Help, I think it’s a prolapse! Advice please!

[Porthia]

I have developed a prolapse - it’s pretty severe from what I can see on Dr Google (think something poking out!! I can push it back up and it’s not painful but I am FREAKING THE FUCK OUT).

It has come on suddenly along with the inability to hold in a wee when I cough or sneeze.

Obviously there is no way to get a GP appointment for love nor money and I’m frantically doing kegels but until I can get to see a doctor is there any advice or tips anyone can give me?

I know it’s not the end of the world but for some reason the whole idea of my internal organs being in the wrong place makes me feel really weird and I feel quite upset about it!

Go private? I assume you've attempted to see your GP?

I've had one but it sort of resolved itself. I've never had surgery or anything. Keep clenching!

I have tried to book an appointment with my gp. It’s nigh on impossible to get through. Just get a message saying all the appointments are gone for the day and they have restricted capacity due to staff sickness.

We do have private medical but apparently I need a gp referral! THE IRONY!

Please don't panic! I had severe prolapse after dd and totally understand how horrible it feels. It took time and interventions but I'm symptom free now. I just have to keep it all in check with regular exercise, cycling and swimming really help.

Pay privately to see a womens health physiotherapist for an assessment.

@Porthia

I have tried to book an appointment with my gp. It’s nigh on impossible to get through. Just get a message saying all the appointments are gone for the day and they have restricted capacity due to staff sickness.

We do have private medical but apparently I need a gp referral! THE IRONY!

Do you get a private GP with the medical insurance?

I would pay to see a women's health physio

What part of the county are you from!?

Does the insurance offer telephone gp appointments? They give referrals

OP just get a video consult with a private GP (£40 ish) and ask them to do a referral letter to whichever gynae service your private medical covers in your area/ region.

Thank you all so much. I am trying to get a private gp appointment and have found a local physio who specialises in pelvic issues. I’ve contacted her so hopefully will hear back.

@OneCuppaChar I’m so glad to hear you are now symptom free! That gives me hope! I have just joined the local swimming pool so will happily add that in to my weekly exercise routine! Unfortunately I’ve had a bad cold the last few weeks (not covid according to several PCR tests) so I’ve not done much exercise recently. I also think the coughing contributed to this whole prolapse thing!

Does anyone have any tips for living with this while I try to get some proper medical help. Even with the private route I’m not sure how far I will get given it’s Christmas!

Things to do in the meantime

• pelvic floors twice daily, can start laying down
• laxatives if needed to soften stool, never ever push a poo, try to 'moo the poo' (this pushing makes the prolapse worse apparently)
• some people have to 'splint' to get poo out
• drink lots of fluid
• use a toddler step when pooing to get the knees high
• lubricant to stop friction of the prolapse which will make discomfort worse

I'm no expert but these were my key take home points from my female health physio- she was fab. The crux seems to be 'you can't cure a prolapse but can hopefully get it to an asymptomatic state with these sorts of methods so you can avoid surgery because the surgery is shite'.

Great advice above. Don't panic (I know it's horrible) but you could get given a pessary ring thing straight away (can't remember what they're called!) when you do get seen, so that should give huge relief while you're working out a longer term solution. Just take it easy and rest as much as poss until you're seen. I know easier said than done, esp at this time of year - but it's crucial not to do more damage. Voice of bitter experience

Thanks again!

I’ve managed to book a virtual private gp appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

I guess I will need to be referred to a gynaecologist as a first port of call? I have also found a local pelvic specialist physio so might be worth seeing if I can do both!

The medical speciality is urogynaecology - see what they say, but I would definitely see a physio as well.

On FB there are groups for this. Try APOPS..
A lot of info and help, but a lot of horror stories, so try not to look at those. Also on FB, The Pelvic Power Movement with Esther Stubbs.

Thank you - that’s very helpful!

I have found a local private gynae specialising in urogynaecology so will see if I can get referred through the private gp today!

Will also check out Facebook. Although not sure I want all my Facebook friends to know I’m a member of one of those groups iyswim

Hi lovely
If you use Facebook please join FPOPS UK its the UK group, the other one is worldwide. theres over 4000 of us all with varying degrees of prolapse and loads of help and info
I have 3 prolapses, im sorry you are going through it too. Yes, You need to ask to see a urogynaecologist and pelvic floor physio im glad you have found one

J xx

P.s the other group, APOPS is worldwide and not as good as the UK one
There is a few on Facebook but for UK ladies you want FPOPS

Do not panic. But I now how you feel. I developed one after my first child.

Could you email your GP just to ask for a private referral? They may be receptive to this

I had one after my second child (although looking back, I had issues after my first child) I was mortified, uncomfortable and generally struggling with it. The best thing I did was go to a women’s health physio. It is now 12 years later and I am largely symptom free. The advice genieinacan gave was great. Look after yourself. It can feel lonely (it wasn’t something I felt I could share, even with close friends).

I personally found the Facebook groups overwhelming and generally the vocal people are those with complications or particularly bad situations- for most people it will not be like that so it can be a bit of a double edged sword.

I ended up outright talking to my close mum friends about it in the end and turns out they had both been suffering in silence too, with worth symptoms than me, and were so relieved to talk about it. Don't feel ashamed, it's very very common unfortunately.

@genieinacan

I personally found the Facebook groups overwhelming and generally the vocal people are those with complications or particularly bad situations- for most people it will not be like that so it can be a bit of a double edged sword.

I ended up outright talking to my close mum friends about it in the end and turns out they had both been suffering in silence too, with worth symptoms than me, and were so relieved to talk about it. Don't feel ashamed, it's very very common unfortunately.

Totally agree. I think it much, much more common than is reported. I also think a lot of people are embarrassed so don’t talk about it- I certainly was. I’m glad you got support from your friends.

It is very common much more than people think. Its one of those things that never gets spoken about or mentioned along with other menopausal shit! And it should be more awareness is needed

Not just menopausal women either women in their 20s can be affected. Its so sad and more support is needed x