Genetics of pelvic organ prolapse: crossing the bridge between bench and bedside in urogynecologic research.

An increasing number of scientists have studied the molecular and biochemical basis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The extracellular matrix content of the pelvic floor is the major focus of those investigations and pointed for potential molecular markers of the dysfunction. The identification of women predisposed to develop POP would help in the patients' management and care. This article includes a critical analysis of the literature up to now; discusses implications for future research and the role of the genetics in POP.