Pelvic prolapse symptoms

Try and find a physiotherapist who specialises in female issues and pelvic floor rehabilitation.
Modern equipment is used to assess the strength and problems with the muscles etc. and the practitioner can provide targeted exercises and advice.
The NHS does have these physios but if there are none in your area then it's worth going privately if you can. If the problem is caught in time the treatment definitely helps.
It made a huge difference to me.

I used to be a nurse in a gynecology clinic. I have seen many prolapses in my role assisting the consultants. Back then the doctors fitted ring or shelf pessaries and estrogen cream. I was talking to my friend who recently experienced a prolapse and she said she was given something called a cube which she puts in her in the morning and takes it out at night. As for myself I had a hysterectomy which resulted in several anterior and posterior prolapses. Also a prolapse of the vaginal vault for which I had to have abdominal surgery where a mesh was sew to the top of the vagina and the sacral bone to act as a ligament an finally one more posterior repair. After the hysterectomy I went into early menopause and went onto HRT patches which I am still using now. As previous posters have said it is important not to get constipated as the bowel can press on the bladder if you no longer have a uterus. I described my prolapse as a satsuma between my legs but the best description was a hard boiled egg with out the shell on!

I second that Cardriver. I had a bladder prolapse followed by a rectal prolapse. All the NHS could provide at first was a group meeting followed by a one to one in which pelvic floor exercises were explained plus the other options like pessaries and surgery. I didn’t fancy the latter two and found a private physio specialising in women’s health issues.
Result.. the bladder prolapse has gone and the rectal nearly there. But it took months of the exercises before results really showed. My GP told me most women give up the exercises after a few weeks, I’m not surprised, so would I if I hadn’t gone private. Her advice and support has kept me going mentally and physically. Worth every penny but there have been a lot of them!

SilverLady. I have had the same op but fortunately it has been
(Fingers crossed) ok. It was the second op I‘ve had for a prolapse, post, like you hysterectomy. Mine was all done epidural for want of proper title and I was awake all the time.
I have been very lucky with the surgeon, a young woman.

Hi ladies,

Sorry to bother you but following up with prolapse experiences… may I ask if any of you had or know of the term of Hypertonic pelvic floor?

My symptoms appear to be related to tight pelvic floor. I’m concerned it also means weak muscles & how do we relax them & if reversed and relaxed would that then cause prolapse issues?

FlorenceB19

Hi ladies,

Sorry to bother you but following up with prolapse experiences… may I ask if any of you had or know of the term of Hypertonic pelvic floor?

My symptoms appear to be related to tight pelvic floor. I’m concerned it also means weak muscles & how do we relax them & if reversed and relaxed would that then cause prolapse issues?

I too have hypertonic pelvic floor muscles. In my case it causes bowel dysfunction and pain. I really recommend you find a pelvic floor physiotherapist who will be able to confirm diagnosis and explain suitable exercises. They are sometimes called "women's health physios".
I get cross that so much emphasis is put on women doing traditional pelvic floor strengthening exercises without explaining that it is just as important to be able to relax the muscles

Thanks for the information

eddiecat78

I 100% agree.

I will google your suggestions, yet no doubt treatment will involve private fee’s that are totally unaffordable & leave me & many others back to square one.

Regarding the hypertonic pelvic floor, I’m led to believe we need to learn to relax it before we can aim to strengthen it.

Personally, I’m not in control of my muscle spasms & even using dilitazem cream & GTN Ointments my muscles continue to contract, not only my pelvic floor but my thigh & glutes which has resulted in horrific anal fissures, thrombosed haemorrhoids, hip bursitis and gluteal tendinitis. My world has gotten smaller & I'm totally closed in (unfit for work for 5 months) and my mood is pretty low, while waiting for some sign of improvement. It’s been over 6 months of debilitating pain & I find the medical professionals don’t look at trying to find the root cause. Feeling very sorry for myself 🥺😫☹️ as I’m also pending a surgical date to remove an ovary with a Dermoid cyst. Unsure if it’s related 🤷🏽‍♀️ but it’s all within my pelvic cavity.

I was offered physiotherapy,, but I found sneeze 10 times fast, and hold sqeeze for 3 times for 5 seconds 4 times a day standing with legs slightly apart, is a effective way without worrying about it

LizzieDrip

Have you tried using a ‘poop stool’? You put your feet on it when having a bowel movement and it helps everything move along, IYKWIM.

Apparently it puts the colon in the perfect position for pooing without putting pressure on the pelvic floor.

I’d read about them and was sceptical but thought I’d give it a go; quite cheap on Amazon - really works for me.

Definitely agree with this. I have IBS and poop stool has been my constipation fixer together with fibre eaten regularly throughout the day and lots of water. I got my knickers in a right twist over the summer using all sorts of alternative laxatives etc when for me the answer became so straightforward.

There are a lot of Facebook groups giving support and advice for prolapse, including hypertonic pf. Worth having a look at.
Good luck.

Following with interest.
Has anyone tried the “red light therapy” thing that keeps popping up in my advertisements? Is it really any good? It would be expensive for me to, but not impossible- but I have tried several gadgets over the years (weights, muscle stimulation “pelvitone ” etc) although none for the last 10 or so years. I did the keggles religiously for years without success (excellent antinatal and postnatal physios confirmed that I was doing them well but offered nothing further )
After a few near misses, narrowly avoided embarrassing situations and increasing bills for ever bigger pads I’m getting desperate.

This all sounds so familiar as I’ve been going through this for many years! I’ve gone through surgery more than once and I pray never again especially at my age (87). My main concern right now is the difficulty of having a bowel movement most days…it’s such a drudgery but we do what we have to do to try and keep going!
I’m so thankful to have found this forum, and realize I’m not alone in this after all 🙏