There are many methods of classifying pelvic organ prolapse. No one system is universally agreed upon. But the system approved by the International Continence Society, called the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POPQ), is considered one standard.¹ This system uses a fixed point at the entrance to the vagina (the hymen) and measures the distance between the farthest tip of the prolapsed organ and this fixed point. The system also uses defined points inside the vagina to determine what kind of prolapse has occurred.

Your doctor may use one of the many classification systems to determine the level of an organ's prolapse. Identifying the exact level of prolapse helps guide decisions about which treatments are most likely to offer long-term success. The classification-"grade" or "stage"-of a prolapse is determined many different ways. Ask your doctor to explain how he or she classifies pelvic organ prolapse.