Mild Prolapse - Can i still go running?

[Irishchic]

I'm not into marathons or anything but like to be able to run 4 miles or so a couple of times a week.

I have mild prolapse which doc says does not need treated at this stage and maybe not for several years.

Forgot to ask him when there if it was alright to do running as a way to keep fit. Does anyone know?

Worry that running might make it fall even lower!

Hi Nikita. I just saw your post when searching for information about running with a prolapse. I too have a mild prolapse following the birth of DS. I started running at 3 weeks pp (stuuuuupido me) and noticed it after this. I got a referral to gynae for it and now have physio. My physio said that running really isn't great for prolapses and that I should be able to hold my pelvic floor for ten seconds x 30 before I even thought about starting again. She may fit me with a pessary for running (to hold everything in place!) Have you thought about getting a physio referral? I have found it really helpful and have noticed a real improvement. Hope this is of some help.

I wouldn't.
I tried jogging after a repair op-many years after the op- and immediately felt looser! I went to see a gyane and a physio who both said jogging knackers your pelvic floor.

I would say that you should start gently and just see how it goes.

I have had a mild prolapse since the birth of DD four years ago, yet regularly run distances of up to half-marathon (with a marathon planned for October this year). I ran before DD was born and started again about two years after the birth (not due to the prolapse but due to my public bone getting damaged during the birth). My gynae says the important thing is to ensure that you do your pelvic floor exercises regularly and that you not only run but also do strength workouts for the whole pelvic area (lower back, stomach, upper legs, etc.) and, ideally, some pilates to tone the deeper-lying muscles. I would say that I have never had a problem mixing running and prolapse. The only time I think I might notice it is during my period, when I seem to want to go to the lavatory a lot on longer runs (e.g. four times in two hours), but I can't honestly say that it's the prolapse pressing on the bladder and not simply the fact that I in any case suffer from very heavy periods.

Thanks purplepeony and TheRedQueen.

It's really good to hear from someone who has experience of running with a mild prolapse. I am desperate to get back on my feet but completely fearful that I will feel the dreaded bulge! I feel like stopping running would have more of a negative affect on my life than a slightly worse prolapse. My physio is a runner and seems to understand that to expect a runner not to run again is unrealistic so better to work on strengthening the pelvic floor. However she also warns of the consequences of making the prolapse worse (eeek!). It's a bit of a toss up really.

TheRedQueen-Did it take you time to feel confident about running again (with regards to your prolapse)? Sorry to quiz you.

I have heard it mentioned that a large number of mothers have some degree of prolapse pp. That coupled with the fact that running is a known pelvic floor weakener must mean there are lots of us out there...

Why don't you take up walking instead? I've had prolapse for over ten years. Wouldn't dream of running. The whole lot would be dragging on the ground behind me. I walk an awful lot and this doesn't give me that horrible dragging feeling. You can apparently use a tampon to secure things if it's bad. Insert and tuck it forwards behind the pubic bone. Most mothers have some prolapse even if they don't know about it. Torn muscles and tendons that held the organs in place internally before pregnancy.

Hi, sorry to have taken a while to get back to you.

To answer your question, no it didn't take time for me to feel confident again. (To be honest, I was more concerned about my pubic bone than the prolapse as the former had meant that I could hardly walk - never mind run - for a long time. I just sort of got on with the running!) That said, however, I did embark on the strength programme prior to starting and, when I finally did start, I began very gradually - like a beginner with a few minutes of walking and then a few minutes of running. I also spent quite some time perfecting my running style in order to minimize "bounce" and maximize forward motion. (I was lucky here in that I have always been blessed with an efficient running style, but you can easily train yourself not to bob up and down too much either by running on a treadmill, watching yourself and correcting where need be or, if you are outside, by picking a point in the distance and trying to minimize how much it appears to move up and down.) The other thing which I was advised to do was to run on soft surfaces to keep impact down, although I have to confess that I don't really do this and I often find that supposedly "soft" surfaces can be remarkably uneven.

I wouldn't give up running for the world. If anything, I think it helps me make sure that I do my pelvic floor exercises and keep all the other connective tissue in good, strong order.

Please if you have stage 1 or 2 prolapse, so not actually hanging down check out hypopressives they are a low pressure exercise programme that re trains and strengthens your pelvic region and core! Widely available in Europe in Belgium all post birth mothers receive a course! There are two practitioners in Scotland and more in England for more info look here hypopressivescotland.com, feel free to contact me! It really works I can't run far or jump high yet but it is getting better, gone from a stage 2 to a stage 1! Don't suffer, don't feel your only option is tena lady!

I had a mild prolapse and was told by the GP that I would need to complete my family and then have an operation and I wouldn't be able to run or do high intensity exercise again. I'm 8 months post birth and have done lots of pelvic floor exercises, physio, Pilates, used pelvic floor vaginal weights, a biofeedback machine and an electrical stimulator machine. Running was really important to me and I worked really hard to get my pelvic floor strong enough for running. I've built up slowly and ran 10 miles on Sunday in about 85 minutes. I plan to keep building on this and still hope to run London Marathon this year about 50 weeks post birth. Just wanted to post this to give people hope. When I first found out I had a prolapse I was so upset and thought my running days were over. It's been a hard struggle but it does get better. I find using a tampon on long runs just gives me a bit of extra support on down hill stretches. I did order some pessaries but found them really uncomfortable. The tampon is a lot better. Keep doing the exercises and see a physio and it will improve.

I'm reading this with interest having posted a similar query on the exercise board.

I have a mild prolapse and PF weakness but got to the point where things were fine day to day. I did C25k a while ago then lost interest / time after taking on a new job. I did C25k again more recently and realised that my prolapse seemed to have got worse as a result. I decided to stop running and focus on my undercarriage!

I'm hoping to keep up fitness by cross training, and if I feel better run, but less frequently and see how it goes.

I assumed that if I had no continence issues I'd be okay. I clearly need to be careful and do the exercises!

I found information about EVB shorts online and some good reviews. They offer pelvic floor support for runners and claim to reduce the impact of running significantly. Sounds good in theory and I'd be willing to use them for runs once in a while. I'm not sure that I want to risk a return to training 3 or 4 times a week though, even if the shorts work. Too risky.

Sorry. Rambling. Glad to know that other ladies are debating the same though.

chickenbum88 please tell me more! I could have written your post. I'm in desperate need of help. My GP also told me I could try physio or have surgery. I have a mild to moderate prolapse (they can't seem to make their minds up!) I even went to a gynae but he wasn't much help. I tried a pessary but it was so uncomfortable and kept falling out. I'm 4 years pp and have 3 kids. I tried running for the 2nd time today -yet another attempt to start running and now it feels heavy down below and my bladder is irritated. I'm crying as I can't jump, I can't run and I feel like my body has let me down. I want to be able to run with my kids. I was starting couch to 5k and now I feel like I have to give up yet again. I'm so scared of the thought of an operation. Can you tell me which electrical stimulators, biofeedback and weights you used and did they work?

thanks!

And Irishchic sorry didn't meant to hijack your post, I have had mixed responses from professionals, some saying running should be ok, some saying no. But from my run this morning I think the state my pelvic floor is in, it definitely makes it worse unless you've done tons of pf work/physio etc

This is a 10 yr old thread.

However, I had a prolapse repair and started gentle running a few years later. I felt it wasn't holding up and a gynae and a physio said no to running and no to any high impact exercise- that is where both feet are off the floor and you land on the ground after jumping, running, jogging, etc.

oh thanks PollyPerky why the heck is it still on here then??

So what sort of repair did you have? That's what I'm worried about- them saying well yeah you'll be ok as long as you don't jump or run or anything. Was the operation/recovery ok? So you can run/jump etc now?
I'm very scared about the whole idea of an operation. I may start a new thread just to get more success stories/advice. Thanks for replying!

sunshine I had the full works. It was all grade 1 but still bothersome. Main reason was a cystocele, (front wall where bladder is supported), slight uterine prolapse and slight rectocele. 5 days in hospital as it was then, 6 weeks with no driving or lifting. was told never to lift more than a stone ( 6.5 kgs) ever.

The op was 25 years ago now. I went jogging once or twice maybe 5- 10 years or so after the op- can't remember when exactly. Anyway it didn't feel good- could feel something bulging a bit again so took myself off to physio for advice.

I even have to adapt Pilates exercises which push down on the abdomen. You should read the info on the website of Michelle Kenway- physio in Oz who specialises in all of this. Loads of info on what you can and can't do.

So you still can't run or jump after the op? I guess I was hoping for a magical cure. Funnily enough I have her book! I read some of it now it's gathering dust on the shelf, I suppose I thought I was fitter and could 'handle' normal exercise. I feel like I have to treat myself like an old person and psychologically I'm really struggling as I feel fit otherwise. I'll have a proper look at the book again. I'm planning to get referred and speak to a surgeon again- get some clear answers as to whether just physio is enough and if not I guess I'll have to consider surgery. Meanwhile I'm going to do kegels and more core work to keep my core strong.