If you’ve ever felt like prolapse is impacting far more than just your body, you’re absolutely right.
For so many women, pelvic organ prolapse doesn’t just cause physical symptoms like bulging, heaviness, or discomfort. It reshapes how you move through the world – emotionally, socially, and mentally. It alters your daily decisions, your confidence, your relationships, and even your sense of self.
This week, we’re breaking the silence around what really changes when you live with POP.
The Psychological Weight
- You might feel like a stranger in your own body, avoiding the activities you used to love like hiking, lifting, or running.
- The constant worry that something might “fall out” leads to hypervigilance and anxiety.
- For many, there’s a sense of betrayal or mistrust, especially if the prolapse followed childbirth.
The Social Strain
- Prolapse is still a taboo topic, which means too many women are suffering in silence.
- You might stop going to fitness classes or skip social events just to avoid explaining symptoms.
- Even close relationships and intimacy can feel strained when your partner doesn’t fully understand what you’re going through.
The Emotional Load
- Behind the silence is often grief – for the body you once had, or the ease you used to feel.
- Many women feel angry that they weren’t warned this could happen after birth or with age.
- Shame and embarrassment creep in, especially in public or intimate settings.
The Lifestyle Changes
- You may plan your day around bathroom access, avoid picking up grandchildren, or stop exercising out of fear.
- Loose clothes, disrupted sleep, and giving up independence become your new norm.
- Even basic things like shopping or housework can feel overwhelming.
But here’s the truth: You are not alone.
And you don’t have to accept this as your forever. The traditional medical approach often overlooks this side of the story. But at Whole Body Pelvic Health, I know that true healing includes your emotions, your environment, and your everyday choices.
I know first-hand the debilitating impact of prolapse, the feeling of being less than a woman, choosing not to join in activities because of the discomfort and avoiding intimacy. Prolapse is so much more than weak muscles. That’s why I believe in addressing the whole person, not just the pelvic floor. That means supporting you physically and emotionally with tools that are accessible, realistic, and affirming.
Here are a few things you can do today:
Psychological support
→ Practice positive reframes, journal your wins, and rebuild self-trust
Social support
→ Talk to a trusted friend, join a community (like ours at WBPH), and share your story
Emotional nourishment
→ Allow space for grief, give yourself permission to feel, celebrate small victories
Lifestyle adjustments
→ Prioritise sleep hygiene, stay hydrated, use tools like a Squatty Potty, and focus on what you can do
To learn more and gain practical guidance, listen to this week’s episode of Hope for Your Pelvic Floor.
Or, join our free Prolapse Awareness Month resources and connect with a supportive, empowering community of women just like you.
Let’s take the shame out of this conversation, because you deserve hope, choice, and whole body healing.