Causes of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

• Age. With increasing age, fascial tissues become stiffer and more liable to rupture and damage.
• Pregnancy and childbirth. During pregnancy, the fascia becomes more elastic and the pelvic floor may be damaged during childbirth.
• Hormonal factors. The effects of ageing and oestrogen withdrawal at menopause cause the fascia to be less elastic and more easily damaged.
• Smoking. Chronic chest disease resulting in a chronic cough leads to an increase in the intraabdominal pressure and exposes the pelvic floor to greater strain.
• Constipation. Repetitive straining causes chronically increased intraabdominal pressure.
• Obesity. This also causes increased intra-abdominal pressure.
• Exercise. Frequent heavy lifting and exercises such as weightlifting, high-impact aerobics and longdistance running also increase the risk of urogenital prolapse.