Gransnet forums

Health

Prolapse

(21 Posts)
lostmyspecs Mon 28-Jan-19 07:24:15

I have been diagnosed with prolapse of the uterus and vaginal atrophy (dryness) and, having coped with the discomfort of these conditions for about two years now, have decided to seek medical help. My GP has recommended insertion of an oestrogen-releasing ring pessary and this is to be done by her in a week's time. It will require to be renewed three-monthly. Anyone on GN have experience of this and, if so, did it help? Thanks.

Sunnysideup Tue 29-Jan-19 10:43:32

Hi there, haven't had the experience of this but just wanted to sympathise and hope that the treatment brings relief. I'm sure it will, certainly with the VA which is so painful. I've been helped greatly with an HRT patch which has relieved so many symptoms so I'm sure the treatment you're being offered will ease your symptoms. Hopefully someone will be along who has had it.

HildaW Tue 29-Jan-19 12:26:14

I have the non medicated silicone version of this. Its renewed every 6 months and has been a revelation. I went from not being able to do a dog walk or even hoover properly to totally forgetting I have a prolapse. Hope all goes well for you I have had no problems and its been wonderful for me.

Willow500 Tue 29-Jan-19 12:31:03

My mum had this and had the same as Hilda in her later years. She felt much better with it.

EllanVannin Tue 29-Jan-19 13:04:46

I personally haven't had such a procedure but can say that it had proved successful in lots of women who had this fitted. I worked in a gynae clinic years ago and there were many of these procedures carried out in the mid to late 90's.

lostmyspecs Tue 29-Jan-19 13:52:01

Thank you all so much for getting back to me. Your comments have all been encouraging and I will keep you posted on the outcome of the procedure. I am trying to stay positive about this uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, condition and your encouraging comments have helped.

Teetime Tue 29-Jan-19 13:53:46

My experience is of putting ring pessaries in as a District Nurse. It is a little uncomfortable I'm told by the patients but does bring relief and reassurance.

HildaW Tue 29-Jan-19 14:04:10

Putting it in is absolutely fine....honestly no more uncomfortable that someone putting in a tampon. The removing of the old one....with me its been in for 6 months... is a little bit more of a sensation. But that's all it is.....a bit more noticeable than the insertion....but absolutely nothing to worry about.

HildaW Tue 29-Jan-19 14:05:45

And once again....once its in...and 'settled' .... no more than a couple of days ...its so liberating. I was soon forgetting that I had a problem.

Grammaretto Tue 29-Jan-19 14:58:06

Good luck with that. I had a hysterectomy after several years of discomfort from a prolapse.
It cured the problem! although I do still have to to pelvic floor exercises .

lostmyspecs Tue 29-Jan-19 15:24:47

HildaW, I did have a painful experience two years ago with attempted insertion of ring pessary and this was attributed to VA. I have been using Vagifem since that time but without much real improvement. So I am really hoping that this proposed treatment will help. Grammaretto, sorry to hear you eventually required hysterectomy but hope you feel more comfortable now. I am nervous about the procedure but am more than happy to give it a go. Thanks again.

lizkaz1 Tue 29-Jan-19 16:03:07

I had a hysterectomy 12 years ago and now have a vaginal prolapse which is causing problems. I didnt fancy any of the inserts so I’m opting for surgery. Has anyone else had surgery for a prolapse.?

lostmyspecs Tue 29-Jan-19 16:38:58

So sorry to hear that you need more surgery and hope it goes well.

David1968 Tue 29-Jan-19 16:59:27

Four years ago I had surgery for a rectocele. (I'm a woman, despite the user name!) So glad I did: it hasn't been a problem since. Not wanting to wait for NHS appointment, (we had "the holiday of a lifetime" already booked) I went private. I was in hospital for two nights, then was looked-after at home by DH. Soon back into normal life - and had a wonderful holiday. (I've been doing my pelvic floor exercises, ever since! )

lostmyspecs Tue 29-Jan-19 18:33:13

Glad to hear you had such a good result and have considered private treatment myself but will give the NHS a chance for the moment and see how it goes. Thank you for sharing your experience, it's good to hear you had such a positive outcome. Hadn't heard of rectocele but have now checked it out online, very interesting information. I guess three vaginal births (very large babies!) in the 60s, have not left my body unscathed! Thank you for your post.

Peony54 Tue 25-Jun-19 13:11:56

Hi there I saw your post from January about rectocele repair. I about to have same thing done and I wondered if you had found improvement with bowel movement or perhaps this wasn’t a problem for you? I have heard lots of mixed reports about this, would really appreciate any advice or comment you could provide.

Merelina Fri 05-Jul-19 09:30:36

Hi lizkazl. I have just had an op for vaginal prolapse - on Monday. I am home after two days in hospital lolling about watching Wimbledon. All went well and I just have to take it easy. Some pain as if I have bruised the base of my spine. My op was. Sacrospinous fixation. After living with my prolapse for far to long the future seems rosy. I will post on other thread later, it’s early days but so far so good.

Davida1968 Fri 05-Jul-19 10:55:44

Hi Peony54, I've just seen your query. No, I have no bowel problems but I do eat a lot of fibre!! (When in the private hospital to have the op, I also chose the most high fibre items I could, from the menu.) I hope that's helpful. (I recently changed my user name to "davida" to make it clear that I am a grandma.)

GrandmaKT Fri 05-Jul-19 11:02:32

I have a prolapse uterus and have discussed a ring pessary with my GP. She told me that it is not suitable for ladies who are still sexually active. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

Jane43 Fri 05-Jul-19 21:10:46

GrandmaKT a ring pessary is suitable if you are sexually active however if it is uncomfortable for you or your partner your GP can show you how to take it out and insert it so that you can remove it before sexual activity. Other types of pessaries are not suitable for a sexually active woman but a ring pessary is. If you Google types of pessary you will see that what am have said is correct.

Jane43 Fri 05-Jul-19 21:11:49

Should be ‘I have said’ not ‘am have said’.