'Women just put up with it': Thousands suffer as prolapse surgery wait grows

Pelvic organ prolapse, a common condition in Australia, often goes undiagnosed due to insufficient communication of risks during childbirth. Australian experts warn that vaginal birth, prolonged pushing, and the use of instruments during delivery can weaken pelvic floor muscles and contribute to the development of this condition. While many women experience pelvic floor dysfunction, it may take up to a decade for symptoms to manifest.

Amy Lovell, a mother of a newborn, only learned about her extensive prolapse injuries eight days after giving birth in 2018. She endured a three-month period of distress before receiving an accurate diagnosis, which included third-degree tear, uterine and cervical prolapse, bladder prolapse, and bowel prolapse. Lovell's experience is not unique; a recent report found that approximately 407,265 Australian women live with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, with 219,171 of those cases attributed to vaginal births.

The treatment for pelvic organ prolapse varies depending on the severity of symptoms, with some patients benefiting from non-surgical interventions like vaginal pessaries or pelvic floor physiotherapy. However, about one in five people with the condition require surgery before the age of 85. Unfortunately, wait times for both initial consultations and surgeries in Victoria have been significantly lengthening, with some patients waiting between 18 months to three years for treatment.

Prolapse surgery is available in both public and private health systems, but wait times in the public system are considerably longer, often exceeding a year. Dr. Oliver Daly, an obstetrician, gynaecologist, and urogynaecologist, emphasizes the importance of educating women about potential risks during prenatal appointments. He argues that warning women about these risks could help prevent significant future trauma and empower them to seek appropriate medical help earlier.