Vaginal Prolapse : am I alone?

[PrinnyViolet]

Hello

So a few days ago I felt a strange sensation down below and upon further investigation found a fleshy lump inside my vagina.
Doctor has told me it's a prolapse of my vagina wall & it's not serious.
She was so flippant about it I just left & didn't ask any questions.

Has this happened to anyone else & if it has Will it go back to normal ever???

Google is not my friend today!!!

I'm sorry to hear that ridingthegravytrainbut thanks for sharing. I hadn't considered that, it's certainly something to think about.

It's really important to think over all the options and if possible ask for a 2nd opinion, especially if you have private health cover and can shop around.

Surgeons have their own preferences but they all differ.

I had an anterior and uterine repair grade 1. I was told afterwards he'd put a small tuck in the back wall too, to give more support. (This bears out the other post here that if you only correct one wall the other may take up the strain and get worse.)

I was not offered a hysterectomy though was offered removal of my cervix. I said no because I'd heard that the cervix does produce lubrication and also can help sexual response.

I don't see why anyone needs a full hysterectomy if their uterus has not dropped because there is this risk of further prolapse if it's removed.

The other issue is that the menopause tends to happen sooner- often within a couple of years once a hysterectomy is done even if the ovaries are left. This might not be relevant but worth bearing in mind.

Some drs are very much of the 'whip it all out now dear' school but you need to be sure this is the best option for you.

I had a ring put in to lift my womb, I don't think they are called that anymore though. Vagifem for dryness.
Feet on a stool to poo, it can help if you lean back slightly and push on your perineum.

everybody is unique with unique circumstances. I am glad I've chosen to have a hysterectomy as well as a repair.

I've had this problem for almost 8 years now. It wasn't too bad but has got alot worse in the last couple of years due to another baby & now im presuming the menopause as my periods have stopped.

Surgery isn't an option for me.
I haven't been to a Dr as I really don't want to go through referals/examinations/ etc

Ultimately what happens if I don't seek medical help?

The wholewoman exercises work for me. People tend to think they're hippy dipshit but I know they work because on the days I don't do them I feel the difference.

I had a total hysterectomy at 35..13 years ago . For my various combined prolapses (4 kids in 5 years trashed my innards!)

So far so good and I don't regret it at all. I still have bowel issues... no bowel movement without suppository but I have learned to adapt to that and go with it...my bowels didn't work before the prolapses! If I have a vault prolapse I haven't noticed it yet!

Can I join?

Had prolapse 3 weeks ago (DS2 now 6w old, very quick delivery) - felt like tampon falling down - GP told me grade 3 and do pelvic floor exercises (which I was, have doubled my efforts).

Constipation is a major factor, been struggling since I was pregnant. Just started myself on movicol to see if it helps after 4 weeks of v high fibre diet/water etc just stopped working. Also due AF tomorrow (first one since birth, but had crazy ovulation pains 2 weeks ago so pretty sure). Went back to GP on Fri and got BUPA referral, so going to get an apt for gynae soon.

I can't even tell "what's what" downstairs any more and trying to feel makes me very woosy. The whole thing makes me desperately sad even though I know it's as a result of my awesome DCs who are only tiny (and therefore need a lot of carrying, not lifting not much of an option). Maybe it's too soon for surgical options but I just want a proper diagnosis and acknowledgment to be honest.

Tango I found Movicol great in helping with the bowel motions. It took 2 daily and it took a few days to have an effect. I'm now on one daily (occasionally need 2) as a maintenance dose. Good luck...

I felt the same as you - so thankful for my 2 healthy, amazing boys but so down and gutted about my damaged body. A couple of months on though and it all feels a bit easier to deal with. Did your GP refer you to a women's health physio?

Thanks for replying cait - it's just good to know I'm not alone. Glad you said Movicol takes a few days as I've taken 4 since Sat eve and nothing yet.

I'm DREADING the arrival of AF - first post birth and worried it's going to be painful and messy. ☹️

They didn't refer me to physio, just gave me a print out of PF exercises. As I have BUPA through work thought I'd jump straight to gynae consultant as sure they have physios they can refer me to if appropriate and the GP was reluctant. I've got a recommendation from a friend who works in a different area of women's health.

It's ALSO annoying because I'm feeling fat as well and ready to start exercising my post-preg wobbly bits but worried anything remotely high impact will do more harm than good. None of my clothes fit - just another gripe! (And my diet is pretty much exclusively all bran and salad so can't cut back much more!)

Thanks cait

Hi tango. I'm post-birth here too. I had a consultation with a physio at the hospital before the discharged me (not bad going as I was only in for 12 hours including the birth!) and she warned me not to be pounding the pavements with the double buggy which was essentially my weight loss plan so I'm a bit gutted.

She also said NO pilates. She said a bit of walking is ok and recommended some support shorts. I made a note of the name somewhere - I'll report back.

They're called EVB shorts. Haven't tried them yet myself mind.

I was advised several years post- repair op, never to do high impact exercise ever again.

This means- no running, Pilates (some positions put strain on the PF), no jumping (eg star jumps), no carrying or lifting anything over 14 pounds, nothing where both feet are off the floor at the same time (skipping etc).

You can find exercises that are suitable on the website of physio Michelle kenway- and she has videos there too.

I had the same advice from physio - no running, high impact exercise etc. Walking is fine and pilates can be ok but only if you can find a class run by a women's health physio. Lifting is also a no-no but with a 15kg 3 year old and a 15lb baby its just not possible although I do try to minimise carrying the (very clingy and jealous!) toddler where I can.

The physio recommended the Pelvic Floor First website (sorry can't do links) and it has quite an extensive list of safe exercises. Not that I've actually gotten round to doing any of them yet….

Michelle Kenway's website actually shows you how to adapt Pilates exercises so they are safe. It's well worth a look. She will also answer questions online if you have any queries.

The Hab-It website is also very good,.and also run by a physio...

I'll check out the websites, I really weirdly enjoyed getting back in shape doing the "30 Day Shred" after my last DC, I guess I need to adjust my expectations.

Those shorts are £45!!! I'm not sure I want to exercise that much (obviously a small price to pay if they help). Weirdly id been partly blaming some control leggings for my prolapse as I wore them the day before it happened.

Right, how long should Movicol take, I took one Sat night and 3 sachets each yesterday and today, and nothing. At what point should I try something else, I'm eating all bran for breakfast and dinner and drinking minimum 3l of water a day. i feel so down, surely it's a basic human right to be able to have a poo!? How can my body deny me this?! sob
What sort of suppositories should I be getting? I'm so embarrassed to keep going to the chemist and escalating, I know I shouldn't be because I'm a grown up, but y'know.

Tango sorry to hear you haven't had a 'result' yet from the Movicol. If things are very impacted at the 'bottom end' a suppository might help. You can use Glycerin suppositories or Microlax micro-enema (not as bad as it sounds).

btw I'm a pharmacist so believe me when I say the chemist will have seen and heard it all before and you shouldn't be in any way embarrassed

One more for your thread, thanks for starting OP.

Both front and back prolapse after difficult birth of dc3 almost 18 months ago. Find it hard to poo (how do you lot go without straining, do you just wait patiently? I try not to strain but end up straining as it gets "stuck" due to the prolapse messing up the exit way sorry tmi)
Most of the time I feel like I'm bulging downwards/outwards although I'm told it's only "mild" - try telling that to my nether regions please it feels horrendous some days.
Sex is missionary only. I can be on top sometimes briefly (sorry tmi again but this subject matter is isn't it).
It's all gotten worse since I went back to work and dc3 is only getting bigger and heavier to lift. Lately i feel like my bed smells of urine which means I'm probably leaking during the night from all the strains of the day. I'm contemplating pads. I haven't been doing my PFE as much as i was initially due to lack of time and energy. The thought of having to wear pads so young is making me renew my PFE efforts probably in vain.
I am only just 30 years old. There is not a day i don't think about this whole situation and my bladder/bowels/prolapse/clenching/lifting etc.

When i came home after a big weekly shop and manoeuvring a heavy trolley i had to try and rest as i felt the pressure down below.. daily life is hard sometimes.

Gynae appt recently and they said i didn't need surgery but could try a ring if i wanted. And that it "might not" get in the way of having sex. I could "probably learn" to take it out amd reinsert it myself.

Sigh. Life has gone downhill at the age of 29 and I'm never going to get it back. I'm grateful for my beautiful children and life is ok but this is huge. The impact is huge. My quality of life is not so great and i wish i had some support.

I saw a physio a few times who ensured I was doing the exercises properly and that was it. On your way. I want to tone up after having dc3 and lose my belly but I am actually petrified incase i make it worse. Physio advised no pilates and swimming is ok. I can't swim and don't have time to learn at the moment (see above: 3 dc and work).

I can't chase dc2 on the way to school or race on the way home.

I can't talk to my gossiping dm, my dh tries to help but I don't want to share all this with him. Hardly anyone knows and i feel so low sometimes.

Sorry long post but I need to talk to someone and get it off my chest.

Highlights- can you do internet supermarket shop so you don't have to trolley push and unload?

I had a double prolapse of the uterus from dd1's birth 4 years ago. I've just had keyhole surgery to repair it, using mesh to pin it up. As soon as I was diagnosed, the only long term option was surgery. I had a ring pessary in the interim. Doctors were very sympathetic. I was told it was too severe for pelvic floor exercises to make any differences.

I don't know yet whether it has made a difference as the operation was 4 weeks ago. Recovery is slow and quite painful. Dds are 4 and 2 now - I have finished my family.

Has anyone else had the mesh repair? Would love to hear how it worked out.

Highlights - the ring should help if it's classed as mild. You can take it out fairly easily for Sex but still missionary only. Make sure you get the right sized ring otherwise it slips down and everything falls down again.

Polly - I was was thinking internet may be the way to go however as i live on the doorstep of a big supermarket I keep thinking I'm being v silly.

Xmas- next gynae appt in 6 months, will request a ring I think. It just feels so intrusive not to mention the porn star poses for examination (on your side, one leg in the air, dignity - what's that?!)
Good luck with the surgery recovery I hope it's successful for you

Hightlights I got my ring from my GP, you shouldnt need to wait until you see your gynae.

It's definitely not a dignified situation Highlights! My last appointment had my flat on my back, both legs in air with three male doctors examining and talking about whether I was too obese for the surgery. Humiliating!

Yes you can get ring from GP. You need to ask for one of the doctors who knows how to fit it then she can show you.

I still feel my prolapse bobbing around so I worry the op wasn't successful and I'll have been through all this for nothing. Trying not to think about it really. They did say I might need further surgery but I'd have to leave it a few years til the dc are more independent.