megs - i've got a moderate prolapse, and I see a physio who specialises in PF stuff - she's in Ringwood (outer Melbourne). I could ask her if she can recommend anyone in country vic If you want to PM me where you are.

My understanding of prolapse is this (sorry if I'm telling u stuff u know!). This tissue in the vagina gets stretched (either near bladder, uterus, or rear - can't remember right word lol! but there's three different types of prolapse) - can be from straining (constipation, childbirth, lifting, coughing) or genetic weakness. Once it's stretched it will generally stay stretched. But, if you imagine your pelvic floor muscle sitting underneath that tissue helping hold it all up. So if you strengthen your PF, it will hold up the prolapse better. And there may be minimal improvement with the prolapse over time, but the PF being strong minimises how much you feel the symptoms. So the GP is right when he says that only surgery fixes it. But, I know my physio says that most of them are quite manageable and surgery is not required - I've been advised I shouldn't need surgery with a moderate prolapse, I just need to learn the best way to manage it. If you're not getting symptoms, it's not bothering you, I'd be very surprised if you'd need surgery. Symptoms are usually a heavy dragging feeling, or sometimes a chafing/out of place feeling. I find it a complete PITA to be honest! At my worst (half way during my last PG) I've had tissue actually bulging right out. But now it's pretty good. And I have done HEAPS of work on my PF!

The other thing is if your PFM is quite weak, sometimes the exercises won't actually strengthen them, or may not strengthen them properly, so I think being assessed is probably a really good idea for you. In order to check what is going on, the physio does need to feel just inside the entrance to do this, but it's not as bad as a pap smear for e.g.! Just a little finger inside either side to assess the muscle strength, and also to check the prolapse. Certainly my phsyio was always very respectful & polite in the way she did this. I had never realised that physios did that kinda stuff before tho! Then there's a range of treatment options depending on your situation.

Hope this is helpful. PM me if you have questions or wanna give me a rough idea of whereabouts you are. GL!

Cheers,
Belfie