I Blamed My Nighttime Bathroom Trips on Aging Until a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Diagnosis Changed Everything
'Surgery has truly been life-changing.' One woman shares the symptoms she ignored and the relief she found
In July 2024, I started noticing that my usually restful sleep was being replaced by frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night. I chalked it up to being in my 50s. Another sign of middle age.
What confused me even more were the moments when I would make the trip to the bathroom only to realize I did not actually have to go. There was just a lingering sensation of fullness in my bladder. Over time, that fullness turned into a bulging, heavy feeling, as if my internal organs were pressing down. I had experienced something similar during childbirth, but not since then. Curiosity turned into alarm, and night after night I went to bed asking myself the same question: What is going on?
Recognizing pelvic organ prolapse: My symptoms and signs
Like so many of us do when our bodies start acting in unfamiliar ways, I turned to Google. I do not remember exactly what Google told me was happening, but I do remember it reassuring me that I was not dying. I took that as my sign not to rush to the ER and instead wait for my next routine gynecologist appointment.
Woman's World Answers
When that appointment rolled around a few months later, my gynecologist attributed my symptoms to a weak pelvic floor resulting in pelvic organ prolapse. She explained that my options were surgery or a removable device called a pessary to help support my pelvic organs. The appointment was not very thorough. I left understanding my options in theory, but without feeling supported in figuring out the best decision for me, so I waited.
I went on to experience six more months of nighttime bathroom trips and a constant sense of heaviness that turned what should have been relaxing evenings after work into periods of stress. I was still able to play pickleball regularly, but I often played through discomfort. Other activities I enjoyed, like taking long walks, felt too physically demanding and had to go.
What is pelvic organ prolapse? An expert explains
“Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition where one or more pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, rectum or vaginal apex) descend from their normal position and bulge into or out of the vagina due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues,” says Julian Cereghini, MD, a urologist specializing in andrology and women’s pelvic health and a clinical development associate at FEMSelect.
What causes pelvic organ prolapse?
“Pelvic organ prolapse is caused by weakening or damage to the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues, most commonly related to childbirth, aging, hormonal changes and chronic increases in abdominal pressure,” says Dr. Cereghini.
“Any woman can develop pelvic organ prolapse, but it is more common in women who have given birth vaginally, are postmenopausal or have other risk factors affecting pelvic floor strength,” adds Dr. Cereghini.
Deciding I needed another opinion
I reached a point where I knew I could not keep living that way, so I decided to get a second opinion. I called my longtime primary care physician, who took the time to walk me through my treatment options. It was a huge relief to finally understand that there were things I could do to get my life back. After talking it through with her, I realized I wanted to explore surgery. She referred me to Axia Women’s Health, and I made an appointment.
Once I met my surgeon at Axia, the decision became clear. I felt confident that surgery would help me start getting back to my life. In July 2025, I had an outpatient procedure called EnPlace to treat my pelvic organ prolapse.
Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse
Dr. Cereghini says treatment for pelvic organ prolapse depends on symptom severity and may include pelvic floor physical therapy, surgery or support pessaries, which are removable devices placed in the vagina to help support the pelvic organs.
According to Southern Urogynecology, EnPlace treats uterine prolapse by supporting the uterus with two small devices placed through vaginal tissue, without cutting into the vaginal wall.
What to expect during recovery from prolapse surgery
The surgery was done under conscious sedation, which worried me at first. I was afraid I would be one of those people you hear about, becoming fully aware during the procedure and feeling pain. But to this day, I remember very little.
When I woke up, I urgently needed to use the bathroom but had difficulty urinating. I had been told that some women go home with a catheter, and I ended up being one of them. Dealing with a catheter for four days was not easy, but once I returned for my first follow-up appointment a few days later, things started to get better.
I did have some pain, which I expected, but it was manageable with Tylenol. About three weeks after surgery, I returned to my job as an occupational therapy assistant. I still had lifting restrictions of about 30 pounds at that point. By my six-week follow-up, those restrictions were lifted. Even then, I chose not to jump into an intense workout routine. I wanted to give my body time to heal. By that six-week mark, though, I found myself no longer worrying about everyday movements or lifting at work.
Life after prolapse: How I found relief at 57
The surgery has truly been life-changing. Before the surgery, I had gotten used to living with constant pain and discomfort, and I didn’t even realize how much mental space it took up. Now, not only is the pain gone, but it no longer dominates my thoughts. I do not have to adjust how I lie down to distract myself from a bulging sensation or limit how much water I drink to avoid the constant urge to urinate, only to find nothing happens. Today at 57, I’m finally getting back to myself.
I only wish I had known about my options sooner. Menopause is finally getting the attention it deserves, and that is important, but I wish we talked more about pelvic floor health and how much it affects quality of life.
I would encourage any woman who thinks she may be experiencing pelvic organ prolapse to seek medical care as soon as possible and find a primary care doctor or gynecologist who takes the time to fully explain what is happening and what options are available. If it is caught early, surgery may not be necessary. But if surgery is needed, I hope my story helps show that there have been real advancements and that these procedures can improve quality of life in ways that may be far less invasive than many people expect.
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