Fellowship-Trained Urogynecologist
Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Green Bay, Wisconsin
✓ Medically reviewed March 2026
Recurrent Pelvic Organ Prolapse
If your prolapse has returned after a previous repair, you’re understandably frustrated. Prolapse recurrence affects approximately 10-30% of women after surgical repair, depending on the type of initial surgery. While it’s disappointing, it’s important to know that effective revision options exist.
Why This Happens
Prolapse recurrence can occur because:
- The same tissue weakness that caused the original prolapse continues
- A different compartment (front, back, or top) may prolapse after another is repaired
- The initial repair may not have been durable enough for your anatomy
- Continued risk factors (weight, lifting, chronic cough) stress the repair
Dr. Stewart explains: “Recurrence doesn’t mean the first surgery failed — it means the underlying tissue weakness is ongoing. Think of it like patching a tire that keeps hitting potholes. Sometimes we need a different approach the second time around.”
Signs You Should Seek Help
- Return of pressure, bulging, or heaviness
- New symptoms in a different area than the original prolapse
- Difficulty with bowel or bladder function
- Changes that are affecting your quality of life
Treatment Options
- Pessary — non-surgical management, especially if you want to avoid repeat surgery
- Revision surgery — using a different technique or approach than the original repair
- Sacrocolpopexy — if the initial repair was a vaginal approach, an abdominal mesh repair often provides better durability for recurrence
- Pelvic floor therapy — can improve symptoms and complement other treatments
Dr. Stewart notes: “For recurrent prolapse, I carefully evaluate what was done previously and what might work better this time. A different approach — particularly sacrocolpopexy if native tissue repair was used first — often provides the durable result we’re looking for.”
Your Next Steps
Recurrent prolapse is manageable. A urogynecologist with experience in revision surgery can evaluate your situation and discuss the best path forward.
Learn more about pelvic organ prolapse
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Dr. Stewart understands the unique challenges you're facing and is here to help.
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