Any Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery success stories?

[littlecabbage]

I have a grade II cystocoele and a grade I rectocoele (following instrumental delivery during childbirth). I am going to see my GP soon to ask for referral to a women’s healh physio to help with my symptoms, but have been told I will need surgery at some point.

It’s very easy to find negative stories about surgical repairs breaking down, and how they become more and more difficult to repair each time, but I am hoping this is just because women are more likely to post when things have gone wrong and it is on their mind more.

Has anyone had surgery to improve/resolve POP and had (so far) a good outcome? How long ago did you have the surgery? How old were you? What type/grade of prolapse(s) did you have beforehand? Did you do pelvic floor physio before and/or after, and did that help? Do you do any high impact exercise now, or is that too risky? Are your symptoms completely resolved, or just improved?

Thanks for any info you are able to share.

• two big tears. Not years.

Absolutely re I want the motivation to improve it without a pessary, but I also think the pessary might hold things up and relieve symptoms but there is still some strain on prolapsed tissues which brings me back to I want to be able to without it. But I recognise that reduced strain could be way better than just running so maybe it’s a great preventative! I won’t really have a feel for things till 5-6m post birth I think and again should improve when I stop bf, prob at about 7-8 m.

That all sounds sensible. I started 3 sets of kegels a day using the Squeezy app about a week after the birth and for ages it felt like they were doing nothing at all, then suddenly noticed a big improvement in my muscle response at 7 months. It does take time.

I’ll probably not think about weaning til he’s 2 unless he decides to stop before then so am not really up for waiting that long!

I kind of thought I underwire my boobs for impact exercise so might as well do the same for my pelvic floor as, as far as I’m aware, no amount of muscle strength can repair the stretched ligaments/connective tissue so my bladder/womb are always going to be a bit more bouncy. Anyway, shall report back once I’ve nerved myself up to actually try it!

If running is bad for PF does that mean my foray with running a few years back could have caused my issues? Im sure my PF is worse now than it was after childbirth.

Sorry if this sounds silly, but I'm not sure what's going on with me. When I had my eldest four years ago I had a instrumental delivery and a fourth degree tear, ever since during my period only, I feel like my insides are gonna fall out, like a bulge, and can't bear to stand for longer than 5 mins without it starting to really feel very uncomfortable and painful. It does feel like a big ball or something is there coming out, but it literally is only during my period. Is this worth investigating with my GP or am I just explaining bad period pains here? During deep sex aswell it does hurt (if I'm on top for example).

Mines worse during my period too.

branleuse running just puts a lot of force down through your pelvic floor. If it’s strong and undamaged that’s fine, but if not, it can encourage your womb/bladder to descend as they’ll lack proper support from your PF muscles. Does that make sense?

emma that does sound like a bit of a prolapse, but I think it’s probably encouraging that it’s not bulgy all the time. I reckon it’s worth trying kegels for a bit, and seeing the GP (though my prolapse is to the point where the urogynaecologist says I’ll probably need surgery eventually, and the GP still said “no, it’s just normal post-baby laxness, you don’t have a prolapse” and I had to push for a referral, so be prepared to not get a definite diagnosis!)

Verbena87 i bought those shorts but have not yet taken them out the packet. I bought them when stuff had suddenly felt worse at a few weeks post partum, and I was panicking that I wouldn't even manage the school run any more.

But things are better now, and I can't see how they'll work if my prolapses aren't right at the entrance of my vag (which they aren't), so am hoping I can return them for a refund!

I'm encouraged to hear that you felt kegels started helping after 7 months, because right now, they don't seem to do much.

emma2939 I think it's very common for prolapses to feel worse before a period. The hormone changes can affect the laxity of the tissues.

I just want to say, I feel so much better about the whole prolapse situation after discussing it here. You all sound like strong, funny, intelligent women, and I feel less "abnormal" knowing I'm part of this gang .

I’m loving the support and camaraderie on this thread.

My update - got a private appointment on Tuesday so we’ll see how that goes. It’s actually been feeling a little better this weekend - incidentally I started my period on Friday so could it be hormonal-related? At the moment I just (TMI) feel like I’ve recently had a really big poo rather than feeling like there’s something in the wrong place when I’m sitting down. We went for a long walk yesterday and it felt ok except towards the end, but was quite uncomfortable in the car on the way back. I’ve got two back-to-back trips to Europe then a week’s holiday coming up so I’m hoping the improvement will continue.

I had to pick my referral letter up from the GP t take with me to the private appointment, so I read it (obviously) and I’m quite pissed off with the contents. The GP said I’d had symptoms for a month which is completely wrong as it basically went wrong just over a week ago after a week of DP being away and me carrying DS everywhere.... and she said I have health anxiety and she thinks I’ll probably get used to the symptoms and not need anything doing but she’s referring me because I asked her to - so glad I’m going private as I suspect that letter would have me right at the back of the nhs consultant list! What a bitch. I do have health anxiety but I knew immediately something was wrong and when she checked, I was correct in thinking the rectocele had reoccurred!

im getting a lot out of this thread too. Its an issue that really upsets me at times.

Starlings27 I'm so annoyed on your behalf about your GP's attitude. Having health anxiety is nothing to do with anything, because she has confirmed on exam that you have the problem back again.

This attitude does not help women with this issue at all, as it takes courage to talk about it in the first place .

Yeah exactly! The health anxiety is irrelevant, she should only have mentioned it (at the outside!) if she couldn’t find anything wrong. It’s no wonder there are so many women just putting up and shutting up.

So I know the thread has moved on a bit but would a partial success story be reassuring? In my books I consider it to be an 80% success but others may disagree

I had 2x surgery 4 weeks apart 18mths ago for a rectocele -grade 2 and enterocele, described as large, no grade mentioned. I also had problems with urinary retention caused by my bladder being fully adhered on one aspect with my uterus. Prior to the surgery intercourse was not great (but not a major issue) but gradually my bowel function had become so bad that for the last few years I would not be able to pass a stool without digital help . Physically very active lots of Zumba, hiking, riding and whilst I would feel achey was not the end of the world.

First surgery only my Rectocele was repaired. I did not find out for a few days but when despite industrial strength measures I was not able to pass a stool. Still in hospital I was taken for scans that showed that my small bowel full of faeces was trapped behind uterus. Usually I would have to digitally encourage faeces pooling in this section to carry on transiting through to my rectum. This was not currently possible because of all the suturing from the rectocele repair...I cannot describe the anger and hopelessness I felt about this.

I was never given an adequate explanation for why this occurred, my own gut feeling is that the ?junior consultant was not confident enough to tackle the enterocele. During pre op consultation he requested the senior specialist consultant to examine who confirmed the enterocele. I was back in theatre 4 weeks where I had keyhole and vaginal surgery. Very long surgery and quite unwell afterwards with uti, bladder spasms and iron transfusions. But a success!!

Intercourse is still not great but not a huge issue for me but I can poo. I no longer have urinary retention episodes. I was also advise no lifting, running etc but really not a drama for me, but can see for younger women with young families that this may not be great.

I still have an intussusception but since the ops has not caused any real problems, I am still careful with my diet and fluid intake.

I do feel that this is an area of women's health that is woefully neglected and misinformed even from the health professionals who provide care for this.

I have no regrets as the months go by and would recommend it with the caveat that it is not a perfect fix and recovery took far longer than I expected.

Yes to the support here - it’s so good not feeling alone with it because it is lonely and depressing at times.

she said I have health anxiety and she thinks I’ll probably get used to the symptoms and not need anything doing but she’s referring me because I asked her to starlings that’s really crap, but the main thing is you’ve got a referral.

I said to the GP who didn’t want to refer me “I’m more than happy for you to say you don’t think it’s a prolapse but I’m anxious and need reassurance, but I do want to see a gynaecologist please” - I didn’t see my letter so dunno what it said but the urogynae is fab, examined me, said “yep, you obviously know your body: you’re right.” Then talked through why it had happened, what my plans/needs/expectations are, and how we can manage it all. I’ve left both appointments feeling respected and empowered. GPS are just not brilliant on pelvic floor issues in general and are overworked (kind interpretation of why some are shit at listening, dismissive and unhelpful! )

Good luck Tuesday. I always take a list of symptoms, questions, and what I’d like out of the appointment as I get anxious/upset and forget stuff otherwise.

Thanks, good idea - I made a list this afternoon and will add to it if I think of anything else between now and Tuesday.

I told DP this week that there's no way I'm having more children and he's been quite funny with me all weekend. He's been grumbling and making 'funny' comments about being my slave as I haven't really been pulling my weight around the house or with DS. We ended up having a row about it (well I had a rant and he denied being peevish then said nothing the rest of the afternoon). Thing is, it's not just the pain/discomfort, it's the feeling low because I feel kind if revolting too. Plus I'm knackered all the time as I have B12 deficiency and have only just had my 3-monthly injection this weekend, plus Thursday was the anniversary of my mum's death, so yes, I haven't been feeling like doing much but you'd think he could make some allowances. He's normally pretty understanding so I think it may be because of the child thing - he's really wanted another for ages and I've been coming round the idea but I can't face it now. I've no doubt pregnancy would make it miles worse, even if I had a c-section this time, and if I had surgery again and this time they said I couldn't lift anything, how could I manage with a baby?

I wanted another too but having DS ruined my physical and my mental health - I put loads of weight on that I can't shift, I got the b12 deficiency, I had hideous spd that never really resolved, I got pnd that I still take antidepressants for that never got better partly because DS had a small birth defect that led to him being diagnosed with a genetic issue that he inherited from me and another child would have a 50/50 chance of also inheriting (though might be minor as I have no major issues, but could be massive, they can't predict), then the rectocele and painful sex pretty much ever since.

God. Sorry, tl;dr but I'm feeling pretty rubbish today.

@Idefix, that all sounds hideously traumatic so I'm glad you've had a pretty good outcome so far! I wish I had your stoicism and optimisitic outlook. Hope it all continues to improve for you - it did take another year to 18 months for me to have painfree intercourse after my surgery, so there's hope yet. We haven't had sex since my prolapse relapsed so I don't know whether it would be painfree now though.

Right, first of all and hugs (I don’t care if they’re not the done thing on mumsnet, you sound like you might need some).

Can totally relate to feeling low and revolting as well as uncomfy: I have periods of feeling really let down by my body and furiously resentful that there are plenty of mums who whinge about exercise and sex walking around with everything back to normal, whereas pre baby I’d get my kicks doing 10 mile plus runs in the mountains and now I can’t do 5k without things trying to fall out of my fanny, and we had a really lovely mutually fulfilling sex life. Just this feeling of “for fuck sake, I was using this body!”. It’s really hard to come to terms with and I’m not dealing with PND or grief on top (really sorry about your mum. More hugs/gin as required.)

Also, my husband has a genetic condition with the same chance of passing it on and we were offered and undertook PGD on the NHS. Not trying to undermine your feeling of being done with babies, that’s absolutely valid, but just wanted to say that may be an option if the genetics thing is part of your decision. Can talk to you about it in more depth if you like, message me whenever if that might be useful.

Fingers crossed Tuesday will be helpful and you’ll feel a bit more empowered and listened to after. Hearing all of that I am mentally willing your GP to step on Lego later - fucking insensitive and deeply unhelpful of her!

Idefix - always grateful for positive stories. Sorry to hear that it was all a bit traumatic at the time, but I'm glad you feel it has been worth doing.

Starlings27 It really sounds like you're pregnancy put you through the wringer. And I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum. I lost my Dad a year and a half ago, and it's shit.

Is it worth having a question on your list for Tuesday about a possible future pregnancy? Not saying you are wrong to decide against another child of course, but just to make sure you have all the info you need to make that decision. Are you seeing the same consultant as previously, and did you feel you could really trust them? Hope you have a really positive appointment.

DH and I haven't attempted sex yet since I gave birth 8 weeks ago. Were planning to try this w/e and I bought lube to make it less scary! But baby wasn't settled enough to be put down to sleep in Moses basket, so maybe next weekend....

Still waiting to hear about my pelvic physio referral that I requested at the 6w pn check.

*your, not you're

Poor you Starlings. I hope you feel better soon. Have you told your DH exactly what's going on?

I've told my DP and on the whole he's been very supportive.

I've also been swimming a fair bit and that definitely makes me feel better. In fact I'm feeling more toned all over which is great.

I’ve been for a short and gentle run!!! The pessary is not a complete fix but so much help, and cystocele actually feels smaller having just removed it than after a normal day on my feet with no pessary and no running. Feeling dangerous flickers of hope

Ooh so exciting for you!

We are finally home and I am getting off my bum as little as possible the next week. Unfortunately physio tomorrow so instead of being really improved my pelvic floor muscles will be in post holiday jelly mode. It was really too early after baby to do that holiday with the pil, would have been fine with just us.

Starlings that sounds miserable, I do hope things pick up.

Morning lovelies,

Sound quality is a bit shit on this episode but Elaine’s fab. There are some other good episodes as well, the Haley Shevener one is really good as well.

(Lori Forner’s ‘pelvic health podcast’)

I had an anterior repair done in 2014 aged 49. Had a bulge that would be protruding by end of day. Also had trouble with emptying bowel, and had incomplete emptying. Heaviness and pelvic pressure.
My op was a success and rarely have symptoms now.
The only time I feel it 'coming back' is after walking too fast. I did try Pilates, but even doing the gentlest exercises - you have to skip all the stomach/sit up type ones - I could feel it next day. Physio said running is an absolute no-no.
I had a stitched-only repair, no mesh. Having managed mine pretty well with carefulness, pelvic floor exercises/specialist physio, mine got significantly worse after menopause at 47. GPs and consultants were VERY reluctant to operate until I was past childbearing age.