To ask people to talk about their prolapse in this section?

[SpokeTooSoon]

I know there used to be a long-running thread about it in health but I wanted to ask some up-to-date questions.

I have a prolapse. I saw a women’s physio for pelvic floor help last summer. It made some difference to urge incontinence but not loads. She said I didn’t have a prolapse just a weak pelvic floor and that pretty much all women who’ve given birth have a degree of prolapse.

Before Christmas I felt the urge incontinence was getting worse and also felt a bulge down below. Saw GP and got referred to a gynae. She said I was prolapsing but it wasn’t too bad and would be best managed without pelvic floor exercises and by stopping high-impact exercise and taking up swimming and cycling instead. She said to see her in three months.

In the past fortnight I think it’s got worse. I can now feel the bulge all the time from late-afternoon onwards and it’s noticeable on self-examination. There seems to be two bulges. The lower one is right at the edge of the vagina now but not hanging out.

What do I do? Just put up with it? I’ve heard pelvic floor exercises can’t fix it, just stop it getting worse (how much worse? Actually dangling down???) but also that surgery is a very big deal, painful recovery and not successful long-term.

What is everyone doing about this? I’ve never heard a single friend mention this, nobody talks about it and yet, according to the medical professionals I’ve spoke to - it’s very common.

Any advice?? Sorry. Not really Aibu but you’re a chatty lot on here so I thought someone might be up for discussing it!

That video with Dr Agnew is the best thing I’ve seen on prolapse. I’ve spent so long trying to figure out what I have and those pictures he uses are so helpful. Thanks for posting that’s

Not that’s, just that.

Thanks for posting that.

There are lots of great Facebook support groups and information sharing groups on Facebook. The two main ones I go on are FPOPS UK (Female pelvic organ prolapse support for UK) and APOPS (Association for pelvic organ prolapse support). They are private groups, but they really are a useful place to get up to date information and to share what helps. Good luck x

APOPS (Association for pelvic organ prolapse support)

This is an American site (predominantly) and I find it pretty depressing. A lot of the posts I have read are concerning surgery breaking down, or women unable to access medical care due to their insurance not covering them in the US. I’m not saying there isn’t helpful stuff there, but proceed with caution. I think women who are doing better tend to not log into the page anymore, so the news feed is obviously skewed towards the most negative stories.

That is a very good video from Dr Gerry Agnew.

I'm a prolapse success story. I was totally urinary incontinent and had the much maligned TVT mesh sling inserted to support the urethra / bladder. That cured my urinary incontinence and is still working perfectly 9 years later.

That did not solve all my problems though because I also had chronic constipation and literally could not pass a bowel movement. I had a (totally unnecessary) hysterectomy which made no difference.

I was eventually diagnosed with an internal rectal prolapse (also called intussecption sp? ) by a pelvic floor specialist colorectal surgeon. I had surgery called a Laparoscopic Ventral Rectopexy which worked for me and is still fine 6 years later.

Because mesh was used, and there has been a lot in the press about the problems mesh can cause, I think they are very cautious about using mesh now, where before it was touted as a quick and simple cure. For me it was surgically necessary and I feel extremely lucky to have had no problems with the mesh. Touch wood.

I also think I have (undiagnosed) hypermobility / mild EDS if there is a scale of EDS. (My son also has problems and stretchy skin. My other son had an odd spinal fluid leak due to weak connective tissue. I had an incisional hernia with the hysterectomy).

Pelvic floor exercises can really help and turn things around. I don't agree that they can't improve things. I tried everything (electronic Kegel insert thingy that pulses), also the plastic sprung Kegel exercisers you squeeze). They are worth trying, and the electronic one really helped urge incontinence which was a stage I went through.

Also do not let yourself become at all constipated as that makes urinary incontinence much worse. Inulin and linseeds added to your diet will help in that department.

So don't despair, OP. I'm fine now, my life was transformed by surgery but things can be dramatically improved or kept at bay by diet and targeted, committed exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor.

They used to offer TVT surgery at the drop of a hat for 'bladder weakness' but I think unless you are totally incontinent then try everything else first. Surgery needs to be a last resort. Good luck.

Hi I have a prolapsed uterus and would love more children I already have a 7 year old would it be hard for me to get pregnant? Would love to hear from anyone who has been through the same thing

@Runningonempty84

I had a pretty bad rectocele after DD2's birth. Had surgery when she was 10 months old and the recovery was pretty rough. However, I now run marathons, lift weights, go climbing and cycling with the kids... life is back to normal and I'm SO glad I had the surgery when I did. I'm a serious runner and, after recovering from surgery, I've had no further issues. Don't just put up with it, OP. You're young, and have decades more of your life to live.

This is refreshing to hear! Had you just the rectocele? I’ve both 😞 possible surgery ahead

@humblebumblebees

That is a very good video from Dr Gerry Agnew.

I'm a prolapse success story. I was totally urinary incontinent and had the much maligned TVT mesh sling inserted to support the urethra / bladder. That cured my urinary incontinence and is still working perfectly 9 years later.

That did not solve all my problems though because I also had chronic constipation and literally could not pass a bowel movement. I had a (totally unnecessary) hysterectomy which made no difference.

I was eventually diagnosed with an internal rectal prolapse (also called intussecption sp? ) by a pelvic floor specialist colorectal surgeon. I had surgery called a Laparoscopic Ventral Rectopexy which worked for me and is still fine 6 years later.

Because mesh was used, and there has been a lot in the press about the problems mesh can cause, I think they are very cautious about using mesh now, where before it was touted as a quick and simple cure. For me it was surgically necessary and I feel extremely lucky to have had no problems with the mesh. Touch wood.

I also think I have (undiagnosed) hypermobility / mild EDS if there is a scale of EDS. (My son also has problems and stretchy skin. My other son had an odd spinal fluid leak due to weak connective tissue. I had an incisional hernia with the hysterectomy).

Pelvic floor exercises can really help and turn things around. I don't agree that they can't improve things. I tried everything (electronic Kegel insert thingy that pulses), also the plastic sprung Kegel exercisers you squeeze). They are worth trying, and the electronic one really helped urge incontinence which was a stage I went through.

Also do not let yourself become at all constipated as that makes urinary incontinence much worse. Inulin and linseeds added to your diet will help in that department.

So don't despair, OP. I'm fine now, my life was transformed by surgery but things can be dramatically improved or kept at bay by diet and targeted, committed exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor.

They used to offer TVT surgery at the drop of a hat for 'bladder weakness' but I think unless you are totally incontinent then try everything else first. Surgery needs to be a last resort. Good luck.

Your post is so refreshing to hear! I’m basically where you were! Thought I’ve two prolapses back and front, but my rectal is really ruining every aspect of my life at the minute!!

Hello, I've had surgery and just wanted to add my experience as it wasn't that bad. There are different types or surgery and the success rate varies depending what type of prolapse/what surgery. I had a surgery which at the time was fairly new. They basically hoiked up my cervix and attached it with mesh to keep it in place. I also had a back wall repair.

I'm not sure whether the approach has changed due to concerns about mesh, but I was told the risk was very low for my operation and it is the transvaginal use of mesh which can cause problems.

I was also told it should last for life, although other aspects of my prolapse could get worse (ie the back wall). The recovery time was a pain but I timed it to coincide with school summer holidays. My DH took two weeks off and then my mum popped in and helped and it was ok.

I'm glad I had it done, it hasn't completely solved my problems but it's much better and I don't feel unable to do certain activities any more.

@HotPenguin

Hello, I've had surgery and just wanted to add my experience as it wasn't that bad. There are different types or surgery and the success rate varies depending what type of prolapse/what surgery. I had a surgery which at the time was fairly new. They basically hoiked up my cervix and attached it with mesh to keep it in place. I also had a back wall repair.

I'm not sure whether the approach has changed due to concerns about mesh, but I was told the risk was very low for my operation and it is the transvaginal use of mesh which can cause problems.

I was also told it should last for life, although other aspects of my prolapse could get worse (ie the back wall). The recovery time was a pain but I timed it to coincide with school summer holidays. My DH took two weeks off and then my mum popped in and helped and it was ok.

I'm glad I had it done, it hasn't completely solved my problems but it's much better and I don't feel unable to do certain activities any more.

Thanks so much for ur reply. I had started a thread last week but still looking at other threads for advice. So which prolapse did u have exactly? I’ve both. Seen private physio and now waiting to see another specialist in April. Just very anxious about it all. The rectal prolapse is the worse.... it literally is a pain in the ass but stories like urs reassure me all can be ok.

I had a severe rectocele after 4th baby, consultant said I had a 'very big descent ".
I'd trained my pelvic floor a lot after the birth, using Kegels and then weights.
He said it was only that keeping my continence. I had a complete repair when DC4 was 2. I can't remember it being awful, or particularly painful.
It worked really well and everything flue wise still is good 13 years later. I felt like I'd been restored.

I had surgery 20 years ago for my prolapse. It was excellent and has lasted. I would recommend Richard Sheridan Gynaecologist in Hertfordshire. He is brilliant.