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Original poster

To ask how many of you have a prolapse?

70 replies

Bella1994 · 15/05/2023 19:15

Just want to ask how many of you have a prolapse? And your age ? I have all 3 and I’m only 26 and one birth of a little girl who is now 2 years old. Really feel alone. Been told it’s very common yet not one of my friends have even heard of it. My vagina is very short and I can’t wear tampons any more. It’s really knocked my confidence it’s definitely not the same down there

OP posts:
marjorambasil · 16/05/2023 00:36

@lampformyfeet I have really bad stretchmarks!! and diastasis recti. I hope the collagen issues don't make surgery more likely to fail .

Sundaysundaebananasplit · 16/05/2023 02:07

I had a prolapse after baby number 2 (vbac) and had an elective c section with number 3. During the 3rd pregnancy I felt like my vagina was about to fall out a lot, but the prolapse didn't get worse after birth. Everything just feels much lower and closer to the entrance. I can't wear tampons anymore as they just fall out, but my husband has said that he doesn't notice any difference so it can't be that bad. What creeps me out is how much the external parts have changed due to how my episiotomy was stitched. I find the whole thing grim and remember through gritted teeth how much I was encouraged to have a vbac for faster recovery, and it was anything but.

Feckthelotofthem · 16/05/2023 02:31

The NHS app Squeezy is very helpful - it has helped my prolapse since I've actually been doing the daily pelvic floor excercises. Can do them anywhere without anybody noticing!

WomanFromTheNorth · 16/05/2023 02:36

I do. Since I was 45. Uterine. When I saw the gynaecologist she was completely unconcerned and said most women who've had 2 natural childbirths will have some degree of prolapse. Mine is just uncomfortable rather than painful but it's quite low. And sex is almost impossible because its not comfortable.

WomanFromTheNorth · 16/05/2023 02:40

Bella1994 · 15/05/2023 22:03

Also sorry if it’s TMI you don’t have to answer but can you feel your cervix ? Since my prolapse my cervix is at the second knuckle in and I never used to be able to feel it before ! It really creeps me out and I’m constantly parranoid of it getting lower

Yes I can feel it at the entrance to my vagina. I can push it up but it just falls back out.

FakeyMcFakeFace · 16/05/2023 02:45

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WomanFromTheNorth · 16/05/2023 03:32

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Yep. It's what happens. Fannies fall out.

sleepismyhobby · 16/05/2023 03:50

I didn't know about the hyper mobile relation to a prolapse . I've got one after the birth of my 2nd son I'm now 48 so had it 6 years. Been to the dr and she was useless saying it was my age also I am in urinary incontinent as well. This has affected me a lot as I think I smell and don't want to have sex with my dh anymore as I'm so embarrassed

User0311 · 16/05/2023 03:57

I do, age 31 2 kids

Zapx · 16/05/2023 04:23

I do. 34 now with 3 kids, although it happened at 30 after baby number 1. Mine was caused by trying to go running too soon after birth. Happy to report babies 2 and 3 did not make it worse, and they were both big (9,9 and 9,8 respectively…) - it’s much better now than it was when it first happened. I currently can’t feel it much at all (unless I wear tight jeans, that seems to force everything ‘lower’) but my cervix is also at second knuckle. Proper pelvic floor exercises and getting the kegel8 helped mine. When I want to get back into running I think I’ll look at getting a pessary.

OhcantthInkofaname · 16/05/2023 06:13

I did - had hysterectomy and repairs thirty years ago. I was forty and had four pregnancies.

iamlookingfor · 16/05/2023 07:15

OhcantthInkofaname · 16/05/2023 06:13

I did - had hysterectomy and repairs thirty years ago. I was forty and had four pregnancies.

Did the surgeries work for you? I have had surgery for uterine prolapse and cystocele last year, now I am worried after reading so many replies saying that surgery doesn't work.

Nannyfannybanny · 16/05/2023 07:51

lampformyfeet,did they try anything else for the cystocele before surgery? Ironically, I've actually been doing pelvic floor excercise every night for years,and I thought the 'stop start' urine flow,was owing to super pelvic floor muscles.... not a prolapsed bladder
Did you get a lot of pain? My DD MIL had hysterectomy 2 years ago,very large cystocele repair last year,with mesh, didn't think they used that anymore. Her recovery time was immense,and she had to self-catheterise. Have a friend with physio D'S. Got the "squatty potty", doing the PC 3 times a day,lying, standing, sitting, not lifting anything heavier than a handbag, stopped running. The pain is the worse thing, about once a month, and wanting to pu the whole time. At these points, I can't even walk. Hoping to find someone who has tried electric chair therapy. Have read the failure rate after surgery is either because women aren't given the correct post surgery info,or they don't follow it.

primoseyellow · 16/05/2023 07:57

I have a one and I don't have children! Im sure mine is because peri menopause causes weakening and stretching of ligaments.

I went to doctor and she said she couldn't tell, they are really hard to diagnose apparently. I started HRT and pelvic floor exercises and I still get mild symptoms at certain times of the month, but nothing compared to how it was.

SallyWD · 16/05/2023 08:21

I have the triple whammy of bladder, bowel and uterine prolapse. Diagnosed in my 30s after my second child. To be honest it doesn't really affect me. I can go the toilet normally although sometimes have splint, have sex, wear a tampon etc. I am expecting it to become more symptomatic after menopause. I know low oestrogen can make it worse so I'm braving myself for that. I really don't want to have surgery but expect I might need it in the future. I'll try a pessary first...

lampformyfeet · 16/05/2023 09:24

Nannyfannybanny · 16/05/2023 07:51

lampformyfeet,did they try anything else for the cystocele before surgery? Ironically, I've actually been doing pelvic floor excercise every night for years,and I thought the 'stop start' urine flow,was owing to super pelvic floor muscles.... not a prolapsed bladder
Did you get a lot of pain? My DD MIL had hysterectomy 2 years ago,very large cystocele repair last year,with mesh, didn't think they used that anymore. Her recovery time was immense,and she had to self-catheterise. Have a friend with physio D'S. Got the "squatty potty", doing the PC 3 times a day,lying, standing, sitting, not lifting anything heavier than a handbag, stopped running. The pain is the worse thing, about once a month, and wanting to pu the whole time. At these points, I can't even walk. Hoping to find someone who has tried electric chair therapy. Have read the failure rate after surgery is either because women aren't given the correct post surgery info,or they don't follow it.

I had nothing before surgery, no physio ,no urinary tests, nothing, and very little after café other than being given a sheet on exercises.
I moved areas after children and the surgeon I saw (who did my surgery was pretty shocked about the way I’d been left post childbirth.

But I had no pain and no incontinence. It sounds like you need urine function tests? I’m sorry to hear it’s so awful for you.

I think it’s too easy to blame women on failure of surgery. It’s a massively complicated area to operate on and anything that has several surgical techniques to fix usually indicates that none are particularly great. The surgeon I saw a few years ago said that pelvic floor decline is normal in women and surgery will never get you back to that of a young woman , only put to to what is normal foe someone of your age ( whatever that is).

for those who are doing Squeezy app that’s great but do go to women’s health physio first. I thought I was doing my exercises properly but I wasn’t. They will examine you while you’re contracting to make sure.

Also I could use a short menstrual cup rather than a tampon which was ok

Original poster
Bella1994 · 16/05/2023 20:43

@BaffledOnceAgain not that I know of what does that even mean?xx

OP posts:
JustFrustrated · 16/05/2023 20:44

Nannyfannybanny · 15/05/2023 20:07

I'm on a waiting list to see a consultant, not considered urgent. Have been hoping to speak to someone with a pessary,see if they work.

Happy to answer any questions.

marjorambasil · 16/05/2023 21:22

@JustFrustrated I have a question if ok. Can you have sex with the pessary in?? These prolapses have basically ruined my relationship. I have no confidence or sex drive anymore because of this, my back constantly aches (which started the same time as prolapse so I know it's related) and my DP is squeamish and just doesn't understand (or doesn't want to). Our previously quite good relationship is falling apart Sad
I am prone to UTI and bv which is exacerbated by any 'disturbances' down there at all, which makes me very wary of a pessary. I also have a rectocele. I'm worried if pessary will cause more damage, but also scared of surgery.

thebestbirtheraccordingtoDD · 16/05/2023 22:00

This may sound stupid but what does it mean.
I had a follow up after a abnormal smear and the Dr said as an afterthought oh there's a prolapse as if I knew.
A prolapsed what? I have a few issues with bladder control but what other problems are down to a prolapse?

JustFrustrated · 16/05/2023 22:13

marjorambasil · 16/05/2023 21:22

@JustFrustrated I have a question if ok. Can you have sex with the pessary in?? These prolapses have basically ruined my relationship. I have no confidence or sex drive anymore because of this, my back constantly aches (which started the same time as prolapse so I know it's related) and my DP is squeamish and just doesn't understand (or doesn't want to). Our previously quite good relationship is falling apart Sad
I am prone to UTI and bv which is exacerbated by any 'disturbances' down there at all, which makes me very wary of a pessary. I also have a rectocele. I'm worried if pessary will cause more damage, but also scared of surgery.

Good questions.

1/. It improved my sex life dramatically. The pain I had during sex has disappeared. DH can feel it occasionally, but has advised it's not painful we just avoid certain positions to begin with to ensure I'm fully lubricated if you get me?

2/. No issues with UTIs. In fact, I've not had once since having it. As I can now pass urine fully.

As it's a soft, flexible silicone ring.... tampons, penis etc all go in just fine.

Nannyfannybanny · 17/05/2023 08:12

lampformyfeet, thanks for the reply
I haven't had urinary incontinence, which I gather is the biggest problem for most women. That's what my DD MIL had, following a hysterectomy,a year later the bladder repair, she didn't have it anterior vaginally, weirdly, but abdominal surgery, they used mesh, which I didn't think was used anymore. She now has a hernia on the op site, which is being operated on in a couple of weeks. She had to self catheterise for several months after the bladder surgery, which is incredible unusual (I was nursing over 40 years) after speaking to her,and others, surgery is an absolute last resort, usually ending up with hysterectomy, later. In my case, apparently,it's age and hormones related,am having various HRT cream/pessaries. I've also got LS AND vulva eczema. I said to DH, I m basically fucked from the waist down,he replied "er,no, you're not".!!

BaffledOnceAgain · 17/05/2023 10:18

Hypermobility is often thought if as just being double jointed, but it can affect all your soft tissues throughout your body. For me, I'm not very bendy/double jointed, but have weak collagen which affects healing and I tear muscles very easily. My ds has bowel and bladder issues, as well as sleep apnoea and reflux because of it. All of us have issues with our blood sugar too which can be part of it.

Nannyfannybanny · 17/05/2023 11:15

There are no "urine function tests," urine isn't a function. Kidney function tests, mostly via blood tests. Had that last year,NAD. Have also had dye renal failure tests again NAD

lampformyfeet · 17/05/2023 22:48

Nannyfannybanny · 17/05/2023 11:15

There are no "urine function tests," urine isn't a function. Kidney function tests, mostly via blood tests. Had that last year,NAD. Have also had dye renal failure tests again NAD

I should have said bladder function tests. I think they can test the effectiveness of bladder emptying and sphincter control etc Prior to my friend having surgery she had this done.