Vaginal prolapse is a condition in which pelvic floor support structures weaken and the bladder, uterus, or bowel descends into or through the vaginal canal. Professor Swati Jha is a subspecialty-trained consultant urogynaecologist in Sheffield offering the full range of prolapse assessment and treatment — from pelvic floor physiotherapy and pessary fitting through to laparoscopic surgery including sacrocolpopexy and hysteropexy. She holds RCOG subspecialty accreditation in urogynaecology and is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield. Private consultations at Spire Claremont Hospital (S10 5UB) and Circle Thornbury Hospital (S10 3BR). No GP referral required.
Subspecialty Urogynaecology · Sheffield
Vaginal Prolapse —
Assessment & Treatment
in Sheffield
Prolapse is common, frequently under-diagnosed, and often undertreated. A correct assessment by a subspecialty-trained urogynaecologist is the necessary first step — not every prolapse needs surgery, and not every prolapse that needs surgery needs the same operation.
What is Vaginal Prolapse?
Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor support structures weaken and the organs they hold — bladder, uterus, or bowel — descend into or through the vaginal canal.
It affects up to half of all women who have given birth, though many cases are mild and do not require treatment. When symptoms are present — a bulge, pelvic heaviness, bladder or bowel difficulties — they are frequently normalised or misattributed, and women may live with them for years before seeking assessment.
Prolapse is not a single condition. Getting the right diagnosis — identifying which structures are involved and to what degree — determines which treatment will work. This is not straightforward and benefits from subspecialty experience.
Symptoms of prolapse are not an inevitable consequence of childbirth or ageing. Many can be resolved or substantially improved with the right treatment. A specialist assessment is the right place to start.
Types of Vaginal Prolapse
More than one type may be present simultaneously. Treatment depends on which compartment or compartments are affected.
Anterior prolapse
Cystocele
The bladder descends into the front wall of the vagina. The most common type. May cause a vaginal bulge, difficulty fully emptying the bladder, or urinary symptoms including urgency and leakage.
Posterior prolapse
Rectocele
The bowel descends into the back wall of the vagina. May cause a vaginal bulge, incomplete bowel emptying, or the need to press on the vaginal wall to defaecate.
Apical prolapse
Uterine Prolapse
The uterus descends into the vaginal canal. Often accompanied by anterior or posterior prolapse. May be managed with uterus-preserving surgery (hysteropexy) if hysterectomy is not desired.
Post-hysterectomy
Vault Prolapse
The top of the vagina descends after a previous hysterectomy. Requires apical support — typically laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy or sacrospinous fixation — to correct durably.
Recognising Prolapse Symptoms
Symptoms develop gradually and may have been present for months or years. Many women normalise them or are told they are unavoidable.
These symptoms are not something you have to manage alone. Many can be addressed without surgery. A specialist assessment clarifies what is happening and what the options are — including whether treatment is needed at all.
When to Seek a Specialist Assessment
A specialist assessment is appropriate in any of the following circumstances.
- 1 You have a vaginal bulge or feel that something is coming down — this warrants examination regardless of whether it is causing symptoms
- 2 Your bladder or bowel symptoms have not been fully explained — prolapse is frequently overlooked as a cause
- 3 You have been told you have prolapse but are not sure what this means for your treatment options
- 4 Conservative treatment (physiotherapy or pessary) has not provided adequate relief
- 5 You want to understand all your options — including whether surgery is appropriate and if so, which procedure — before making a decision
- 6 You have had previous prolapse surgery and are experiencing recurrence or new symptoms
A GP referral is not required. I see self-referred patients directly.
Treatment Options for Vaginal Prolapse
I offer the full range of prolapse treatment. The right option depends on the type and severity of prolapse, your symptoms, and your goals.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Conservative management is effective for many women and is my first recommendation in most cases. It does not require surgery and does not rule it out later if needed.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy
- Vaginal pessary fitting
- Vaginal oestrogen
- Lifestyle modification
Surgical Treatment
When physiotherapy and pessary have not provided adequate relief, or when there is a clear functional indication, surgery offers durable anatomical correction.
- Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
- Sacrospinous fixation
- Hysteropexy (uterus-preserving)
- Anterior & posterior repair
What to Expect at a First Consultation
A private consultation is an opportunity to understand your symptoms properly and make an informed decision — with no pressure to proceed with anything.
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Detailed symptom history
I take a thorough history of your symptoms — how long they have been present, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life, bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
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Clinical examination
A vaginal examination allows me to identify which compartments are affected and stage the prolapse using POP-Q criteria. You can bring someone with you, and a chaperone is always available.
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Clear diagnosis
I explain what has been found — the type of prolapse, which structures are involved, and how it is staged — in plain terms.
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All treatment options
Conservative and surgical options are both discussed. I give you my honest recommendation. If surgery is not what I would advise, I say so.
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A clear plan
You leave knowing your diagnosis and what to do next — whether that is physiotherapy, a pessary fitting, a pre-operative assessment, or simply reassurance that no treatment is required.
About Professor Swati Jha
I am a consultant urogynaecologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield, where I have led the urogynaecology service since 2008. I am the Training Programme Director for RCOG subspecialty urogynaecology training in Sheffield — one of only 14 accredited centres in the UK.
My clinical work focuses exclusively on pelvic floor disorders: prolapse, incontinence, and their surgical correction. My published research covers surgical outcomes, mesh complications, patient-reported outcome measures, and sexual function — over 150 peer-reviewed papers and four books.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vaginal prolapse?
Vaginal prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor support structures weaken and one or more pelvic organs — the bladder, uterus, or bowel — descend into or through the vaginal canal. It affects up to half of all women who have given birth, though not all cases cause symptoms requiring treatment.
What are the symptoms of vaginal prolapse?
Common symptoms include a feeling of something coming down or bulging from the vagina, a visible or palpable lump at the vaginal opening, pelvic heaviness or pressure that worsens later in the day, difficulty emptying the bladder completely, needing to push on the vaginal wall to open the bowels, urinary leakage on coughing or exercise, and discomfort during sex.
What are the different types of prolapse?
The main types are cystocele (bladder into the front vaginal wall), rectocele (bowel into the back vaginal wall), uterine prolapse (uterus into the vaginal canal), and vault prolapse (top of the vagina after hysterectomy). More than one type may be present at the same time — which is common and affects treatment planning.
Can prolapse be treated without surgery?
Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy and vaginal pessary fitting are effective for many women and are my first recommendation in most cases. Vaginal oestrogen in postmenopausal women also improves tissue quality and symptoms. I recommend surgery only when conservative management has not provided adequate relief or when there is a clear functional indication.
Who treats vaginal prolapse in Sheffield?
I am Professor Swati Jha, a subspecialty-trained consultant urogynaecologist in Sheffield. I offer the full range of prolapse assessment and treatment at Spire Claremont Hospital and Circle Thornbury Hospital. No GP referral is required.
Does prolapse get worse over time?
Prolapse can progress without treatment, particularly if contributing factors — chronic straining, heavy lifting, or low oestrogen — are not addressed. However, prolapse does not inevitably worsen, and appropriate conservative management can stabilise or improve symptoms in many women.
Do I need a GP referral to be seen privately in Sheffield?
No. You can book a private consultation directly without a GP referral by contacting my secretary Lauren Hudson at admin@swatijha.com or calling 07990 251036.
Book a Private Prolapse Consultation in Sheffield
No GP referral required. Appointments typically available within one to two weeks. Consultations at Spire Claremont Hospital and Circle Thornbury Hospital, Sheffield.