The Biggest P Every Woman should Know

Periods. Pregnancy. Pelvic Floor.

But there’s a sneakier P that might be lurking in the shadows—like the ream mergence of TikTok:

Prolapse.

Prolapse is when your pelvic organs—like the bladder, uterus, or rectum—decide they’re done staying in their lane. Imagine your pelvic floor as a trampoline that’s lost its bounce. Without proper support, those organs start slipping into spaces they’re definitely not invited to.

In today’s piece, we’re diving into prolapse with the biggest P (Physiotherapist) in women’s health— Faith Duncan-Shotunde Sexual Pain Women’s Health, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist .A trailblazing women’s and pelvic health physiotherapist, Dr. Duncan-Shotunde empowers women to overcome sexual pain, fear, and anxiety, restoring pain-free and pleasurable experiences with evidence-based physiotherapy.

She’s also the visionary behind Thrust Perfect, a groundbreaking digital tool giving women worldwide access to pelvic physiotherapy in the comfort of their homes.

With a knack for helping set up over 11 more women’s health clinics, Dr. Duncan-Shotunde accolades include—Top 100 Career Women in Africa 2024 and Best Physiotherapist 2023—barely scratch the surface of her achievements.

She's essentially the Kobe Bryant of excellence in women’s health physiotherapy in Africa.

Before we go deeper, here’s a cheat sheet on what prolapse is;

1. Stage 1: Your organs are just peeking into spaces they shouldn’t. Symptoms might be minimal, but it’s a warning sign.

2. Stage 2: A bolder move—tissue bulges closer to or at the vaginal opening. The “uh-oh” stage.

3. Stage 3: The organs are now partially outside the vaginal opening, demanding your attention.

4. Stage 4: Full prolapse—organs have completely exited their usual boundaries.

Now, let's begin!

A: Thank you for being here with us, Dr. Duncan-Shotunde. Let’s dive in straight because we have some pretty common question that keep us ladies up at night: First , isn't prolapse just something that happens to pregnant women or older ladies?

Dr. D.S: You’d think, right? But no, prolapse isn’t picky. I’ve seen it in girls as young as 10, women in their 30s and 40s! It’s not an “old people” problem or a “pregnancy thing.” It’s an “anyone with a pelvic floor” thing. That said, prolapse isn’t showing up in toddlers—prolapse has its limits!

A: Would you say prolapse doesn’t discriminate based on size? Can slim people have prolapse too?

Dr. D.S: Absolutely. I’ve seen slim women with fourth-degree prolapse. It’s not about size—it’s about the mechanics of movement, pressure, and, well, life.

Sure, obesity increases the risk because of added pressure on the pelvic floor, but slim women aren’t immune. However, prolapse doesn’t discriminate– it plays by its own rules.

A: Speaking of pressure,there was a while back when we had videos of women peeing on themselves while weight lifting. By that theory what about lifting heavy stuff? Is it bad for your pelvic floor?

Dr. D.S: It can be, but not in the way you think. The problem isn’t the weights; it’s the form. If you’re holding your breath and bracing wrong, you’re putting downward pressure on your pelvic floor.

That’s where issues start. I always tell patients, “It’s not the weights; it’s the technique.” Breath control and proper posture are everything—forget what your gym instructor or that Instagram influencer told you.

A: Can physiotherapy really fix prolapse?

Dr. D.S: Oh, absolutely. Physiotherapy can manage prolapse without surgery in many cases. We work on pressure control, strengthening, and proper mechanics.

Surgery might seem like a quick fix, but it’s like slapping duct tape on a leaky pipe. Three years later, you’re dealing with new issues:leaking, pain, or worse. Even after surgery, physiotherapy is essential because ligaments loosen over time. Why not start with physiotherapy first? Most patients see improvement in 15 days, and my protocols typically resolve symptoms within six weeks.

A: What are the signs of prolapse?

Dr. D.S: Grab a mirror—it’s awkward, but if you see tissue bulging at your vaginal entrance or feel like something’s “in the way,” that’s a classic sign. Struggling to pee, leaking, lower back pain, or even constipation can also signal prolapse. If something feels off, get it checked out.

A: Are Kegels the answer?

Dr. D.S: Not always. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “Just do Kegels,” I’d be retired by now.

Seems like even health influencers don't even know how kegels work. Kegels can help, but they’re not a 911 solution. In some cases, they can make things worse if you’re doing them wrong or if they’re not what your pelvic floor needs. Even some OBGYNs aren’t well-versed in pelvic floor physiotherapy. Don’t rely on Google, TikTok, or your cousin who swears by Kegels. See a specialist.

A: I know we spoke earlier about obesity. Are there any habits that increase the risk of prolapse?

Dr. D.S: Smoking, for one. Nicotine weakens muscles, including your pelvic floor but you see that corset and waist trainers? Burn them!

They crush your insides and mess up your pressure systems. If you want a snatched waist, hit the gym—with proper form!

A: That's hilarious because of how mainstream that snatched look is! Definitely a look that could kill( pun intended).Another funny thing I've heard from the walls of the internet is how promiscuous people are more likely to get uterine, and possibly anal prolapse as well.

Dr. D.S- Not at all! Sexual activity is a natural action. It doesn't predispose to having prolapse at all. The only thing I could say is that the style and voracity of sex can predispose to having prolapse.

Putting all sorts of foreign objects is not healthy for the pelvic floor and this can cause a strain or serious damage.

Q: Is there anything that you, I and the reader can do to prevent prolapse? Especially as women?

Me: Definitely. Keep your pelvic floor happy by staying hydrated, eating high-fiber foods to avoid constipation, and practicing proper lifting techniques. And please, get regular screenings.As a healthy female, we need to take our reproductive health seriously as early as possible.A full assessment of every female issue; cervical screening and all of that. The truth is Prevention is always easier than treatment.If you’re worried about your pelvic floor, see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Prolapse isn’t the end of the world. It’s manageable—whether you’re 12 or 42, slim or curvy, lifter or lounger. Help is out there. You just have to ask.

So, there you have it folks.

If anything in this article resonated, make sure to say "Thank you Dr.Faith!" to our amazing guest.

And if you're wondering how to truly bask in this article and what it represents, Remember you can always book her Body-Ready Check for yourself to make sure that P doesn't become a problem.

Remember thriving beats surviving, every single time.