Not a prolapse, but.....

[fooffailure]

Not a prolapse apparently, but I have a very lax vagina . I finally saw the GP this morning who has told me the walls are very very lax, and options are a ring (which needs to be changed every 2 months, by her description), or surgery. Regular changes of a ring will not at all work for at least the next year, so not possible. I'm not that fussed that I want to consider surgery. However, i can't hold a tampon in , i need to press against my vagina/perineum if I have a stiff stool (which fortunately i usually don't), and for some reason, wiping seems to take an aeon as if poo just keeps magically reappearing.

Please mumsnetters.... what should i be doing? what other options are there that may help improve things. Ideally options that are portable as i move around a lot and am rarely anywhere for longer than about 3 weeks.

Thanks, regrouted; i've kind of assumed that it will be similar exercises that cause the DR issues, but I haven't had a chance to look into it properly yet ... I've had two kids ill today (probably chicken pox, by recent exposure), and I've not had a chance to look properly, but I should probaby stop assuming they'll be similar issues lest i do further damage, as you suggest...

There are certain things that aren't a good idea with DR: sit ups and planks especially, because they increase intra-abdominal pressure which is bad news for a prolapse (as previously mentioned). But a good Pilates teacher will ensure that you know your individual limit. I never plank and I never do anything resembling a sit up - I just watch everyone else thinking "I could never manage that"

Sorry foof - wrong board! Have reported it to be deleted, ack!

The reply to you is instead(!): hopefully pilates is something that you'll be able to do, as most women are not in the absolute sorry state that I ended up in which is partly because I was misdiagnosed and continued with crossfit and pilates which absolutely pushed my innards to the very brink (of my body perimeters...). Hope your DC are feeling better soon too!

Oh hell. I have similar symptoms to the OP which my GP told me a couple of years ago isn't a prolapse.

I'd gone to see her because of piles, and mentioned that I occasionally have to press my hand to my perineum to make passing a stool easier (generally not a problem) and she said "yes, a lot of women find that helps" and THAT WAS IT!

Argh. I'm going to have to go back and be pushy aren't I? It's a lot easier to get into the nurses' clinic than the gp at our practice - is that going to be any good or does it need to be the doc, do you reckon?

I've been thinking about getting something to help with my pelvic floor as it is very weak, but noticed all the blurb on cones etc says not suitable if you have a prolapse. I'd been thinking maybe I should get that properly checked again at the docs before going ahead, and I take this thread as confirmation of that.

I think I speak on behalf of us all when I say: "bugger".

Definitely a Specialist vaginal physio

Good luck

I'm 3 months in from having surgery for prolapsed bladder (symptoms previous to this were; bladder not fully emptying, tampon not staying in place, just not feeling quite right after 3 vaginal births/carrying large toddlers).

Surgery was relatively stress free, overnight stay in hospital, no driving/lifting plus rest for approx 6 weeks, but pain has been minimal (mostly pain free), I've had s period since where I wore a tampon for a lengthy time with no bother. Sadly I'm single so can't say how the sex is, but I woundnt hesitate to recommend it if it's offered to you as an option.
I'm relatively Young to have it (41), but i didn't fancy the ring for the rest of my life and I didn't have faith that physio would work or that is remember to do it (it was not doing pelvic floor exercises that probably caused me to need surgery!)

Another vote here for a rectocele - a prolapse of the posterior (back) vaginal wall. You describe the exact symptoms I initially had.

You mention having had a diastasis recti so I'd also suggest looking at this book as also helps for prolapse & general core:

www.amazon.co.uk/Diastasis-Recti-Solution-Abdominal-Separation/dp/098965396X?tag=mumsnetforum-21

ptug.pl/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/POP-Q_Reference_Ethicon.pdf

This has the best diagrams that show clearly the different types and stages of prolapse. Take a look at the posterior wall prolapse towards the end of the leaflet.

My practice nurse/midwife who did my smear told me I didn't have a prolapse but I actually have a stage 3 confirmed by my consultant!

The constant wiping is because the stool gets trapped in the bulge. Tips are - press on the perineum or insert a finger into the vagina and press on back wall (this is known as splinting). Feet up on a stool when you go to the loo - this helps anatomy wise to straighten the bowel making it easier to go. Try to avoid straining and lugging heavy bags at all costs to avoid making it worse.

Take a look at the Michelle Kenway website (above) to see which exercises you should avoid/adapt as e.g. full plank and high impact exercise will make it worse.

Glycerin suppositories can help if you have a stool that won't come out easily with the above approach.

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I have just had a vaginal hysterectomy after a prolapse and also repair of vaginal walls anterior and posterior which were collapsing.

Just wanted to say if you don't get it sorted by Physio etc there is nothing to fear as I am surprised how good I'm feeling after just a few days.

If you look in the health label in MN there are sections on prolapses and several threads where I learnt loads.

I won't relate the tale of my attempt with the ring in detail as the one thing which hurts is laughing. All I will say is that it involved a trip to the supermarket after the fitting and it didn't last long!

Thank you for all your wisdom, mumsnet ladies. I left a message with my GP earlier in the week to see if i could get a referral to a physio rather than for surgery. i was told she'd call back if this was an issue, else it would just go through the referral system. I've had no call back, so expecting a referral shortly. If it doesn't come, i'll see if i can find a good private physio.

Saw the physio this morning... she tells me I have both an anterior wall prolapse and a posterior wall prolapse, and she thinks that my strong core muscles have been minimising the symptoms (her words not mine).

She didn't think that a kegels machine was any good for me; what she did recommend was an elvie pelvic floor tracker if i wanted to spend the money (about £170), and/or (after i'd gotten more strength back; perhaps in 2 months) a pelvic toner (about £30). Just thought i'd update for any people like me who trawled through old posts to get information!

@PollyPerky how did your op go can I ask your story ?