Uterine prolapse - please help

[Zoraboo]

Hello

I’m posting in desperation. I am pretty sure I have a uterine prolapse.

Dc1 was forceps delivery, dc2 very large and dc3 arrived perfectly 12 months ago.

After dc2 I had some physio but it was never really explained to me why. I realise how stupid I sound. I felt ok so stopped going. A couple of times after that when on the loo I thought everything felt a bit lower down. I mentioned at a smear and was told everything was fine. A few times I’d urinate and need to go again soon after but not all the time. There was never urgency. I wasnt great with star jumps but otherwise no incontinence.

I had recovered brilliantly after dc3 and have been feeling great. I’m breastfeeding but cutting down so got my first period in a while. When I removed a tampon I noticed something protruding down below. I freaked out but it went. A week later it’s back and hasn’t gone. I think it’s my cervix. I have intermittent spotting and it feels like a tampon is falling out.

I’m absolutely devastated.

I have medical insurance and am seeing a urogynaecologist tomorrow but am really looking for some personal experiences and recommendations to help me cope.

I know logically that I should’nt feel this way but I am ashamed, I feel let down, useless and like my life will never be the same again.

Running is a massive part of me, I am due to run a marathon in 10wks, a lifelong ambition. I feel heartbroken at the prospect of not being about to do this.

My main questions are:

I have no idea what grade I am but has anyone ever corrected a visible prolapse with a conservative approach?

I have read a lot about women wanting to put off surgery. Whilst I understand major surgery is not to be taken lightly, why do some women postpone?

I am confused about the (non hysterectomy) surgery options. Is the mesh still a thing? I thought this caused lots of problems?

Is it ridiculous to hope that I might be able to use a pessary to get through the rest of my training and marathon day before following a stricter plan? I know how this sounds but my mental health is already being affected by the thought of not being able to run.

Any surgery success stories appreciated, anyone out there able to exercise post op?

Are reoccurring prolapses very common?

I feel so frightened so if you are able to offer any support I’d be really grateful.

Here with you, OP. I have a grade 2 prolapse and am awaiting to get a pessery fitted.

I don't know a lot about it tbh so hoping this thread will produce some answers.

My physio therapist told me that they don't offer surgery to child baring aged women incase you get pregnant again.

I’m sorry you are in the same boat @chimmychunga

How are you finding the physio? Any improvement? The good news for you (I think) is that it’s grade 2. I have no idea what I am but I think probably worse since I can see something (tmi sorry).

I’m trying to steel myself for what might come tomorrow but I really feel rubbish.

Sending lots of love to you - I will post again after I’ve seen consultant x

Hi OP,
I am 5 weeks post surgery for a uterine prolapse, as well as anterior (bladder) and posterior (rectal) repair- I had the lot.
My gp was also unable to diagnose properly and said I maybe had a mild bladder prolapse, I knew that was wrong as I could feel how dropped my cervix was. The gynae consultant was fab however.
The uterine one my cervix had dropped so it was 2cm above my vaginal opening so not protruding.
First off although it all feels awful you are ok, it can protrude and you can still do all your things, have sex etc.
I decided on surgery because it would correct & conservative measures may help but not do enough IMO. I am mid 40s and just wanted it dealt with so I could get on with life.
I had what's called a Manchester repair- also known as amputation of the cervix- which sounds terrifying but basically they take out a section of the neck if the uterus, to shorten it, and the reattach the cervix. This was also with repairs to the front and back walls. It was all done through the vagina so no external wounds.
My gynae did say if the whole uterus had dropped then it would likely have been a hysterectomy. So be prepared to have that discussion!
Surgery took about 2 hours and I had one night in hospital with a catheter. I am yet to have my final 6 week check but I am hoping it will show everything is back where it should be!
I suggest you do a bit of googling of prolapse and prolapse repair - there are lots of good medical sites with clear information about options, surgery and recovery.
Apparently one in 2 women have some form of prolapse by the time their 50 and 1 in 11 end up with surgery- you are not alone! Once I started talking to women about mine there were loads who told me their experiences too.
Feel free to pm me if there is anything specific you want to ask.

@changingstates thank you so much for responding.

Sorry but I have approx 100 questions! I appreciate some are very personal so will not be offended if you’d rather not answer or want to do so via dm. I guess I’m posting “publicly” in case it helps anyone else.

How are you feeling post op? Was you given any advice regarding exercise, are you able to run or is that off the table?

Did you try the pessaries at all or were you able to get the surgery straight away? I’m 39 so like you feel like I want to be able to live my life without it being a constant worry.

Are you concerned about any future problems? I read that prolapse can happen again after surgery. Did your consultant have a take on this?

I’m assuming that at 5wks it’s too soon for you to have had sex but do you know if a cervical amputation affects things?

I’ve been so overwhelmed by the options on offer so thank you for naming some!

I wonder at what stage a hysterectomy is required. I read that one form of surgery is to suture the uterus back up but I have seen so many conflicting opinions on how successful this is.

I appreciate there’s only so much you can tell me but do you think I’m right to assume mine is pretty bad if protruding? I’m guessing so. I have thought it low for a while so am so annoyed at myself for not getting checked sooner. I had a smear last year and nothing was said. I just can’t believe it’s come to this - I was doing long distance runs last week.

I feel really alone. My partner is very supportive but I’m too embarrassed to talk to any friends so joined mumsnet specifically in the hope of finding other women to talk to - thank you for sharing your experience x

Hello, I am very happy to answer questions. Mammoth post though!
I understand why you feel embarrassed and I did too, and completely freaked out- but I did end up telling lots of female friends & women I work with, even some men. It’s so common I felt that the reason it’s so scary is because no one talks about it - a best kept secret! Everyone was great and my friends were an incredible emotional & practical support- do tell them, you will need them!
So post op, first week took it very easy- you are not supposed to lift anything heavier than a kettle half full for the first 3-4 weeks, no cooking - think ready meals or easy food, only lightweight housework- this is to stop you putting strain on the stitching and damaging the work. I was pottering around from day 2, out for short walks (10 mins) from day 3 & now I feel pretty much back to normal- I walk for over an hour, do most things round the house, am just careful of lifting anything too heavy. From 6 weeks you should be able to go back to the gym, running etc. A pelvic physio saw me before discharge and took me through some pelvic floor exercises to do from straightaway and then I saw her again after 4 weeks. Won’t see her again unless needed.

I decided to go for surgery straightaway- pessaries looked fiddly, had to either go to have them taken out & cleaned or do it yourself at home every couple of weeks, they either had to come out for sex or could be felt during it- I just didn’t want to be arsed with that.

Yes prolapse can reoccur, but to be honest I thought - I have a prolapse, I can either keep having one or have surgery and hope I’m in the 70% where it doesn’t! And if I do prolapse again we’ll then I’m just back where I was going to be without the surgery anyway. I think with regular pelvic floor, always watching you don’t do really heavy lifting you stand a better chance.

Cervical amputation does not affect sex as far as I am aware yet (no sex until at least 6 weeks)- all they are effectively doing is moving the cervix up- you still get periods, can get pregnant etc with this surgery. I did ask my surgeon about impact on sex, particularly as I had such extensive repairs, I have a healthy sex life which is important to me- her reply was in 30 years of doing prolapse repair she had not had any patients with issues. If I remember I will come back in here in a couple of weeks and update you once I’ve tried it out!!

I think if yours is poking out then yes it’s probably a stage 3 or 4 prolapse- it doesn’t pose any risk to you is my understanding from my reading and you could just go through life with it- but am guessing you don’t want to. You have private healthcare which is great as it will mean you have the option to choose what you want and when.

Good luck with the appointment today, go armed with questions- be prepared to be freaked out as it can be a lot to take in- but it also felt great to be in the hands of someone who could talk so confidently and competently about exactly what I had and what my choices were- it was reassuring. Don’t be rushed into a decision- go home, weigh your options- talk to dp AND your friends.

DO update and feel free to ask me anything. Apologies for writing so much- I have a tendency to over explain!!

@changingstates I’m more confused than ever. Consultant said there’s a slight prolapse but to be expected with age and 3 kids. Essentially said it was all fine, do some pelvic floors and come back in 5wks.

He said it wasn’t my cervix I could see but just part of my vagina. I said that I was sure it wasn’t there before and he asked how often I looked (fair point) and that things move with age but he did not think I had a problem at my PF was pretty good all things considered.

All things I wanted to hear BUT doesn’t change what I can actually FEEL. A heavy drag down below, like a weight and slightly sore. Basically how it feels a couple of days after giving birth. And a tiny bit sticks out when I look. It doesn’t hang down (sorry!!) but if I look with a mirror I can see it.

My partner has been super supportive but came to the appointment and I can tell he’s now thinking I’m a hypochondriac. I’m not, it really doesn’t feel right.

I was examined lying on my side then on my back, is this normal?

I am going to get a second opinion to put my mind at rest.

Thank you so much for answering all my questions so openly and for your support x

Oh dear, I am sorry you don't feel happy with what the consultant said to you, it's hard when you know something's not right. However it does seem things are maybe not quite as horrific as you were thinking!
I did spend a lot of time examining myself in a mirror and worrying about what I saw (very fleshy) but having not spent any time looking with a mirror in the last many years I had no comparator! I did try googling to see if I could find pictures of vaginas, turned up some pretty extreme sites as well as some more medical pictures, all I really learnt it that there are masses of different looking vaginas as well as vulvas!

Yes I was examined in my back, usual smear type position, and also on my side with one leg up against the wall- had to cough and she used 'instruments' to tug at things- lovely!
I think it's worth the second opinion, you know that something's changed - it will either reassure you that actually things are mostly fine or give you a different perspective. Either way there's nothing to lose.
Most private health insurers send a list of approved gynaecologists to pick from - did yours, or would they?- you can then check out their bios and try to pick one who specialises in prolapse?
Where in the country are you? Could recommend mine, who works privately, if you like (am in London).

Can I ask who your surgeon was? I have some issues that I suspect will need fixing in due course