Any old prolapse! Uterus/womb prolapse, rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethrocele, incontinence, pelvic floor, anterior and posterior repair, TVT etc part 4

[Ben10NeverAgain]

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.

[happy2beme]

Tink - I had that pink thing lol looks like a wrinkly pork sausage inside your bits and I had cystocele repair but at consultation pre-op was told only doing rectocele and woke up from anaesthetic with both done so I would check again with gyn man. Similar to you I could see things worsening when I beared down xx
I was in hospital with a lady who had no probs until she took her garden wheely bin out and felt something go pop ... It was her womb she ended up getting hysterectomy, so yeh it can happen very suddenly. She was told a combination of weak pelvic floor and menopause xx

[happy2beme]

Littlefish- I am sure everyone on here who has had the op done will tell you that their anxiety levels were also through the roof. I cancelled my op due to this and eventually felt it was now or never. Post -op was not much better tbh (had a few issues). It was not until I got more active and the pain eased that I felt I had made the right decision. I was anxious about theatre as I was getting done in the hospital I worked in and as I have been there for 20yrs I knew there was bound to be somebody who I knew on a personal level.....yep and there was . So some nerves is natural and you can always come on here and sound of now and then this defo helps xxx
Fengirl- really made me chuckle with the "whole" hugs thing xx :)

[wouldratherbeskiing]

Littlefish - it's such a lot to take in isn't it? I can remember being completely overwhelmed at stages on the run-up to the op. Our horrible symptoms wear us down and certainly for me I felt I crawled to the 'operation finishing line' physically and mentally exhausted. I think it is also difficult not knowing exactly what might be done. In your case you mention a possible cystocele repair. My experience was that all went better than I imagined and the same can be said of a friend of mine who was operated on recently. Everybody I know personally who has had these types of operations are good now even if they did need further repairs. Of course, all this was secret until I've come out about mine!!!! It may be a bit painful but this will be controlled and in my experience not a jot compared to childbirth. You will get through this and one day this will be a distant memory. xx

[fengirl1]

Wouldrather - its May 3rd (if not cancelled as my mum helpfully said last night.)
Littlefish - I'm nervous already and doing lots of worrying about how I'll manage after so you're not alone.

[Ben10NeverAgain]

I have to say that although I had pain it wasn't that bad compared to other ops I've had. The fact that you are forced to rest helps of course. 2 weeks tomorrow and I haven't taken any pain relief for almost a week that wasn't for my sore back. I've had a thought and think my sore back is just a symptom of too much sitting around.

Not long to go Fen and Littlefish and then it will be out of the way (((8))) Sorry, couldn't help it!

[NAR4]

I have a bubble like lump at the back of my vagina and most of the time feel like I need a poo. I thought it might be a prolapse and went to see gp for gyne referral. Gp wanted to look and said it is fine. Not sure what to do now as I am sure it is not.

[NAR4]

Forgot to say that it is the back wall of my vagina that has incurred most of the damage during child birth as my baby was born facing the wrong way.

[Ben10NeverAgain]

Footle, I have it so I don't see pages, it just scrolls down IYSWIM. It doesn't cause an extra post each time you see it at the top of the page as far as I know.

Nar4 See what the gynae says. TBH it sounds like it might be one from what you describe. How long do you have to wait for your gynae appt?

[mrsm22]

Hi All, I haven't managed to go on since Friday and don't imagine that many of you will be on today with it being Easter Sunday so this is just a quick message to you all to say I too have found the new link...Thanks for that. And of course Happy Easter! X My DH bought me a giant Easter egg, and it is my DS's first Easter so he has been bought a lovely Easter bunny for his cot and other things (obviously no choc til next year). My bladder hasn't felt great yesterday or this morning. Just as soon as i've been i still feel as though my bladder is full, yet i do hold it for two hours (which is the longest i can hold for). Bloody pain in the neck it is.. I was looking at the calendar in the kitchen and something occurred to me, which is why i've popped on here as i wondered what you all thought....? I know this probably is a silly thought and is probably not relevant but i was looking back on the calendar trying to work out exactly when this bladder isue began and it dawned on me...I was absolutely fine, no bladder or wee problems at all...then I went back on the pill on Wednesday 22nd Feb (took a pill on the Weds and everything was fine), took 2nd pill on Thursday and then suddenly as if out of nowhere i woke up Friday 24th Feb with this constant feeling of needing to wee all the time! Hence why i thought i had started with a water infection (which obviously it is not). And ever since, the problem has got no worse but is getting no better. I am sure there is no relevance but me and DH can't help but feel it is a bit of a coincidence that i was fine until i went back on the pill. As soon as i started taking the pill, i have started with this problem. I can't help but wonder if because i was only 7 weeks after giving birth that my hormones were still all over and obviously they do take a long time to go back, so surely taking the pill...is putting more hormones into your body and as someone said on here about hormones playing a big part...might they be irritating my bladder and causing me to feel the need to wee all the time???? It would be so wonderful if it did turn out to just be the pill as obviously could easily be solved by coming of f it. I'm due to see the consultant a week on weds so am going to put it to her, but if any of you have any thoughts on this please do share. The pill i'm taking is Logynon, which has different amounts of hormones in each pill too.... Right, i have written one of my essays, must get back to my little baby boy. I wish you all a happy easter sunday and hope you're all feeling well. xxx

[NAR4]

Ben10,
my gp won't refer me as she didn't feel there was a problem when she checked, so considers there no need, even when I said I wanted to be referred for a private consulatation. Just going to wait a while and make an appointment to see a differrent dr I think and try for a referral again. I know I had a 2nd degree tear which also went through muscle down there and the midwife thought it would be a good idea not to sew as long as I did all my pelvic floor exercises (which I did).

[kickmewhenimdown]

hello everyone.

Forewarning - this may contain TMI for some.

I think I may have a prolapse of some sort but docs aint opened till Tuesday so thought I would consult some views here. DS2 in 16 months. Have had a recurring UTI for a few months now. Havent went to gp about this, just drank loads and they went away after a day or two. Also having some bowel problems in that am either feeling constipated, and having to really strain. This last few days im still straining so to speak but have a runny stools. This morning i was wiping after going to loo and felt what i can only describe as a soft protuding lumpy thing at the entrance to my vagine. Got dp to have a feel and he thought it was my cervix but surely not? Is this sounding like a prolapse. I also have split tummy muscles from pregnancy, it was 6 fingers wide but have it down to about 1.5 fingers now and wondered if this could be related?

[jackie62]

Hi everyone, happy Easter!
Am I going mad or did I really post this morning??! I am absolutely sure I posted and replied to Tazzle and Ben10 and it's gone! I saw it there as well, did anyone else see it or have I posted on a completely inappropriate site...how embarrassing xxx

[surewoman]

Hi all - well done Ben10 for continuing this .

Snowy - try using a tampax even though you don't have a period as it really helps with the dragging feeling (I've heard it is possible to use two at the same time for extra support but haven't tried that myself though).

Tink - when you next go to see someone, make them have a look while you are standing up and pushing as that is how they can see a prolapse best. I made my consultant go on his hands and knees and peer up into my fanjo !!!! Lol!!! But he did then agree with me about my bulges!

Love to all x

[Ben10NeverAgain]

kick There is no such thing as TMI on this thread!

It could be a prolapse of some sort. My cervix was definitely much lower when I had my prolapses as I don't think I'd actually ever felt it before!

Sometimes what can happen with constipation is that you become impacted so still constipated but soft stool can leak around it. Can you see anything with a mirror - try and see what happens if you bear down or cough.

Jackie I didn't see your post. Hope you haven't posted somewhere inappropriate!

Nar4 I'd go back and see someone else if you are still concerned or a private gynae appt is around £120-150 round here. I also had a second degree tear but the gynae said that he sees some ladies who have had terrible tearing and no prolapse and some who have not even had babies with one. Who knows?!

Well done Footle :)

[tazzle]

littlefish ... despite being really eager to have my op done I was still nervous about it [buwink] especially once I had run out of all distractions [bugrin]. We would not not be human if we would not think about the what ifs.... its what keeps us from making rash decisions !!!


welcome NR4 . If symptoms are sufficient to be bothering you then a second opinion will do no harm and either rassure you this does not need treatment , alert you to maybe doing exercises to prevent further deterioration ..... or get you the treatment you need.

I cant find anything on any of the sites I have looked at mrsm22 to even hint that the pill you mentions might impact on the bladder... maybe its just coincidence. Hope you enjoyed your easter egg !



welcome kick ..... agree, never TMI here, its the one place we really can say everything !

Certainly get yourself to gp re the lump and the constipation...,.faeces can get stuck in the slack bit and may need to be "helped out" by pressing the back wall of the vagina ... something many of us have had to do.

It will really help if you do have a prolapse to be even more vigilant than those without one about keeping stools soft , not getting constipated. All the usual stuff like fibre , veg, orange /prune juice..... and most of all plenty water etc........


Have had first post op glass( or two) wine ....... brill [bugrin]

[singingsoprano]

Hi, I'm new to this section. I had a vaginal hysterectomy and bladder and bowel repair just over 6 years ago. I continued to have problems with both bladder and bowels, including extensiven testing and urodynamics. I now have botox every 8 months in my bladder, which is fantastic.
However, I am having real trouble with my bowels. I had a colonoscopy last year which said I have (TMI) very poor anal tone. I am incontinent of bowels at least monthly, as I can't hold and wait to find a loo. My female GP keeps telling me it's IBS and to wait and see.
I don't have the symptons of IBS, and I believe I need to be referred on. It's particularly an issue when I walk for any distance, as gravity seems to make things worse.
I am 50 , a teacher and feeling completely desperate. Any ideas I can take back to my GP?
Thank you.:(

[tazzle]

welcome singing [bugrin] .......hope you have had a good easter.

sorry to hear you are still having problems after all the ops and investigations.

It does puzzle me that your gp blames the incontinence on IBS and not the diagnosed poor anal tone ( did no one give you any advice or treatment re that ?). I agree IBS could add to the problem of course ( I do get it a little myself) but since you dont have any other signs of it not sure on gps thinking... I think they have to have three bowel symptoms and rule out serious causes before making the diagnosis.

oh btw you have to get much more graphic than "poor anal tone" to qualify as TMI


I can't think of anything else to take back to your gp atm if she is not taking notice of your diagnosed issue other than to ask for rererral back to the hospital where you were diagnosed.........

you will find support here though ......

[singingsoprano]

tazzle thank you! The GP suggested exercises, but there is so little tone that I don't think it's worth it, having had 6 months of physio re bladder! I also have piles, and despite using cream, they've got worse recently. I have been bleeding every time I've gone to the loo over the last 4 days.
I am fed up because my urinary incontinence is now manageable after 6 years via Botox, but my bowel issues are largely being ignored.
I am going to make an appt. to see my own male GP, to see if I can be referred to the hospital treating me for urinary incontinence, as I can't go on like this. I have had too many 'accidents' and am now wearing inco pads, as I have no control over my bowels.
I'm sure all these problems stem from childbirth (3 children), as my first birth was highly traumatic , 24 hours in labour, induced, ds got stuck, was born with hands behind his head, cord round his neck and they had to cut me to get him out, and in doing so they also cut and had to stitch my cervix. He is now 25!
I also had endometriitis, ovarian cysts and numerous D & Cs over the years.
I am now totally fed up, so any support is welcomed. Thank you.

[fapl]

ABitSnowyOutside, I have been googling furiously since I self diagnosed some sort or prolapse (not 100% sure what is falling down, but definitely think a rectocele), and I came across this blog, I am not sure how you order these pants, but is this the type of thing you were possibly thinking of when you said something to hold everything in?

femfusionfitness.com/2012/02/a-jock-strap-for-the-ladies/

[fapl]

Mrsm22 the hormones in the pill may have something to do with it, I was browsing prolapsehealth.com forums and read this a thread you might find interesting, although it probably won't give you any answers...

prolapsehealth.com/forums/topic.php?id=696

I hope the link sends you to the right place. It seems these women anecdotally think it might be the progesterone in the pill that relaxes things so it could exacerbate any prolapse. Anyway, it seems you are not the only one that has linked worse symptoms with taking the pill.

Also, any new women to this thread (I am new myself), I am sure all the old people here know this, DON'T STRAIN ON THE TOILET. It is really bad for your pelvic floor. Drink litres of prune juice if you have to, just try not to strain. People that read my rant on thread 2 would know how upset I am that we are not told not to do this.

[kickmewhenimdown]

morning. Ok take on board about the straining and will go buy some prune juice [buenvy]