Jacqui Lambie has spoken out about vaginal prolapse. What is it – and how common is it?

Key points

• Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has spoken publicly about living with vaginal prolapse and the costs veterans can face when seeking treatment. Labor and crossbench figures backed her after she criticised a One Nation cartoon that mocked her condition.
• Jean Hailes chief executive Dr Sarah White described such ridicule as unacceptable and said people rarely discuss the condition openly.
• Vaginal prolapse occurs when the bladder, uterus or bowel pushes into the vagina, most often after pregnancy and childbirth, though heavy lifting, chronic straining and menopause can also contribute.