Pelvic prolapse symptoms

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 🙏

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Thanks for the information

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

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?

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.

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!

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!

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.

My symptoms were of having a feeling of something hanging which was diagnosed as a prolapsed bladder, discomfort below when walking, sitting, doing normal day to day stuff and some incontinence. Mine was quite bad as it looked like I was about to give birth as the prolapse was visible. It would gradually feel worse and more uncomfortable by the end of the day so I would tend to go easy on alternate days. I've just had a pessary ring fitted and I can honestly say that it's given back my life. I don't feel the ring, I know it doesn't cure it but it's enabled me to get back to being able to do things which have been taking far longer to do before. Today, I've been gardening all afternoon whereas before I'd only manage half an hour max. I too now sit bending forward after a wee which then helps to empty my bladder further. I put off getting a diagnosis for too long through fear of what might happen but the nurse was great and she'd fitted the ring before I even realised.

pably15

Saxifrage, I have the same symptoms, if I feel the need I have to go immediately. I take a water tablet every morning and wow they work...if I have somewhere to go certain days, I miss the water pill...don't take it till I come home.

I take my pill last thing at night. Works for me

Thank you Lizzieddrip and Petra I will google.

LizzieDrip

HelterSkelter1

Please can I have the name of the poop stool some of you have used. It sounds useful. Thank you

If you google ‘poop stool’ or ‘toilet stool’ lots will come up. Or you could go onto Amazon and search ‘poop stool’, similarly Argos.

I just bought a very basic white one from Amazon but it depends what might suit your bathroom.

Here’s a link to the poop stool on the kegel site:
www.kegel8.co.uk/products/go-better-toilet-squat-stool

There are also videos about the benefits of a poop stool on YouTube.

I’ve used a stool for some years. The position it puts your pelvis in makes perfect sense.
It’s the way people in the far east have always deficated.

HelterSkelter1

Please can I have the name of the poop stool some of you have used. It sounds useful. Thank you

If you google ‘poop stool’ or ‘toilet stool’ lots will come up. Or you could go onto Amazon and search ‘poop stool’, similarly Argos.

I just bought a very basic white one from Amazon but it depends what might suit your bathroom.

Here’s a link to the poop stool on the kegel site:
www.kegel8.co.uk/products/go-better-toilet-squat-stool

There are also videos about the benefits of a poop stool on YouTube.

My bladder, bowel and uterus prolapse started with a severe pain on my lower right side - so much so that I originally thought it was a hernia or a grumbling appendicitis. I was one of the women fitted with mesh in 2010 and I have had no problems at all. About 3 years ago I started having urgency to go or I would wet myself. I was also having frequent UTIs and soreness. I am now taking Mirabegron for the urgency and Vagifem suppositories for the soreness. I now have my life back.
I did hear about ring pessaries but as my son was 11lb at birth I wouldn’t have been able to keep anything in!

I had a bladder prolapse about 25yrs ago and opted for the mesh to be inserted. I had it done privately as I had private health care through my job. It has been wonderful for me although I know many people have had awful problems with it. However at the time I was also advised when taking a wee to sit forward resting my elbows on my knees, apparently it forces more urine out so your bladder is completely empty and therefore you’re less likely to get UTI’s. It seems to work for me.

I had lots of uti’s in the past and was referred to a continence nurse, she explained that with low oestrogen levels after the menopause it can cause uti’s and suggested I use an oestrogen cream or pessary . I too have had a ring pessary for 20 years, was measured by a gynaecologist at local hospital but as I refused a “mesh” operation she referred me back to my gp to have it fitted by a doctor. Have it changed every six months by my gp . I also have Vagifem oestrogen tablets in a syringe type applicator similar to a tampon ti be used twice weekly. No problems since then 🤞🤞🤞

Please can I have the name of the poop stool some of you have used. It sounds useful. Thank you

I had a rectocele and surgery was advised. It worked, I feel so much better and apart from a little soreness was fine quite quickly.

moth62 yes , frequent uni's. I've found they have greatly reduced since using topical oestrogen . My GP also prescribes me a supply of nitrofurantoin to keep so I can treat it as soon as the symptoms start but the oestrogen has definitely helped in this department .

Hi, I have had a vaginal prolapse for 5 years and it’s managed very successfully with a pessary. You just need to find the right size. I manage my own for taking out and washing and have checks twice a year with dr. I’m 80 just for reference. I don’t know it’s there. Good luck