MN Can we please support/highlight this? Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Great idea! I think this would be really useful.

Adding my support to this. I'd love information on how best to prevent this if possible. I'm on my second pregnancy and had never heard of it before this thread.

I support this idea wholeheartedly. When I first realised I had a problem, ( and I had at least heard of it ) and wanted to research, the threads highlighted here on MN were the only ones that gave me any insight to all the problems , and some solutions. It gave me the information to make an informed choice as how I wanted to proceed.

Thanks Caroline

Another sufferer here whose problem has recently been cured by surgery.

I was okay until menopause so luckier than many. Just wanted to add that I asked the surgeon this, and whilst childbirth is a significant factor, of course, I think he said 56% of women who have had vaginal deliveries will have a prolapse against 16% of women who have never had children. He said the rejection in oestrogen and progesterone after the menopause are major factors so we cant entirely blame giving birth.

I am awaiting surgery for mine and agree that it's a subject that needs more awareness of.

Please do support this!

Another supportive voice here.

(Tears excepted too)

I don't know how accurate it is and how much was hinting at not choosing a planned section, but I was told when I had ds2 that the damage was done from carrying the pregnancy, not from (an instrument free) birth itself

Count me in too. First child was C-section birth, we may have another baby and I want all the info before I decide about VBAC

I'm not sure if kegels help at the mild end. I've done them religiously (and properly - I checked) since I was a teen, but my genes obv weren't onside (with the EDS) so I don't know if it would have made a difference otherwise? My surgeon did comment that I had a ridiculously strong pelvic floor for someone in having the op

DJ they generally don't check. The problem is, prolapse isn't always obvious on looking when you are lying down - you'll need to bear down or have gravity on it for it to show unless it's at the very most severe end

Sounds terrifying. I want to know how to prevent it, if that's possible.

I'd support this and I'm shocked I've never heard it discussed. I'm curious, does anyone know if your GP checks you when they do a PAP? If you have a mild one do Kegel exercises help?

Completely agree really screening. If I'd known I definitely wouldn't have done a trampolining class which made it worse.

I would be happy to mail a copy of the 3rd edition to MN as Shakey15000 mentioned for MN review, to see if appropriate info to share (info can be found on the link in her post). It is so important women know signs of POP that seldom get talked mentioned in multiple posts above, such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, vaginal tissue bulge, chronic constipation, pain with intimacy, back pain, pelvic pressure, vaginal pressure, rectal pressure, bloat, tampons pushing out. Women may only have 1 really pronounced symptom or may have multiple less pronounced symptoms. These symptoms do not always mean POP, but very often do-50% of women will experience this condition. It is imperative we educate ourselves, and pass the info on to our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends in order to raise general awareness. POP has been on medical record for nearly 4000 years, long past time to open the closet door. Childbirth is the leading cause, followed by menopause, two of the most significant life events women navigate, we women should be screened for POP during routine pelvic exams but are not. Much is in motion, zero doubt POP will generate the next significant shift in women's health directives.

Yes please MN for web chat with Sherie Palm. POP has had a major impact on my life, we need to spread the word in the hope of preventing suffering.

For my prolapse diagnosis made me feel immediately like an Old Lady. Medical professionals commenting it was less likely this side of the menopause did not help. For me it was a hugely depressing diagnosis

Adding my support to this. Have v mild POP (I think) - no incontinence but it feels all wrong - sent to the bladder and bowel clinic where the nurse (?) was lovely but said it was not the right clinic for my issues. So still waiting to see whoever the right person is...

The French post-natal care sounds excellent. I read an article ages ago saying it was so wives could make their vaginas ready for their husbands again and I thought "how ridiculous!" Except three kids later, one by forceps, one weighing 9'4" and two with retained placentas, I TOTALLY get it. I want that French vaginal physio!

There is a mner here who is a POP specialist of some kind (maybe a physiotherapist??), I'm sure I remember. Will have a think what her name is...