Prolapse and running

[Whitejasmine10]

Last week I was diagnosed with a mild rectocele. I'm doing lots of pelvic floor exercises and kegal balls. I'm was training to do a half marathon in a couple months and have been running 20 miles per week. I consider myself pretty fit. My Dr says it's OK to carry on running and doing HIT workouts but I'm not convinced and don't want to make things worse. It's driving me mad not running or doing workouts as it helps with my mental health. I am walking but it's not the same. Anyone one else in the same boat or any advice?

I’d add swimming to your exercise regime

I have a prolapse (bladder) and was told by both private and nhs consultant (separately) no running, no hiit, no weights. Can walk, swim or cycle (but not uphill ). Eventually I was given a pessary to support the prolapse to enable me to do more high impact. It's shite, especially when you are used to being as active as you are. My pelvic floor physio also has me do hypopressive breathing exercises, might be worth checking them out.

It is shite you're absolutely right. Bit like a life sentence of doom 😔 I've gone from running /working out every day to nothing and it's making me so miserable. Having just spoke to my Dr, she said try a tampon to see if that helps me feel more comfortable. Just very scary. I've also read about these special pants you can get but they are so expensive and not sure if they would help.

A tampon!?! Maybe go to a pelvic floor physio and ask them to fit you for a pessary. I initially had one that I could just put in before exercise and then take out. She fitted me, told me the size and then I had to by it online, was about £50.

Assuming the gp has referred you to a gynaecologist (or whoever is suitable for a rectocele prolapse)?

To give you a bit of hope.... mine seems significantly better than it used to. I've just had a second baby and I don't wear the pessary at the moment and I only really notice it if I lift something too heavy. Albeit I'm not doing much exercise. I noticed a significant improvement as my pelvic floor got stronger. I went from a 1 out of 5 to a 3 quite quickly on the scale they use to measure it with regular pelvic floor work.

I have both rectocele and cistocele. I was advised when I was diagnosed, 7years ago, no running, jumping, lifting children etc. I refrained for a while and things got a bit better, except I had very young kids and couldn't not lift them. 3 years ago I started doing hiit, and running. I adjust the hiit to lessen the jumping elements, and I only run gently, but it hasn't made things worse. I have found this lady on instagram - Petra Fischer - quite interesting as she has a totally different take on how to support/repair the pelvic floor which doesn't involve kegels. I would recommend. I used to regularly feel the prolapse - dragging sensation - now that very very rarely happens.

Nb. I don't do kegels at all and things have improved nevertheless

Thanks everyone that's really helpful. I'm very early in with my diagnoses. I've been referred to a gynecologist so awaiting an appointment. I'm walking and modifying some workouts so as not to jump and using a weighted hoop which I've used before but not the same as doing a sweaty workout! Trying to stay positive but hard!!

I found the hypopressive exercises helped pull everything up. I’m recovering from a hysterectomy and have similar limitations. The Flower Empowered was a good source on YouTube.

Also Dr Bri has exercise sessions on YT for pelvic floor sufferers. Some do get my heart rate up nicely.

I recommend hypopressive exercises too but it's quite tricky to learn, I go to classes with a qualified instructor. I am also a member of an online yoga membership with a teacher who is a specialist in pelvic floors. I read up a lot about it all and have gradually found safe ways to exercise and modify things to keep me safe. I never was and never plan to be a marathon runner but I do run with a fairly low impact technique, go to the gym, classes etc. Also if you do need to lift heavy things, and we all do, you can use good manual handling techniques and breathing to minimise pressure on the pelvic floor.

That's great, thank you. I'll definitely give the hypopressive exercises a go and look at Dr Bri. 😘

How long is it since you gave birth? If at all possible could you see a private women’s health Physiotherapist who can fit you for a pessary ASAP?

I wouldn’t run until you get one as it puts such strain on the pelvic floor. With a mild rectocele only you should be able to get a ring pessary. Super easy to use and to put in and out.

With the pessary in you will be totally supported and should be able to resume everything as before. If you use one for the 2 years postpartum then it can hold everything in a more natural position while the ligaments tighten up and then you might not need it after that.

It's 24 years since I gave birth, I'm 52 so I'm guessing mine is down too the menopause, another thing not to look forward to, and maybe just too much running /workouts. Who knows 🤷🏽‍♀️ just very frustrating. Fine one day then the next not! Got my gynaecology appt through for end of August now. I'm also using the kegal balls so I'll see what they can do!