Exercising (running) with a prolapse

[ProLapsedExerciser]

So, I have a stage 2 prolapse and rectocele. I need to take up running, jumping and weights to recover from surgery. I've had 9 sessions with a women's health physio and have been given a cube pessary to use whilst exercising.

If I'm honest, I'm more than a little worried about the whole thing. Does anyone else do this kind of exercise with a prolapse? Has it made it worse? Am I likely to have continence issues running etc? My recovery from knee surgery has already been messed up due to Covid and not being able to get to the physio etc.

When my husband had knee surgery following an accident, he used a rebounder (mini trampoline) , which allowed him to give a increasing and controlled pressure on the knee.
Some models have an handle bar which allows you to control movement. A rebounder is more than just a trampoline reduced in size. The movement you do on it, pushing with your feet, going up and down without feet leaving the mat, or the very low jumps, makes it quite safe for both prolapse and knee.
I would think that running and normal jumps are to be avoided as long as your prolapse issues have not been 100% resolved.

Have a look at the Haley Shevener programmes- Pop up and Pop up lift. They are prolapse specific return to impact exercise peogrammes. She also has a Facebook group, Pop fitness, which is really supportive and full of ladies who have got themselves back running, lifting weights etc after prolapse.

I'm currrently doing the Restore your Core programme with Lauren ohayon with a target of starting running next year, but it sounds like you would be beyond this and get there quicker.

Hope that helps

Oh, I'd forgotten about the mini trampoline. I did go on one of them and immediately said "Nope!" And got off. I've since had pelvic floor physio but no more knee physio. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing, I wasn't given a plan nor discharged but because it's so long since my last appointment I can't have any more
I don't think my prolapse issues will be resolved without a hysterectomy but I'm not sure I want to go there yet as I'm sure it will just cause other problems.

I would recommend going back to a woman's health physio. A private one if you can find one / afford it to get it done ASAP.

You need someone to give you a bit of a refresher and to make you an exercise programme.

Generally the recommendations I have received for conservative management (ie if you're not ready for surgery) are to avoid high impact activities (ie running / jumping) and core work that increases intra-abdominal pressure (ie crunches / planks / floor work where you lift your head.) As these place a high load on a weak pelvic floor. That's not to say you can never do these things again, but you need to work up to them with support.

I've done a lot of work (3 yrs post partum now) and I do plank, lift weights, squat etc. I do my core work safely through Pilates, having learnt how to breathe with work effort etc. And I have various different methods for cardio. But not running or jumping yet.

Definitely go back and see someone.

@ProLapsedExerciser you don’t have to jump on a min trampoline, you bounce which will give enough pressure on the knee.
But I agree, you need a plan. A private physio With an interest in woman’s health so she can address both issues

Unbelievable but after a long discussion with the secretary, it turns out that whilst I'm not eligible for any more physio they never gave me an official induction to using the fitness equipment for my prescribed training hours. And the physio who knows about pelvic floor stuff has a cancellation for Thursday Compiling all the questions to ask. I was told that my pelvic floor Itself seems reasonably ok, so it seems it's the rest of the tissue that holds everything in place is damaged.

I had a grade 3 rectocele and ran with it while waiting for surgery. Nothing major in terms of distance, but I raced a couple of half marathons during that time. It didn't make the rectocele worse but I can't say it improved it either.

Now, post surgery, I run a lot and, thankfully, have no problems