Hysterectomy due to prolapse

[GloGirl]

I've just been told today I have a POP, (Doc showed me on a diagram how bad it is, I think looking at the option he put in it was a Grade 2 prolapse).

As I had my son 6 months ago he said I have to wait till 9 months to truly assess how everything is down below so I have to go back in a couple of months. He mentioned pessary options (no thanks) and I will have physiotherapy in the meantime. Aside from awkward sex and tampons I am doing quite well with the complications so I am not feeling any rush.

Although I did wonder what the likelihood is of the prolapse getting significantly worse if I continue to have good general health (and no pregnancy.) I guess if I carried on just as I am for another year or two would I stay the same (ish?) - or if I had a severe cough, or bad bout of constipation is it something I could make much worse?

He said that I really have two options, a sling or a hysterectomy during which they can leave my ovaries. I googled it and it seems you can have a partial prolapse where they leave in your cervix or a total one where they remove it? Obviously by the name one sounds worse than the other but I don't know which one I need or whether recovery wise whether one is better than the other.

I have 2 young children I am quite worried about taking care of them when recovering. I really could do with having more of an idea about what I am letting myself in for before my appointment in a couple of months so I know what to talk about and ask etc.

Thanks for any advice or chatter. I have found a few previous prolapse/hysterectomy threads but nothing recent so I am away now to have a read.

[GloGirl]

He said exactly the same as pink frocks, 2-3 years early.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Did they discuss how much earlier you're likely to have the menopause? I got told that if they left my ovaries in Id still be likely to have the menopause within 5 years of surgery. He was trying to put me off a hysterectomy so may have been talking bollocks though.

[GloGirl]

Doc did mention I could have a sling. But I have stopped having babies for definite and I hate having periods so it is a great option for me. Just scary.

I have a toddler and a baby and am a SAHM. Lifting is inevitable and my baby is absolutely massive, weighs almost as much as his big brother.

My husband often works from home so I do get him to do as much as possible, have done for a while as my back is buggered - I now realise this is probably prolapse related! Would it also cause my crotch/hips to hurt? I have had one session with a 'standard' physio before I saw the gynaecologist, I have another session next week so I will be able to update her and tailor some core strengthening exercises which we were already working on.

[pinkfrocks]

you do have the option though of a repair- it doesn't have to be a hysterectomy- depends maybe on how much improvement you could get with it. You really won't be able to pick up your baby whichever op you have! Also to stop it getting worse you ought not to be lifting anyway even now- I was told no lifting over 14lbs for life after the op and I draw the line much lower than that.

[GloGirl]

Neeko - I've been referred to the pelvic physio. He said it wasn't likely to fix anything for me but it would help improve sensation and I will need to have a good pelvic floor to aid recovery after the op.

I'm looking forward to my sessions although I do find pelvic exercises uncomfortable! (who doesn't!)

[GloGirl]

Thanks for your reply. Talking it over with my DH after posting and trying to find a similar image that he showed us he said I was between a 2 and a 3. I think I am just at the cusp of having it all hanging into my knickers but not quite! Fortunately.

Glad to know about whether it can be made worse, just gives me an idea of when I should do the surgery. My DS2 is 6 months now, would be helpful to wait until he was 2 or 3 due to lifting but it sounds like I shouldn't leave it that long.

6 week ish recovery sounds good and something to work towards.

I might go and find a hysterectomy forum thank you, feeling like it is quite an unusual thing to go through and have been having a range of emotions.

Reminds me of when I was made redundant from a job I didn't like - not really bad news but still unsettling.

• I think I might have had stage 1 after my first son although he never specified POP he did say mild cystocele, moderate rectocele and cervical descent so I am guessing now that was stage 1? As I wanted another baby and was happily managing with the mild problems he just told me to go ahead and fix it the next baby!

[Neeko]

Watching this with interest. From what I've read physio can help a lot and prevent things from worsening. Have also read that things might not settle down properly until a year after birth. Maybe have a look at a kegel machine for home use to support what you do with the physio? (check with the physio first though).
I'd definitely do lots of research before going for an op. Good luck.

[Neeko]

Watching this with interest. From what I've read physio can help a lot and prevent things from worsening. Have also read that things might not settle down properly until a year after birth. Maybe have a look at a kegel machine for home use to support what you do with the physio? (check with the physio first though).
I'd definitely do lots of research before going for an op. Good luck.

[pinkfrocks]

Maybe some forums on hysterectomy would help?
sorry to hear about this choice. I had a repair for Grade 1 25 years ago. I had my uterus hitched up and a cystocele sorted. I was told there was no rush (but as it was covered by insurance I knew that once I'd decided, I would be seen within a couple of weeks.) You might want to check out the actual waiting times for the op if you do decide to go ahead. (mine has held ok but some slight deterioration with time.)
As far as I know, Grade 2 means the uterus is almost completely in the vagina and Grade 3 is starting to appear outside. How will you cope with sex with it as it is?

I really recommend the website of Michelle Kenway an Oz physio whose site has a huge amount of info on this and what to do / not to do to stop it getting worse.

It may get worse if you have a chronic cough. You also have to stop lifting heavy things and doing anything that puts a strain on the pelvic floor.

If you have a hysterectomy,you may well have a good result. You need to ask about vault prolapse as this can occur when the uterus no longer provides support. Some drs think that the cervix enhances sexual satisfaction (orgasm) so think about that and do some research.

You can also have an earlier menopause with a hysterectomy, even leaving ovaries in, but think it's about 2-3 years only.

You will need help at home- no lifting anything heavier than a kettle- for 6 weeks for both repair and hysterectomy.

[GloGirl]

Been a few days now I'm just giving this a hopeful bump