The uterus is secured in its place by a bunch of strong muscles and ligaments. When the area is stretched unusually it weakens these muscles and this can cause a uterine prolapse which is also termed pelvic floor hernia. In case of a uterine prolapse, there is a slipping of the uterus from its position into the vagina. There can be two kinds of prolapse – complete and incomplete. In case of a complete Uterine Prolapse, the uterus sags completely with some tissues remaining outside the vagina. In case of an incomplete Uterine Prolapse, the uterus sags partially.

A uterine prolapse occurs in several stages:

• First Degree Uterine Prolapse: In this case the cervix sags into the vagina
• Second Degree Uterine Prolapse: In this case the cervix is just at the opening of the vagina
• Third Degree Uterine Prolapse: In this case the cervix outside the vagina
• Fourth Degree Uterine Prolapse: also termed as procidentia, here the whole uterus is outside the vagina