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.

[PhoebeBear]

I had my son 4 weeks ago and I have a prolapse. Doctor was friggen usless and says it looks like it's either 1st or 2nd degree and didn't say why type of prolapse. It hurts more now after the exam has been done. I'm in agony to be honest and now lower back pain and abdomen pain has started. What can I do? Any help please

[AniseedBall]

I'm sorry to read this. You need to get a second opinion so you know what you are dealing with and ask for a referral to a women's physio and urogynaecologist (they specialise in vaginal prolapses). I hope things settle down for you over the next few weeks / months.

[PhoebeBear]

Hi all I just need a little advice. I'm exactly 1 month PP and today I got my period, the past 4 days my prolapse has been very painful. Has anyone realised their symptoms of uterine prolapse get worse before your period? I'm hoping after I'm done bleeding it won't be as sore as right now I cannot stand up without the pain becoming very strong 😔😣

[PhoebeBear]

Bump?
I'm not 14 weeks pp and although my prolapse did seem to get better, it's came back 😔 I'm so so upset! No nurses are doctors have been able to help me out and I feel so alone in this situation. I cannot pick up and hold baby anymore as the pain it causes. 😣😣😣😣

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

Glad I found you. Going to read up.

Prolapse Penny, here.

[ApplePenPineapplePen]

I think I may be joining you ladies here. I felt something odd yesterday, soft swishy lump that I had to push back up towards the rear of my vulva. It is still not right today and so I will try and see GP tomorrow. It is as though my perineum has opened up. My youngest DC is 8! Feeling really stressed and revolted by it.

[ravensoaponarope]

Went to doctor today, have rectocele. As poster above, am feeling revolted and freaked out

[ApplePenPineapplePen]

Update: I saw GP Friday morning and she was truly lovely, took me seriously and gave me a referral to consultant gynae. She said if it happens again I need to go to A&E. The GP was visibly relieved when I said I had private medical care through work because I think she thought the NHS waiting time would be rather long. I see the consultant tomorrow evening. I must say everything is feeling a lot better but on Thursday I would have described it as how tender I was 3-4 weeks post-birth. On the plus sude the GP thought that my pelvic floor was in pretty good shape.