[Genital prolapse in young women: a study of risk factors]

To determine the risk factors for genital prolapse in a group of 33 young women less than 45 years old. We studied 33 young women who had been operated for genital prolapse, whereas the control group consisted of women operated for benign gynaecologic disorders. In the study group the number of pregnancies and deliveries, the babies'weight, the positive family history of prolapse were heavier than in the control group. The women with prolapse had more often chronic pulmonary diseases, asthma, as well as operations for abdominal hernias. The mode of delivery, be it a cesarean section or the use of forceps, and the active second stage of labor had no effect whatever on the occurring of genital prolapse in young women. Our data support the suggestion that multiparity, babies weight and congenital factors are responsible for a higher rate of genital prolapse in young women