POP-Q Measurement System for Prolapse

What Is the Pop-Q Measuring System?

In 1996, as transvaginal mesh slings were being introduced to the market, a committee from the International Continence Society (ICS), in collaboration with the American Urogynecology Society (AUGS) were tasked with creating a standard system of terminology to effectively describe pelvic organ prolapse in women. The “POP-Q” system, as well as providing standard terminology, provided a way to quantify and measure the level of pelvic organ prolapse. As with any “standard system”, it was intended to identify “normal” and to find a uniform way to specify the different stages of prolapse. This should ensure that specialists, regardless of where they are in the world, can speak the same language regarding pelvic organ prolapse (rectocele, enterocele, cystocele and uterine prolapse).  The diagram below shows the POP-Q system parameters.

Next we can look at the pb (perineal body). Did you know there are three layers of muscles that make up your pelvic floor? The perineal body is an intersection for many of the muscles within these layers and plays an important role in the functional stability of your pelvic floor.  During vaginal birth, the perineum often tears or is sometimes cut with scissors (episiotomy). Oftentimes, the job of stitching up the perineum after birth is not adequate leaving instability (which also results in a larger genital hiatus).  By measuring this area, your doctor gains valuable information about the condition of your perineal muscles and the tone of your pelvic floor. PFMT will help a lot with restoring strength and bulk to this area.

Total vaginal length (tvl) is exactly that – the length of your vagina from the just inside the vaginal opening (hymen) to the very deepest point. With prolapse, your organs can fall out of your vagina, so knowing its length allows doctors to see the depth of your prolapse. Once everything is back in place, doctors can also measure the result of the anatomical repair.

Aa and Ap are the mid point of the front (anterior) and back (posterior) walls of the vagina respectively. For the purpose of uniformity, in a normal vagina with no prolapse, this point is assumed to be 3cm up from the hymen just inside the vaginal opening. Measurements range from -3 (no prolapse) to +3 (prolapsed completely past the hymen)

Ba and Bp are the highest points in the vagina for the front wall (anterior) and back wall (posterior). As both Ba and Bp are measured from point Aa and Ap, they are assumed to be -3 for a normal vagina with no prolapse. For each cm these points descend, a cm is added to this measurement up to total vaginal length if the entire vagina is prolapsed.

Point C measures the edge of the cervix. This measurement is used to see if the cervix is prolapsing. Point D is then compared to Point C to gauge if the opening to the cervix has been stretched.