Aging, straining to urinate or defecate, childbirth, and a few other symptoms can lead to prolapses of the bladder, vagina, and rectum. Not only is this terrifying to see and experience, but it can also cause multiple other health problems. Essentially, your rectum turns partially inside out, and hangs out the body. Your uterus can slide backward out of your vagina, and your bladder falls down and blocks your urethra. To treat these issues, here are a few options:

Kegels

Kegel exercises, performed with or without weights inserted into the rectum or vagina, are the go-to option for most doctors. Kegel exercises help improve the strength of the pelvic floor muscles in BOTH men and women. Women perform them more often, but men are also told and taught how to use them, too. If Kegels do not help (which is rare), then you might have to try pelvic floor physical therapy.

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

A licensed pelvic floor physical therapist examines the exit holes in your pelvic floor to see where the weak spots are and determine why you are experiencing one or more prolapses. Then the therapist puts you through a different series of therapeutic exercises to help draw the prolapse back into the body, strengthen the pelvic floor, and prevent future prolapses. You will need a referral from your primary doctor to see one of these special therapists.

Surgery

Surgery is often a last resort for anything. However, when your bladder or rectum prevent you from urinating and defecating normally, a surgery that puts these inside-out organs back where they belong is necessary. The surgeon may use a surgical mesh product to reposition the prolapsing organs, or he/she may just digitally (with a finger!) put the organs back in place and stitch them to the abdominal wall.

Because of the complications related to surgery, healing, and being able to use the restroom, you may need a catheter and urine collection bag or colostomy bag for a while. These are also really uncomfortable, and you need to change and clean them regularly until your pelvic floor heals.

Discuss Your Options with Your Urologist, OB, and/or Primary Doctor

Whether you are a guy with prostate problems and/or you cannot urinate or defecate, or you are a woman with more than just vaginal issues, talk to a doctor. The doctor can tell you which type of therapy would be right for you. Then ask for a referral to a pelvic floor physical therapist since you will need one anyway if you choose surgery.