapse are generally attributed to physical weakness or deficiency of Qi and blood. Therefore, it may be appropriate to use some tonic Chinese herbal medicines for treatment. Additionally, comprehensive conditioning through diet and exercise can also be beneficial. Enhancing nutrition by consuming foods such as black chicken, Chinese yam, goji berries, and jujube, which are considered to have tonic effects in traditional Chinese medicine, can strengthen the body and improve conditions like uterine prolapse, providing significant help. If the prolapse is beyond the hymen and symptomatic, surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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The main causes of uterine prolapse

The causes of uterine prolapse in women are complex, with the most common being pregnancy and childbirth, especially multiple childbirths, which can lead to damage to a woman's pelvic floor muscles. Some women experience this during vaginal delivery using instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors, which can injure the pelvic muscles and lead to uterine prolapse. Some women may engage in heavy physical labor too soon after childbirth before their pelvic floor functions have recovered, affecting the recovery of pelvic tissue tension and leading to uterine prolapse. Additionally, uterine prolapse may also occur in women who are overweight, suffer from internal medical conditions such as chronic cough, ascites, or constipation, which increase the pressure inside the abdominal cavity.