Cystocele AND rectocele prolapse

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

9 months pp after difficult vaginal deliver which resulted in a 3c tear needing big repair in theatre as torn front to back and into uterus. Horrendous recovery. Thought things were going ok. Recently not been feeling right in my vagina. Pain and dragging sensation back. GP today has confirmed a cystocele and rectocele prolapse. Basically both my bladder and rectum are falling to my vagina. I’m so so upset. I’m only 32. Just had my first baby. I’m being referred to gynae but just wondered if anyone else has had this and what the outcome was?

To answer other questions- the pessary can stay in for four months - and yes you can take it out for sex. (You don’t sound sex mad OP😂 I know it’s important not to feel like it’s all over in that department!!) After 4 months apparently I will get appt at hospital with nurse to check fit is ok and insert a new one. It has massively relieved the dragging sensation and I can go for proper walks again without feeling totally exhausted and needing a sit down. If you have the option I would definitely try it out.
Hope your physio appt helps on Friday!
I haven’t heard of those methods but am going to do some googling once I’m through bedtime. My mindset this time round is much better, I feel like it’s something I can and should actively do something to address - rather than just ignore! Pelvic floor rehabilitation post birth takes months but I am going to stick at it this time.
Also in case it’s reassuring, despite prolapse symptoms after baby 1 and 2, I’d say that sex went back to being extremely enjoyable (after the first year of total exhaustion / low libido due to bf).

Why no caffeine @slidingdrawers? Not sure I can survive lockdown with 2 children and a baby, homeschooling, without it!!

@slidingdrawers thanks. Why no caffeine? I use a poo stool ever since the birth of my boy recovering from my tear will a million stitches!

@BirdsDoIt yes I know what you mean. Yesterday and this morning I was really upset and now I sort of feel emotionally exhausted. However you’re right I’m trying to look at ways I can help myself rather than ignoring it. Feel a little annoyed as I religiously did pelvic floor exercises when pregnant! Good to know people went on to have second babies though as this was upsetting me the most I think!

@StuntCroissant glad things have got better for you!

Following, haven't been diagnosed but really need to book GP app as I'm sure I have this also #scaredtogotodr

Caffeine is a bladder irritant and a diuretic (so you produce more urine) so can worsen prolapse symptoms. Have a read here:

bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/urinary-incontinence-and-pelvic-organ-prolapse-in-women.html

Carbonated drinks are also problematic.

@slidingdrawers thanks. Very useful info!

@mumtobabygilrl please please go it’s not nice but needs to be sorted

I'm the same. Nasty forceps delivery when I was 31. I had a significant rectocele and pudendal nerve damage

I struggled on for 5 years then saw a consultant. I refused surgery and was referred to the Colorectal nurse. This in my opinion should always be the first option not the second.

She programmed me my own pelvic floor exercise machine that was Tailored to my damage.

I have to use it for 30 mins every single day and have done for 15 years. It works. Everything is back where it should be due to my strong muscles.

Consultant says I still might need surgery when I get to 60+ although my nurse says if I exercise each day then I'm maintaining so I won't.

So many women go through this silently. I wish they covered this properly in antenatal classes. I spent 5 years struggling before non invasive treatment.

@purplebagladylovesgin that’s amazing that you fixed it with exercise. Gives me hope!

Tonight I’m getting a smear of fresh red blood in my discharge. Could this just be from examination yesterday?!!

Yes, particularly if they used a speculum.

I had surgery when I was 36/37 after 2nd DC.
It was private so maybe it wouldn't have been 'bad enough' otherwise. I also had my uterus hitched up- that and the bladder were the worst. The rectocele wasn't an issue but they did that too for extra support.

I had months of physio first using some electric stimulant for the muscles and Kegels etc but no luck.

I had surgery to repair grade 3 cystocele and grade 2 rectocele back in October, honestly it's changed my life. I had 4 babies over the span of 8 years and it took such a toll on my body. I was told I was too young for surgery (I'm mid 20s) but I was so unhappy I requested a second opinion. The gynecologist I saw agreed it needed doing regardless of my age. Best decision I ever made, don't let them fob you off OP.

Hi ladies,

Hope
You're well.

Wanted your opinion. I stated to get a dull ache in my lower stomach and pelvic that would only come on the evening. Then I started to get shooting pains in my vagina again in the evenings. Decided to have a look at my vagina. Nothing has come out sorry tmi but I can see something inside which I have never noticed before. I have 2 kids 3 & 1 and I'll be honest I never done my pelvic exercises. Does this sound like a possible prolapse womb?

@Courtney10891 it's difficult to say without an examination. It is very common after childbirth though. I would start some pelvic floor exercises now, it's never too late. Downloading the NHS Squeezy app (small cost) is a good place to start plus following the other advice I gave to the OP in my earlier post. You may struggle to see a GP for a while due to the current climate so in the meanwhile these things will help regardless of whether or not it is a prolapse.

Thank you for your reply.

If it is a prolapse is it able to be reversed from pelvic floor exercises?? X

@Courtney10891

Thank you for your reply.

If it is a prolapse is it able to be reversed from pelvic floor exercises?? X

That depends on the grade of prolapse. A minor prolapse, yes it can be reduced through conservative management (eg exercise, lifestyle changes). Surgery for some is however inevitable down the line. They tend to worsen in peri-menopause.

Thank you I've managed to get an appointment today. So will see what the doctor says x

@Whatelsecouldibecalled
I was in your position a couple of months ago - 3rd degree tear also. I started out by seeing a physio who was pretty useless and sent me on my way with pelvic floor exercises - these didn’t work as I had nerve damage so wasn’t able to contract the muscles down there. In the end I saw a different physio who recommended a stim device and oh my god the difference - I feel like I’ve got my life back. TMI but it’s made a massive difference in the bedroom also. It is a bit weird to start with but you soon get used to it. I sit and crochet whilst I’m using it now lol.

What device is it if you don’t mind me asking?

@Chlooooo it’s called neurotrac continence

Hello. Am 12 weeks postpartum, 32, first baby. I have just bitten the bullet and spoken to HV and GP and have an appt with GP next week. I think I may have prolapses from both sides, bladder and back passage. I leak urine after peeing and standing up, or when I bend forward but not other times, or sneezing, coughing etc. But I can feel what I think is a rectocele as well. Both at the entrance as well rather than inside. I had a second degree tear, but all internal, not external. I'm lucky as don't have pain and the excruciating dragging feeling eased off about week 6/7. I was in early menopause before I fell pregnant (while taking HRT) so wondering if this has also increased my risk?

I think this is the most positive prolapse thread I’ve read, thankyou. I was struggling x

Hello ladies,
I have just been told that I have a rectocele at 42 yrs old and I have to say that it has hit me very hard - I think about it all the time and have been waking up in the night, worrying about it. I am luckily living in a country where I can easily see specialist doctors so I have started to see a physiotherapist, who confirmed the problem - and will see the gynaecologist on Tuesday... so far the symptoms aren't too bad - I have trouble passing poo sometimes and feel like I need to wee randomly just after having been to the toilet... apart from that, not to much.
I'm just terrified that one day I will sneeze or run after my son and everything will fall out! Tell me that it happens more gradually than that please...

I did start a thread but not many people responded and you all seem very kind :-)

Hi ladies, I started a thread but got no replies so am happy to find this one! I'm nearly 4 weeks post partum and I think I have a rectocele (my symptoms match). I mentioned it to the GP but she said to wait for a bit as it's still very early days (fair enough). However, I'm finding the sensation of something about to 'fall out' very uncomfortable. TMI, but it's like a tampon is in wrong and is about to slide out. I'm doing pelvic floor exercises, but is there anything else I can be doing? Thank you!