I think I may be having some kind of prolapse :-( Advice? Experience?

[IsThisWhatIThinkItIs]

Over the last couple of weeks I have had a nasty jarring cough and have been getting progressively more incontinent when I cough. V Unpleasant but I just presumed it was because I had a 3rd degree tear with my first child and my pelvic floor isnt what it once was.

Last night I noticed that things down below just didnt feel the same - it feels like there is something inflated in my vagina and after some research I am worried that I am experiencing some kind of prolapse.

I am only 29 but have had a 3rd degree tear during birth, 2 vaginal births, am overweight and have had a horrid cough so it looks like I may be a prime candidate.

Anyone ahve any experience or advice to offer?

Obviously I know I will have to see GP.

No-one? Please feel free to change your name like I did

thanks - I had a look in the mirror earlier and there certainly doesn't appear to be anything protruding yet at least but it does feel wrong inside. I will call doctor.

My mother had this about 2 year sago. She was 63 and so the doctor advised a hysterectomy. She was very well afterwards.

Not saying that hysterectomy will be the treatment for you of course. There may be other treatments.

ABetaDad - thanks for your post. I am glad your mum was well afterwards. I think it is more common in people of a more advanced age which is quite depressing to a 29 year old. I have googled and it looks like there are various treatments ranging from excercises, pessary things, pelvic floor repair to hysterectomy. Hopefully if that is what it is then it isn't at such an advanced stage to need major surgery.

Glad to hear there are other options. You do need to get to see your GP though ASAP.

I have a mild rectal prolapse following birth of dc1 - I could feel (and see) a bulge at the entrance to my vagina. it hasn't caused me any continence problems to date annd my gp said that it shouldn't be a problem in the future if I avoid getting constipated (i.e. eat plenty of fibre) and try not to cough too much (don't become a smoker!) - although he said that 15-20 yrs down the line (presumably when i hit the menopause) it might deteriorate. he also said to do lots of pelvic floor exercises.

For more severe cases there are things that can be done - it depends on the type and degree of prolapse. i have seen other threads on mn so worth a search... apparently it is extremely common after childbirth so try not to be too concerned. (mine is no worse after dc2 by the way)

IsThisWhatIThinkItIs don't panic .

My sister is a women's health physiotherapist and prolapses amongst younger women are more common than you think. Especially if childbirth has been relatively recent. Your cough may have been a trigger to aggrevated weakened pelvic floor muscles.

Do you regularly do pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your muscles? Has your Mum/Gran had a hysterectomy/pelvic problems (weak pelvic floor muscles can be a genetic thing apparently).

First step is to go see your GP and get a referral to a gyno or women's health physio. If it's not protruding that is a good sign, it might be corrected by regular pelvic floor exercises.

If it does reguire surgery there are a number of minor procedure they can try. A hysterectomy is generally a last resort for a women your (young!) age.

I'm prolapse obsessed after developing a blader and bowel one after my first baby. I was 34, really fit prior the pregnancy, not overweight and had a really easy quick vaginal delivery. It is so much more common than women think.

Basically my pelvic floor muscles were completely shot through. I work as a midwife and regularly nagged women to do pelvic floor exercises but..aherm.. didn't do any myself...

I would definately see GP to ask for referal to womans halth physio - your symptoms sound very similar to mine.

I did LOADS of pelvic floor ex. and as the prolapses were slight, that was enough to sort them out. My physio was a marvellous woman and I feel eternally grateful for her!!!

I had TVT (sling made from fibrous tape) in August for a prolaspse and weak bladder, it's worked really well. Go to your GP before it gets worse.

Thanks so much for all the replies. I am seeing the GP on Friday.

I'm seeing women's health physio for the same problem (am 36 years old, with one DS). Mine has improved a lot already from when I first noticed it and am really hoping I can correct it without surgery. Coughing definitely makes it worse, so does being on my feet all day - if you've had both of those recently it will likely be worse. Also try not to lift anything heavy (difficult for a mum, I know!!), and if you do have to lift anything try to tense your pelvic floor at the same time. Try to tense your pelvic floor when you cough too. That is tricky though, a bit like patting your head while rubbing your tummy, I find!

When I first noticed it I was so upset and embarrassed. I actually sat and had a little cry, feeling very sorry for myself. I talked to other people on MN and found others who'd had prolapse very young and who had sorted it out without hysterectomy. My physio is optimistic about my treatment, and very lovely and kind. Good luck, you'll feel better when you're getting some treatment for it. Lots of women are too embarrassed to go to the doctor and just live with it until it's unbearable (and more difficult to put right if it's gone too far) so good on you for going to the GP.

I have an vaginal prolapse since the birth of my last child ( I knew immediately something was wrong)Ironically I worked as a gynae nurse for many years so had some idea what had happened.
Due for an anterior repair 'some time in may' according to my consultant.
Physio was my first port of call, sadly due to being a mum of many it didn't help in my particular case (things were pretty bad by then!)
good luck!