Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a disorder in which one or more of the pelvic organs drop from their normal position. POP can be caused by injury to the muscles or tissues that support the pelvic organs. The main cause of this injury can be pregnancy and childbirth, especially vaginal childbirth. Other causes include prior pelvic surgery, menopause, and aging. This problem also runs in families. Your symptoms can be influenced by movement strategies (breath holding, poor control of intra-abdominal pressure) as well as lifting and toileting habits (straining, valsalva bearing down aggressively).
Research has shown that less severe presentations of POP can improve with pelvic floor muscle training. Addressing issues such as constipation, Valsalva with lifting and breath-holding/posture with daily activities can improve control of intra-abdominal pressures in the body, potentially reducing the feeling of heaviness in the perineum that can accompany POP.
You may have been told you need to stop doing sit ups, CrossFit and lifting activities. Appropriate muscle training and an individualized exercise plan can return you to sport in many cases of less severe POP.
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