Pelvic organ prolapse: anatomical and functional assessment

<h2>Abstract</h2> Pelvic organ prolapse is an increasingly common condition that relates to weakened endopelvic fascia and pelvic floor dysfunction. Around 11% of patients presenting with prolapse undergo surgical management of the same and a vast proportion of these patients will also have a re-do operation due to recurrence. Prolapse can be exceptionally debilitating to quality of life for some women and the effect it has doesn't always correlate with the stage of prolapse. History taking includes not only prolapse specific symptoms but also other pelvic floor symptoms known to have the same aetiology such as bladder or bowel dysfunction including incontinence. A key part of consultation is to determine the effect on quality of life and there are validated questionnaires available to help with this. We have different classification systems in use for examining and staging prolapse: the POP-Q system being the one now globally recommended for use.