Help please: vaginal prolapse

[supergolden88]

I think I very likely have some form of vaginal prolapse. I have all the symptons but only put them all together now - visited doctor today. I have a follow where I imagine there will be an internal exam but to be honest I am 100% convinced it is that.

I am freaking out. Any info or help much appreciated

[womanofdulwich]

get doing you pelvic floor exercises now. 10 x 10 a day.might be able to pull it bcak. the ecamination is nothing compared to a smear.

[supergolden88]

I think I am beyond the pelvic floor exercises now. I dont want to go into details but I am unable to do them properly anyway. I cant stop crying

[anyjoy]

You poor thing, being a woman really is tough at times. I thought I had a prolapse after having our little one as had many symptoms that the doctors ignored and wrote off. It turned out that it wasn't but was retained placenta after the birth, pulling my uterus down etc as was so full and infected. How long since you had your baby? Once operated on I got better very quickly. Just wanted to mention this as I had google diagnosed a prolapse and it turned out to be quite a different problem. Make sure you are persistent and seek out the medical care and support you need. Ask questions and be awkward. No one knows your body and it's limits like you do. Good luck

[supergolden88]

My baby is nearly 16 months. I have had some signs for a while now which I thought were due to weak pelvic floor etc. I only realised this was a persistent problem after I started running regularly. How incredibly ironic that now I have finally got my body back my body is giving up on me

[The Nappy Lady]

Try to stay positive honey until you have had your second appointment. I don't know much about this, but I do know that the medical profession is amazing at sorting stuff like this out, and they do move fast when they need to. It WILL get sorted, and you will be OK. It's a long haul regaining 'the old you' post baby and this must feel like such a huge set back, I'm so sorry. xxx

[Cora]

Kings urogyny department have a very good reputation for this type of thing, meant to be one of the best in the country and the physios are lovely and very knowledgable. So at least you are in a good place for getting it sorted. The percentage of women who have some sort of prolapse after birth is much larger than is talked about, so it is not uncommon, you are not alone. Just chase your referral and check what exercise you should be doing as I suspect there are some that will make it worse for the time being (pelvic floor exercises not being one of them).

[supergolden88]

I have a follow up appointment with the GP in 10 days time (to allow for blood results and urine test to come back - some checking for IBS type symptoms) but when I booked it prolapse was mentioned as one possibility for my symtoms. Went home and read about it and examined myself and lets just say it is obvious. I think the running which I tooke up about 4-5 months ago may have actually caused the prolapse or pushed it over the edge.

I dont think I can wait another week without having it checked. It is literally all I think about and physically I can feel it constantly now that I am aware of it.

I have a referral for Kings urogyny department (for end of March) but again this was booked before prolapse was the identified problem - it was because I had stress incontinence and unable to preform pelvic floor exercises succesfully (both of which are as a result of the prolapse).

Should I go in and ask for an emergency appointment? Though how am I going to manage one outside work hours is beyond me. Since starting this new job I have had the flu (twice), was then mugged and hurt my spine, have (suspected) IBS and now the prolapse. I feel like 2012 is jinxed.

[hellosailor]

Have pmed x

[theratprincess]

Really sorry to hear about the problems you're having.

I haven't had a prolapse but did have a 3rd degree tear as a result of my son's birth. It was repaired really well at the time and the aftercare was good. Kings are very good and have a good reputation. I was seen subsequently by Mr Bidmead and a very good gynae physio. Both were very sympathetic and knowledgeable. Mr Bidmead practises privately at the London Bridge Hospital I think, if you can bear forking out to see him sooner.

I know these kind of health problems can be a bit of a lonely business, hence this post.

Another good source of info and support are the ragged bits or rectocele/cystocele threads on mumsnet.

[supergolden88]

Just wanted to say thank you all so much for the messages posted here and the incredibly kind and helpful PMs. I am surprised that having had two babies and devoured endless books about childbirth I never once came across pelvic prolapse as an issue. I think if I were educated about this I may have been a little more serious about doing my pelvic squeezes!

[supergolden88]

Bit of an update: having an ultrasound this thursday and an appointment with urogynae department next Monday. I hope once I have a bit more info I can raise awareness of this issue which is affecting so many women.

[The Nappy Lady]

Good luck, hope all goes well.

There was a girl on 'Embarrassing Bodies' the other day who needed surgery for this & it was very interesting, did you see it?

I've been thinking of you & hoping you were doing Ok.

[supergolden88]

No did not see that - not sure it would have helped. Hoping I can avoid the surgery route as the success rate of these surgeries is quite low and sometimes they end up causing the very problems they try to fix! Cannot believe medical science has such limited options for such a common problem (although not many women seek help for it so it is estimated that actual numbers are much higher).

It is a very complex issue though - and the title of the thread is very misleading. Although my GP referred to it as vaginal prolapse 'pelvic organ prolapse' is much more accurate.

[Audrey]

Supergolden deserves huge credit and respect for bringing this out into the open and for wanting to raise awareness.

I have also recently discovered a slight prolapse. GP diagnosis and awaiting referral. Seems to be improving slightly following doing the PFE like a deamon!

But what I wanted to say was that Supergolden is right, this is hugely swept under the carpet, which can make a diagnosis truly terrifying. I always thought it only happens in really extreme cases, and I couldn't believe how common it is.

Well done you and very best of luck with your appt. Xx

[intexasatthe moment]

Supergolden ,try and keep strong - this is horrible I know but so common and so fixable .

And we're lucky being near Kings and the fantastic Mr Bidmead .

Where did you get the information that the success rate for surgery is low ?

( my own repairs have been succesful ,tho may be different from yours )

There's a lot on mumsnet health section about repairs ,this thread for example

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/777985-Continued-support-for-SPHINCTER-INJURIES-FISTULAE-and-other-CHILDBIRTH-INJURIES?pg=37

Good luck .

[clairelouise]

I have been thru a prolapse and managed to recover by using an Athena pelvic muscle trainer which is an electronic toner, hence you need to get doctors advice when you can use it after birth and if it will help your specific situation.

Good luck

[supergolden88]

Resurrecting thread to note that after urodynamics test and internal exam I have been diagnosed with mild prolapse of bladder/bowel and womb. Physical therapy is the next step and I have booked a private physio appointment next week (the NHS one is not till July).

I have been through the 5 stages of grief - and after a lot of denial, anger and depression I have finally reached acceptance. I have bought myself a Kegel8 (similar to Athena I think) and am trying to do the Hab-it DVD when life allows. Trying to figure out what types of exercise are acceptable.

To all who have been in touch through this forum I hope you are doing well. Thanks for the many messages and advise.

[Smiler]

Supergolden, really hope the physio etc helps, feel for you.

who'd be a woman eh?