Talk to me about prolapses.

[PumpkinZulu]

So firstly yes, I'll be going to my GP as soon as I can, but she's booked out for the week and I don't really want a stranger all up in my business lol.

I'm starting to worry I have something prolapsing. I really don't know what; bowel, bladder, vaginal...I don't know. All I know is over the last month or so it's become increasingly hard to urinate (as in, the wee doesn't come out without a lot of concentration) and also to empty my bowels. I feel like I've never completely emptied them if that makes sense, and it's very hard to actually pass anything. I'm not actually constipated, nothing is hard, all normal texture (ew sorry haha). The last maybe week as well, I've had what I thought were endo related symptoms, cramping, lots of wind, abdo pain, back pain...but now I'm wondering if it's something else as AF hasn't shown. I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences or have had a type of pelvic prolapse and can share their experiences. I've had a feel up there and tbh things have changed so much since having two babies in quick succession that I'm not sure what exactly is different up there lol.

[Rouge]

It could a UTI. My gf had the same symptoms as you and no "sharp stabbing" associated with uti's. Apparently the pain common with uti's is specific to what is causing it. Other causes have other symptoms.

[Catastrophic]

Oh hun, I know you said you don't want to go to another GP but can I pretty please advice you to get this seen sooner rather then later - the longer you leave things the worse they can come.

[Katters]

I have a prolapse, not diagnosed yet, was thinking about it earlier actually. I did an internal and noticed it (when I really 'had to go'. It's pretty obvious if you have a vaginal check. It's also a fairly simple procedure to have repaired. It doesn't bother me enough right now to be running to doctors although it is annoying going to loo twice or 3 times, instead of once, because you're 'not finished'!

[Katters]

God really catastrophic? Well I didn't know they get worse- mine is from childbirth. Maybe I will bring it up at next appointment. Such a shame that I went to GP yesterday!

[jellybean88]

TMI- I have a rectocele prolapse and find I have problems getting poo out and still feel like I'm not finished and it doesn't join into a poo shape but come out lots of little bitsim hoping it improves after all the pregnancy /bf hormones are out of my system I have been seeing a physio but its a loosing battle having a baby sitting on it all getting bigger but I hear doing pelvic floor exercises is better long term than getting it surgically repaired
It's quite obvious I can feel it inside my vagina and you can see it in the opening of my vagina

[Frangipani Lou]

There are specialist physios who treat this type of issue. Your GP can point you in the right direction.

[NicNac]

I don't have one but do see a physio specifically for pelvic floor checks following a bad tear.
My physio tells me 70% of women have a prolapse of some sort at some time in their lives so don't feel alone...... and better to get it seen to sooner rather than later as it is a harder road back to full health if you leave it.

[HotI]

as it is a harder road back to full health if you leave it.

what does that mean?

[NicNac]

There are varying degrees of prolapses and they can get worse over time. Non surgical treatment can be used if they aren't too bad......

[Saffy]

i have an anterior prolapse ( the front or top wall) where the bladder falls into the vagina- i diagnosed myself before my 6 wk check with obstetrician and have since seen a physio who specialises in pelvic floor. I could 'see' it with a hand mirror when I stood up and felt the pressure when lifting heavy things, but my toilet habits aren't a problem. Mine is stage 2 apparently. My obstetrician gave me a course of oestrogen pessaries to use at night, I have just finished them, and it feels a bit better. The physio said they can't 'fix' itwith pelvic floor exercisies but it helps the symptoms. my obs said if things don't improve symptom wise in a couple of months she can giv me a 'pessary ring' which you put in and take out as required and it holds everything in place, but to be honest I feel like I can manage. Apparently breastfeeding makes it worse becasue of the lack of oestrogen which weakens the vaginal walls, once you stop bfing things improve as well as improving over time anyway.

Just about all my frineds who have had kids have had some degree of prolapse also, so its fairly common.

Also, my obs said if I get a surgical repair, I would need a caesear next time ( not that I am planning a next time) but I would not want a caesear and she wouldn't want ot give me one, then she said it all falls down again when you go through menopause- not that you are anywhere near it PZ, but I am- so you have to get it repaired again

[megs]

PZ, I have a strong feeling I have a prolapse. In fact I'm fairly certain. My 2nd child was 4kg posterior and crown with his had facing my thigh, I didn't have a tear but I know he did a bit of damange and streching. I then went on to have 2 more children, with my last little man also being 4kg.

I try to do my Pelvic floor exercises but I honestly think that I need help. I am due for a Pap smear this year so I think I will get the Dr to do a check whilst they are up their and see how bad it is. My symptoms are hard to describe, and I think it is different depending on where I am in my cycle. But I have like a stress incontinence, if I feel the urge I need to go suddenly, but their really isn't much to wee. Also sometimes I'll be finished but get up to wipe and their will be a little bit more.

This would be my only downside to childbirth.

[Olive]

I had a prolapse, I had it surgically repaired, I've got a thread in platinum

[trishalishous]

I had a mild bladder prolapse after my son, and it felt like I had a tampon inserted incorrectly. It corrected through physio.

[BellyBelly]

There was an osteo who worked in the BB centre who did her masters on post natal pelvic floor/prolapse stuff, she would be of great help for you. Her name is Kristen Manallack. If you call her let her know Kelly from BB recommended her. If there is any way you can avoid surgery its a great option, unless it is serious enough to be needed of course.

[blackduckies]

Hi girls, I have just found out today that I have a bladder prolapse. 5 babies, and a lot of MC & early menopause have taken there toll, all the things that no-one tells you about!!!

I have suspected it since my last pregnancy but have had a series of doctors tell me that everything is okay?? I have been going through an early menopause, early & fast it seems!! and since March I have had 3 serious UTI's, after the 1st UTI I had a strange sensation in my pelvic area and clitoris like the start of a UTI , this varies across the day sometimes it eases up to hardly anything then it can be quite strong, more urgency to wee but am drinking gallons of water as well, but have been persistent with the doctors finding they seem to think my anxiety was making me imagine symptoms that are'nt really there..until today when i finally got a physical exam.

My symptoms include fullness heaviness in the vaginal area stinging sensation, burning sensation in the urethra area, slightly painful sex, repeat UTI's, pain in the lower abdomen & back pain mostly lower often one side, but can often then develop into lower back pain band.
I am booked to see a gyno in July and wish the wait was much shorter,(anyyone know how long is too long to wait for treatment, without making it loads worse?) I am guessing due to lack of hormones that the first thing that happens is I will start on estrogen? wondering if anyone can advise me if I also need to see a urologist? I am 2 hours from Melbourne anyone have any recomendations on someone good? I feel like a bit of a failure as a woman, it is making me lose my carefree self and replacing me with someone who is depressed and anxious & my /our sex life is taking a back seat as well, mainly because of the repeat UTI's. Thanks and good luck to everyone.

[Frangipani Lou]

I know what you mean about feeling like a failure BD. your pelvic floor has done a wonderful job in supporting your babies as they grow inside you and it can take its toll on your body. I've had 1 baby and I have a bladder and bowel prolapse. They both bulge into my vaginal cavity. And I'm only 40. It's treatable. I'm seeing a continence physio who put together a plan if exercises that I do 3 times a day. If it was more severe, surgery to lift everything up would have been an option.
Did the GP tell you what the purpose of seeing a gyno was? Perhaps further assessment before making a plan of action?

[Olive]

Have pm'd you