This is thread 3 of a long-running series of posts from ladies suffering from pelvic prolapses to support each other through the process of diagnosis, repair and recovery.
Here are the previous threads:
Thread 1
Thread 2
Info from BBC Health
What is a pelvic prolapse?
As the muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues in the pelvis become weaker, they are less able to hold in the organs of the pelvis such as the womb (uterus) or bladder.
Gravity pulls these organs down and, in the more severe cases, may appear through the entrance to the vagina.
A variety of problems can occur, depending on where the weakness lies and which organs are able to descend, but in every case there is some degree of prolapse of the vaginal wall, which begins to invert (rather like a sock turning inside out).
Prolapse of the womb or uterus is the most common prolapse, affecting as many as one in eight older women to some degree
Prolapse of the bladder, known as a cystocele, is less common.
Prolapse of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) is known as a urethrocele.
Prolapse of the intestines is quite rare, and known as an enterocele or rectocele.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on which tissues descend, and how severe the prolapse is.
They may include:
A sense of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.
The appearance of a bulge of tissue in the genital area, which can be quite alarming, and is often red and sore.
Urinary problems, such as having to urinate more frequently, feeling the need urgently, being incontinent (losing control of the bladder) or, conversely, being unable to pass urine when you need to.
Pain in the pelvis or lower back.
Sexual problems, including pain and decreased libido.
Constipation.
Vaginal discharge or bleeding.
Treatment and recovery
Once a prolapse has developed, surgery to fix the affected organs is usually the only way to cure it effectively.
However, another option is to use a device known as a vaginal ring pessary. This is rather like a contraceptive diaphragm or cervical cap. It's made of silicone or latex, and placed in the vagina to push back the prolapsed organs and hold them in place. Many women happily manage their prolapse this way.
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General health
Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc part 4
Ben10NeverAgain · 06/04/2012 19:43
Hi sackandcrack just wanted to acknowledge you 
I'm in the same position as you (have posted after yours). I'm sure the ladies will screech along with wise words soon! Till then we'll take it in turns to bump
Hello all
Some advice please! Been having trouble leaking urine for about the past year. It's got worse and ranges from everyday leakage to completely wetting myself lately on a night out 
Saw GP today and got an immediate referral to gynae as she felt my uretha had prolapsed. Said she could see it "popping out" when I coughed. I think she said it was the uretha (well, the word was definitely mentioned but I can't remember if she said bladder prolapse as well??) but I was a bit taken aback as I was expecting to be told it was age/traumatic birth related and just to do PFE (which I do but makes no difference) and wear tena for the rest of my days.
She said it would probably be an operation so here's where I could do with some advice. I'm currently the only bread winner (long story) and don't get sick pay 
What does the op involve? An overnight stay? What recovery time etc?
Any help gratefully received
Is anyone from this thread still about?
I have previously posted about my post-birth pains and have a few questions I wouldn't mind asking someone who has had problems with a rectocele before.
I am 5.5 months post-birth and been back and forward to GP since giving birth with ongoing pain. I can't pass bowels (sorry for TMI) without being in absolute agony. I was given so many numbing creams/gels, pain relief, laxatives but nothing helped to ease the pain.
After seeing my GP again last week, she thinks I have scar tissue internally from the perineum to sphincter (I had an episiotomy and forceps delivery and a medical student helped stitch me up - that's a completely different story!). She felt a hard lump which is causing me most of the pain. I also have symptoms of a rectocele prolapse. The pain is so bad when I need to pass my bowels and just before, that I was crawling up the stairs to go to the toilet yesterday 
I am finaaaaally seeing a gynaecologist on Monday (I feel like I am 5 and Christmas is coming!). My questions are:
If the gynaecologist offers physio as the first route to go down, can I refuse? Surgery is obviously risky and not everyone's first choice but I just want to be fixed. I am 27 and it's has really impacted the experience I have had with my first daughter, my relationship, when I will be able to go back to work, how I feel about myself and my body etc. I should have been offered physio months ago and the thought of just prolonging things a few months is depressing me.
If you did have an op to remove scar tissue/correct rectocele, how was recovery and how long was it until you felt more like your old self, if at all?
Finally, did they do any tests/scans at your consultation? My GP said they may do a test to check my pressure points as I have lost the sensation of needing to go and may also be referred to a bowel surgeon
Any advice would be greatful
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