Can you have sex with a prolapse or if you have incontinence? Yes!
We all want a satisfying sex life. But sometimes, medical conditions can get in the way of that. If you struggle with incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, sex can often be a source of great anxiety. Fear of leakage, odors, or even pain can sabotage intimacy and leave you feeling undesirable or anxious when it comes to intercourse. There are many things you can do to prevent incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse from interfering with your sex life. However one of the simplest things you might try changing is your sexual position.
Your sexual position can make big difference when it comes to easing anxiety about leakage or pain and enjoying sex. Certain positions can put lots of pressure on the bladder, making it more likely that you may have an episode of stress incontinence. And if you have pelvic organ prolapse, some positions may feel more uncomfortable than others. Here are a few sexual positions you may want to try, depending on your condition.
Sex Positions If You Suffer From Bladder Leakage:
Just as you may experience bladder leakage when you sneeze, laugh, or work out, putting extra pressure on your bladder or urethra during sex can also cause incontinent episodes. This shouldn’t hinder your sex life. While it may make you feel anxious, there are ways to avoid bladder leaks during intercourse. Women who are concerned about leakage during sex should avoid positions that put extra pressure on these areas.
Avoid: The missionary position, or all fours.
Try: Lying on your back with some pillows underneath your lower back. This position raises your pelvis and helps to reposition your bladder, reducing the extra pressure.
Sex Positions If You Suffer From Pelvic Organ Prolapse:
Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is a condition in which your pelvic floor is weakened to the point that one of your pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) “falls” into your vagina. Many women with POPs report feeling a heaviness or bulging feeling in their vagina or a feeling that they are sitting on top of a ball. In severe cases, the pelvic organ may protrude past the vaginal opening.
While this condition may leave you feeling uncomfortable and anxious about sex, rest assured that sex is still completely possible and will not affect the POP at all. Many women report having great sex even with a POP and, since it is extremely difficult for non-medical professionals to detect a prolapse, your partner probably doesn’t even know it’s there.
However, certain sexual positions can create discomfort in women with POP. Here are some positions to avoid, and some to try:
Avoid: Standing, “Cowgirl” or “Reverse Cowgirl” (where the woman is sitting on top). Gravity is not on your side here, and sitting or standing upright will only create more pressure on your pelvic floor during sex.
Try: Modified Missionary Position: The woman is lying on her back with a pillow under her pelvis and her partner is on top.
From behind: The woman is lying flat on her stomach or in a supported kneeling position with her partner entering the vagina from behind. (Note: Avoid this position if you have a rectal POP.)
Above all, be sure to communicate with your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t. Sex should be enjoyable for both of you so if something feels uncomfortable or doesn’t make you feel good, speak up. And, if you’re still having difficulty finding a position that works for you, or having pain during sex, talk with a pelvic floor physical therapist. They’ll help create a custom treatment plan to strengthen up your pelvic floor muscles and can suggest other tips that may make sex more enjoyable for you.
If you are worried about leaking during sex, you may also want to practice Kegels. Kegels can help strengthen your pelvic floor so that you have more control over bladder leakage. Want to learn how to perfect your kegel? Read our how-to guide! You can also visit our Pelvic Health Resource Center where you’ll find more tips and education, pelvic floor and core workouts, and a FREE 6-Week Guide To Better Pelvic Floor Health.
31 Responses
I’m 52, I have hiatal hernia and had surgery a year ago for that..I still have a hole in my diaphragm and have lost my job and now I have pelvic prolapse..I haven’t seen a dr yet because I have to wait 2 weeks to talk to primary to get a referral for a gynecologist..should I be doing certain exercises or go to ER ?? I am really depressed about this.I have never even heard of this before..it quit devastating to me..I haven’t had sex with my boyfriend yet and I’m afraid to tell him about it.
I have a minor prolapse bladder , I wasn’t aware that having hysterectomy that this could be something that happens years later ! When the first time a cough I could feel it pooping which didn’t hurt but freaked me out I’m like what the heck was that I thought maybe my bladder sling gave away so hoping maybe just needed a new sling would help but not in my case and had 3 hernia surgeries so when it’s time to do the prolapse they can’t not do the robotic surgery cause I have a 12×25 mesh across my belly so they have to go inside I’m like oh that’s just great lol my husband passed away 8 years ago so I don’t have to worry about sex , I’m single and not interested in any relationship specially right now ! The prolapse scares the crap out of me !
20 years ago had a total hysterectomy. Now have a vaginal prolapse. See a pelvic floor physio-specialist for exercise. Which is imperative to avoid surgery.
Need to know more about this issue.
Do pelvic floor exercises help with a bladder prolapse like do8ng kegels?
I have a prolapse bladder. I had the surgeries six months ago and it was all better, but it came loose and now it’s protruding my vagina worse than it was before the surgery. This is such good information because I wasn’t sure if I could have sex with it this way
My bladder is in my vagina. I have scar tissue so no surgery. I have not had sex in 21 years and I am so sad about it. This article makes me feel like maybe I can find someone.
I have this bulge I don’t think it’s all the way out, but it hard to do doggy style position pretty much I can still do missionary or lie on my back but it’s just the doggy style position or from the side idk I’ve been dealing with this since 17 idk what happened, something just all of a sudden
Went wrong .
All of this information has really been good information for me so now I can go to a urologist and see what can be done with my bladder and rectum getting fixed
I have uterine prolapse with both a rectocele and cystocele (where the wall of the rectum and the bladder both bulge into my vagina. I didn’t want surgery unless I HAVE to. I just got fitted for a pessary to keep the uterus back where it belongs. I love it! Also, my doctor said I only need to come in every 4 months to get it cleaned and reinsert (I couldn’t reach far enough to do it myself). Sex is fine with it she said–it will stay in place and if I ever am not single again.
I had a hysterectomy and a TVT many years ago and the front of my bladder had dropped and it was bulging out of my Virginia so I needed to get it fixed , I went to see a OBGYN / Urologist, Dr and she was able to fix it and I feel so much better . Try seeing a Doctor that is both .
Worst feeling ever when i think of having sex, its so painful.
I went for gyne appointment and he wanted to feel yoh, i was screaming its to painful.
I can’t even sit properly than its painful, is there underwear that’s help with comfort or must i rather just walk naked.
Uterine prolapse which does feel like sitting on “ball” I guess you could say. Can you have sex by going along side of prolapse to have penis enter. The dr examines that way and tests they enter that way as well.
Great arrival for women. Unfortunately,I’m not one of them. What can man do,?
If our uterus is completely fallen out and we have sex on our 3day of.periods will I get conceived or pregnant
I have had a POP for about a year. It is very painful to have sex, a lot of lubricant does help. But sex is not enjoyable any more. Thinking about the surgery.
I am afraid to have sex since I have POP.. I had a bunch cancer biopsy which came back negative. I had been using a # 3 paserry. My urilogust tried to put it back in but it was too big SHE said my vagina had shrunk. I have nit had sex on many years. Sm getting married soon and I am afraid to have sex, but after reading some answers. I now believe I ca
I’m so fed up with this ! During sex the other day it was like a vaginal wind with popping and painful. Since then I’ve had backache. I really don’t want the op😕basically as it’s not 100% it will work.
My husband cannot enter my vagina. And it has a bulge in it that he cannot get past, what is that?
I had the surgery done and did not work for me, i went through lots of pain, being in bed for 6 weeks high hospital and Doctor bills am still having the same problem, my Doctor recommend another surgery at this point I don’t know what to do, this problem is taking my lifestyle away I am just frustrated.
It’s typically a hysterectomy, although there are other options too:https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/womens-pelvic-health/patient-education/uterine-prolapse-treatment-without-hysterectomy
Thank you so much. So much info, it’s been a wonderful help.
Can someone tell me what surgery they do for a uterine prolapse? I think I’m looking at surgery for mine.
Thank you
I found out a couple of years ago about having a prolapse of the vagina after having or trying to have a smear and was unable to do tha
I have a civix prolapse and I can not feel it but it rally hurts my partners penis and is finding it hard to have sex with me as it’s painful so I need help with that I just need to find some new positions so it hurts him less /not at all
My husband thinks that there are feces loose in my vagina and hasn’t touched me in almost 3 yrs. How can I reassure him theres not?
I had great sex even with a vaginal vault prolapse but had the surgery so am now more confident.
I haven’t had sex in many years due to having had my bladder fall years ago. For the first time in a long time I feel like I can be a woman again. Thanks
Omg!!!thank you so much…I have been in tears…this really helped!!😁
Thank you!
Excellent article!