Uterine prolapse is when a portion of the uterus descends into the vaginal canal. The uterine wall is made up of smooth muscles that cannot be contracted, so no exercise exists to directly strengthen the uterus. Instead, medical professionals may recommend exercising the muscles that surround the uterus, particularly those that make up the pelvic floor. While this may not sound like much, strengthening these muscles can help keep the uterus in place.
Uterine Prolapse
The benefit to working the pelvic floor is that its muscles and the surrounding tissue hold the uterus in place. If these muscles, ligaments and other tissues weaken, they may begin to stretch, which can allow a portion of the uterus to drop into the vaginal canal. When this occurs, your uterus is prolapsed. This can lead to bowel and urinary difficulties, as well as back pain, a pulling sensation in your pelvis, pain during intercourse and tissue protrusion from the vagina.
Kegel Exercise
The only exercise known to improve the strength of the pelvic floor is the Kegel exercise. To do this type of exercise, contract the pelvic muscles normally used to stop urination. It should feel as if the muscles in your pelvis are moving in and up. Try stopping the flow of urine to help you learn which muscles to contract. Once you've gotten the hang of it, hold for 10 seconds, then release. Try to do three sets of 10 repetitions each day.
Pregnancy
Uterine prolapse generally doesn't affect your fertility, and sufferers can often expect a normal pregnancy. During pregnancy, the uterus grows proportionate to the size of the fetus. At about 12 weeks, the uterus will be too large to descend into the vaginal canal and will situate itself as normal within the abdomen. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t have your condition monitored, but it won’t likely pose any problems during pregnancy.
Warning
Although stopping the flow of urine to learn the Kegel exercise is acceptable, you shouldn't make a habit of it, warns the Mayo Clinic. The repeated practice can lead to further weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. The same can be said for doing Kegel exercises with a full bladder.
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