How common is vaginal prolapse?

Prolapse Anatomy

Vaginal prolapse is fairly common.  Experts suggest that between 30 and 50 percent of women will develop a prolapse at some point in their life.  Of those women, up to 6 percent will experience uncomfortable and/or painful symptoms. 

There are two main ways in which to treat a vaginal prolapse. 

• Biologic Grafts - transplantation of skin designed to reinforce weakened vaginal tissue
• Vaginal Mesh - a synthetic means of strengthing the weakened vaginal tissue

Many believe biologic grafts are superior to using vaginal mesh, given that there tend to be fewer complications; however, biologic grafts also tend to be considerably more expensive and don't have as many applicable uses as its synthetic counterpart.  With regards to possible complications, there is an increased risk that the mesh is more likely to protrude through the area in which it's been placed.  This is known as erosion.

Last year alone, at least 100,000 women had vaginal mesh implants to correct vaginal prolapse.