Aims To determine the differences in pooled prevalence rates of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) across different US racial/ethnic groups using existing screening‐based epidemiologic studies. Methods A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus was conducted to retrieve eligible studies. We included studies that identified POP by either physical exam or questionnaire, conducted in non‐gynecologic care‐seeking settings, and had a representative sample of US community‐dwelling women from more than one racial/ethnic group with prevalence rates reported for each population. Meta‐analysis was performed with the pooled estimates calculated, and χ 2 tests were performed to examine the associations between race and POP prevalence. Results Of the 2604 studies reviewed, 5 were included. One study used physical exam findings while others used questionnaires to identify POP. All but one study demonstrated statistically significant differences in POP prevalence rates based on race/ethnicity. The overall pooled POP prevalence rates were determined for each racial/ethnic group—White women: 10.76% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.30%–11.22%); Hispanic women: 6.55% (95% CI, 5.83%–7.28%); Black women: 3.80% (95% CI, 3.22%–4.38%); and Asian American women: 3.40% (95% CI, 2.09%–4.71%). There was a significant difference in the pooled prevalence rates among these four racial/ethnic groups (p < 0.01). Conclusions Our study found that White women had the highest pooled POP prevalence rate overall, while Hispanic women had the highest pooled prevalence among minority women. Additionally, American Indians and Pacific Islanders were absent from the current prolapse epidemiologic literature.

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A person’s health is not only affected by their disease states, but also the quality of care and posttreatment sequelae. Research shows that disparities exist in benign gynecologic surgery access to care, techniques, and perioperative outcomes. Surgical education, pathways that emphasize minimally invasive approaches, and patient-centered care that recognizes historical influences on patient perspectives are critical to dampening these disparities.

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