Running with a prolapse

[Pooshy]

I've recently taken up running which I'm loving as it's easy to fit in when you've got kids

However following two kids (now 4 and 1.5 years old) I got a prolapse which fixed itself a few months after My second child

Now I'm running however, I can feel it's coming back a bit, especially at certain times during my cycle

I'm doing pelvic floor exercises but they don't really seem to be doing much

Does anyone have any tips or experience of how to deal with this? Should I consider giving up running as it's putting such a strain on my insides

see a physio?

Running is a very high impact activity, which places incredible stress on the pelvic floor and core. I'm on a high impact ban for the foreseeable future while I complete physio and build mine back up. I probably won't run ever again, as it's all about "conservative management" for me.

Stop running. Go and see a woman's health physio, and get yourself assessed and some advice about appropriate exercise.

Ahhh I could have written this post myself OP!! My prolapse appeared a few weeks after the birth of my second child (forceps delivery of an enormous child).

Three years on I’m really, really shocked to say that it’s almost resolved. I’m aware of it during my cycle at some point but it’s by no means an issue. I also ran soon after birth and it definitely made me more aware of it too. I got the most conflicting messages from consultants - most told me to carry on. A Women’s Physio told me to absolutely stop, and so I did.

I took up running again about 8 months ago (3 years pp) and sorry to say but the same nasty sensation came back. So again I stopped.

I’ve since joined a gym and am doing bike/spin classes (they are murderous and I get that Runner’s high from it) and I absolutely love it. I’m now about to get a bike and take up cycling. It’s my alternative to running.

That all said, my PT at the gym understands prolapse and says that he can get me stable enough to run again. My workouts are all about my side torso muscles and really careful machine with pelvic lifts incorporated. It might work.

Another consultant recently told me to run if I felt like it. It was a check up for the prolapse - he actually discharged me out of his care saying I’ve continied to improve. It’s all so confusing but I would trust a women’s physio over anybody. They really know and I my opinion it’s just not worth risking making it worse - I was devastated with my diagnosis and I can’t believe I was one of the lucky few that improved.

There are pelvic floor exercises and then there are the really good PF exercises. My physio would rate my squeeze on a scale of 1 to 5. Yes she had her fingers up there for me to squeeze. I stopped being embarrassed and really really worked those muscles to maximise improvement and to avoid surgery.

She also said I was “one white goods lift” away from a prolapse requiring surgery and I’ve taken that seriously since. She outlawed rowing machines and similar mechanisms that put a direct downward push into my pelvic space.

Not sure if that helps OP! I know I’ll try running again in a few months... never say never

Just resting that is a very interesting post!

Confusing tho isn't it, as the advice can be quite conflicting

Terrifying thought to be one white goods lift away!

The first time I got my prolapse I was running to buy a Xmas tree 5 days post birth- what was I thinking !?

Ah I know I can imagine! Sorry for my rambling post! I would say get to a good physio and get some feedback. Get yourself as strong as you can and then see what happens.

My PT at the gym was talking about Evie I think it’s called?? I haven’t got one but might be if interest to you? Let me get a link...

www.elvie.com/shop/elvie-trainer

I haven't had a prolapse but my pelvic floor is rubbish. I don't often remember to do my exercises. I've been going to Pilates and its already made a difference after 6 weeks. If you can't make a class there are some on YouTube. I'll see if I can get you a link.