Prolapse Isn’t Dangerous. The Way We Talk About It Is.
How medical language can trigger dysfunction.
You’ve just been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse. And suddenly, it feels like your whole body is falling apart. Not only your body but your life.
Many women I work with leave the doctor or whoever diagnosed them with very little information, often not knowing what organ is affected, what degree of prolapse they have, what it means and with a belief that they are broken and will need surgery. The recommendation is to do pelvic floor exercises and avoid impact exercise and lifting anything heavy. What if you are a mum of a clingy toddler or going through menopause and have been told to do impact and lift weights? Where does that leave you?
For many women, it plunges them into a deep sense of fear and lack of trust in their own body. Like the flick of a switch or click of your fingers, you go from confident living your life to fearful of every movement or normal activity.
What no one tells you: Fear alone can change how your pelvic floor functions.
My Whole Body Pelvic Health Method restores balance back in the body so that the pelvic floor can function fully. It does this by making sure your joints, connective tissue and muscles are all mobile and hydrated. Because we understand more and more from award-winning science that movement truly does heal, just like Joseph Pilates said.
If we are not moving, breathing fully, our whole body stagnates, stiffens and loses its capacity to function, self-heal and maintain good neuromuscular coordination. This is particularly important for your pelvic floor and fear is the absolute enemy of a well-functioning and self-healing pelvic floor.
Fear triggers your fight-or-flight response. Even just typing that phrase makes me tense up so imagine the prolonged experience of that on your pelvic floor.
- Tense, guarded pelvic floor muscles
- Shallow breathing and poor pelvic floor and core coordination
- Heightened awareness of symptoms because they are being compressed
- Avoiding movement out of fear (which can make symptoms worse and make you avoid even more)
- Limiting your life choices.
It’s not just emotional – it’s neuromuscular.
Here’s some ways that you can shift from fear to function:
1. Calm Your Nervous System
- Try breathwork: slow, soft belly breathing. Allowing gentle, not forced, expansion of your belly and a full exhale.
- Use grounding or meditation to restore a sense of safety
- Learn more about prolapse – knowledge really is power, and you can listen to episodes of the podcast all about it, or join the prolapse awareness month for free
2. Rebuild Trust in Your Pelvic Floor
- Let it go, let it go – when you notice tension, know that what your body needs is for you to trust it and let go of the gripping and worrying.
- Use movement that focuses on release, integration and coordination, not just squeezing
- Work with your whole body for true support because the pelvic floor does not work in isolation.
3. Return to Movement (Gently)
- Focus on what you can do, you can decide, does it actually make my symptoms worse or have I just been told it might?
- Walking, stair climbing, or Pilates (yes, really!)
- Start with what feels doable – celebrate small wins
- Avoiding life makes things harder. You can move again with confidence.
You are not broken.
Your body is not failing you.
It’s asking for attention, support, and a new approach.
You’re not alone, and you have more choices than you’ve been told.
PS: If you’re ready for guidance that goes beyond Kegels and fear-based advice, our Whole Body Pelvic Health Membership is here for you. Tap into live sessions, expert Q&As, and a community of women walking the same path. [→ Join us here ]
Join me for June POP (Prolapse Awareness Month)
