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How Common Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is experienced almost entirely by adult women. It occurs more often in women older than age 50. It is more common in white and Hispanic women than in African American women.

Pelvic organ prolapse is caused most commonly by labor and childbirth. A woman's risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse is 8 times greater after two vaginal births. Her risk increases by 12 times with four or more vaginal births.1

Citations

  1. DeLancey JOL (2008). Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and evaluation of pelvic organ support. In RS Gibbs et al., eds., Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10th ed., pp. 818–838. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised October 7, 2010

Last Revised: October 7, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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