Is Prolapse Inevitable?
One of the most common questions I hear is, “Is this normal?”
“Is it normal to pee when I sneeze?”
“Is this pelvic pressure normal?”
“AM I NORMAL?"
Let’s look at some numbers from the US Census Bureau. This is how many women are expected to have common pelvic floor disorders:
58 million have at least one pelvic floor disorder
41 million have urinary incontinence
25 million have fecal incontinence
9 million with pelvic organ prolapse
These numbers are for all women in the United States over the age of 20.
The risks get even higher as we age, lose estrogen, and naturally lose tissue elasticity in the pelvic floor.
So… yes, I’d say these things are normal.
This is a controversial statement in the pelvic floor physical therapy space… But the reality is that these experiences are very common, and you are not alone.
You also deserve choices.
While our RISK for prolapse goes up with surgery, age, and certain medical conditions, I believe our SUFFERING could be dramatically lessened with education.
The fact is, if we catch symptoms of prolapse earlier, we can fix the symptoms more easily.
In most cases of stage 1 and 2 prolapse, symptoms can be completely resolved with pelvic floor physical therapy alone.
This starts with awareness, education about our own bodies, and access to healthcare.
If you’re worried about what you’re feeling, ask for help. You deserve it.