What Causes a Prolapsed Uterus

Uterine prolapse usually occurs in older, postmenopausal women (those who no longer have menstrual periods) who experience a weakening of the muscles that hold the uterus in place. This weakening is largely due to the loss of the hormone estrogen during menopause. Younger women do occasionally develop uterine prolapse as well, however, and not all elderly women have a prolapsed uterus. So, there are certain factors that put a woman at greater risk of developing this problem. They include:

Vaginal births. The risk is greater if a woman has had more than one child by vaginal birth, if she has had a particularly difficult labor and/or delivery, or if her babies were large. This is, of course, no reason to avoid a vaginal birth, which is by far the preferred method of childbirth, but the process can sometimes weaken the muscles and tissues surrounding the uterus.

Obesity. Excess weight puts additional pressure on the pelvis, weakening the muscles and tissues. Therefore, women who are very overweight are at greater risk of developing uterine prolapse as they age.

Chronic cough. In some cases, a chronic cough can contribute to the risk of prolapse, as it increases the pressure on the muscles and tissues of the lower body. This may include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a lung disorder. Therefore, it is important to try to find the cause of a repetitive cough and obtain the treatment necessary to alleviate it.

Chronic constipation. The straining that comes with repeated episodes of constipation can also put a great deal of pressure on the muscles and tissues of the lower body, sometimes contributing to the development of uterine prolapse.

Tumor. While it is quite rare, a prolapsed uterus can occasionally be caused by the presence of a tumor in the pelvic area.

Surgery. Also rare, some major operations of the pelvic area can cause damage to the muscles and tissues or weaken them, thereby causing a prolapsed uterus.

Weight lifting. A mild amount of weight lifting does not generally cause uterine prolapse, but women who are professional weight lifters or who lift an excessive amount of weight as part of their jobs or exercise programs are more prone to a prolapsed uterus.

Race/nationality. Due to genetics, Asians and African Americans are less prone to uterine prolapse, while Caucasian women are more likely to develop it.