How common is pelvic organ prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse is experienced almost entirely by adult women. It is more common in white and Hispanic women than in African American women.¹

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. Only 4% of women with pelvic organ prolapse have not experienced childbirth.²

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: October 25, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine R. Hugh Gorwill, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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