The experience of women with genital prolapse

Abstract

The concept genital prolapse indicates the transposition of the pelvic organs. These include the bladder, uterus, vaginal dome and the rectum. Regardless of the stage of genital prolapse, it can have a drastic influence on the quality of a woman’s life. It may lead to incontinence of urine and faeces, sexual problems as well as pelvic discomfort. The way in which a patient experiences these symptoms is of value to the nurse for whom holistic care is important. The aim of this study was, therefore, to describe the experiences of women with a diagnosis of genital prolapse. A qualitative study was carried out from a phenomenological viewpoint. Individual in-depth interviews were used as the method of data collection. The interviews took place in a relaxed, familiar environment. One open-ended question was asked, namely: “Please describe to me how you experience the symptoms of your condition”.