[Genital prolapse in young women: a topical issue]

Genital prolapses usually occurs in the post-menopausal period. Patients under 50 years of age with genital prolapse represent about 25% of candidates for surgical reconstruction in our center. Some of these patients wish to conserve their child-bearing potential and most want to be able to have a normal sex life. Five per cent of these women, all under 35, have isolated hysterocele and a hypertrophic uterine cervix. This article focuses on the etiology, prevention and new surgical treatments of genital prolapse in young women. Etiologies include late age at first pregnancy, chronic lung disease, and perineal damage during delivery. Connective-tissue and collagen disorders predominate before 35 years of age. New surgical procedures include vaginal repair with synthetic mesh. Laparoscopic sacropexy is still the gold standard. Prevention includes non traumatic delivery (Caeseran section), while pelvic floor exercises are mandatory after vaginal delivery.