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Epidemiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse (M Weinstein, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Understanding and applying the epidemiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is necessary to provide quality patient care to a growing and aging female population. As the elderly population is expected to almost double from 2012 to 2050, POP will become more prevalent, placing greater demands on our health care system and specialty-trained providers. In this review, we will evaluate and summarize recent literature and also highlight older studies of clinical significance that contribute to an overall understanding of the topic. While prevalence rates vary, the proportion of women with bothersome POP symptoms is approximately 3–6 % of women. POP is associated with decreased quality of life and a variety of bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction symptoms. Treatment options include expectant management, nonsurgical options, and surgery. For this review, we will review the prevalence of POP, trends in the management of POP, and future care needs with regard to POP.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, University of North Carolina, Campus Box 7570, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Maggie F. Wilkins & Jennifer M. Wu

Authors
  1. Maggie F. Wilkins
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  2. Jennifer M. Wu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maggie F. Wilkins.

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Conflict of Interest

Maggie. F. Wilkins declares no conflict of interest.

Jennifer M. Wu declares grant support from Boston Scientific for an industry-sponsored study on POP surgery and long-term outcomes.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Financial Support

Dr. Wu is supported by K23HD068404, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pelvic Organ Prolapse

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Wilkins, M.F., Wu, J.M. Epidemiology of Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 5, 119–123 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-016-0149-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-016-0149-z

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