[Diagnosis of uterovaginal prolapse]

Uterovaginal prolapse is a frequently occurring problem, being encountered in 2-88 per 1000 women in the population. When diagnosing uterovaginal prolapse, both the anatomical abnormality and the severity should be indicated. Anatomically, three compartments can be distinguished: the anterior compartment comprises the urethra and bladder, the middle compartment the uterus, and the posterior compartment the rectum. The compartments may prolapse individually but also in combination. The severity of prolapse is assessed per compartment during the Valsalva-maneuver; the determining factor is the position reached by the most prolapsed part in relation to the (remains of the) hymen. The 'Pelvic organ prolapse quantification'(POP-Q)-system has been developed for a standardised description of a prolapse. This system consists of 9 defined points and distances in the urogenital region. Additional investigations in the diagnosis of vaginal prolapse, such as imaging, are only of limited value.