Lifestyle and home remedies

Kegel exercises are exercises you can do at home to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. A strengthened pelvic floor provides better support for your pelvic organs and relief from symptoms associated with anterior prolapse.

To perform Kegel exercises, follow these steps:

• Tighten (contract) your pelvic floor muscles — the muscles you use to stop urinating.
• Hold the contraction for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds. (If this is too difficult, start by holding for two seconds and relaxing for three seconds.)
• Work up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds at a time.
• Do three sets of 10 repetitions of the exercises each day.

Ask your doctor for instructions on how to properly perform a Kegel, and for feedback on whether you're using the right muscles. Once you've learned the proper method, you can do Kegel exercises discreetly just about anytime, whether you're sitting at your desk or relaxing on the couch.

To help keep an anterior prolapse from progressing, you can also try these lifestyle modifications:

• Treat and prevent constipation. High-fiber foods can help.
• Avoid heavy lifting, and lift correctly. When lifting, use your legs instead of your waist or back.
• Control coughing. Get treatment for a chronic cough or bronchitis, and don't smoke.
• Manage your weight. Talk to your doctor to determine your ideal weight and get advice on weight-loss strategies, if you need them.