Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major female health problem with a negative impact on quality of life. The most valid symptom of POP is the sensation of a bulge in the vagina.
Therapeutic options for POP include surgery and conservative treatments such as insertion of a pessary or pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT).
Recent systematic reviews have concluded that PFMT reduces POP symptoms and severity stage and PFMT has been shown to:
- Increase pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and endurance;
- Reduce the levator hiatus area;
- Lift the bladder and rectal ampulla;
- Increase PFM volume; and reduce PFM length.
However, the recurrence rate after POP surgery is high, ranging from 10 to 54%. Because of this, it could be assumed that the success rate of POP surgery would increase by combining surgery with PFMT.
