Vaginal bulge and its treatment

Not breast cancer 'use' but breast cancer 'risk'!!
Anyone else found that you need to read and reread posts these days because of AI corrections within autocorrect.
Makes me so cross.

I have a posterior prolapse (rectocele), it was diagnosed last spring. I was having a lot of urge incontinence which has reduced since I've been doing regular kegal exercises and using an electronic pelvic floor exerciser. I also did a lot of online research and learned that you need to consider not just the pelvic floor itself but the surrounding muscles such as glutes and hips so yoga and pilates will help as well. The depressing thing is that you do have to keep doing the exercises or urge incontinence etc returns.
I have been using the Estriol cream which I was given when the rectocele was diagnosed. I'm supposed to use it every 4 days which I imagine is the 'normal' dosage but I recently had a panic because I got sore breasts.
The GP assured me that the cream can't access the rest of the body (because it isn't ingested but applied topically) but I find this hard to totally believe and I have found limited posts online suggesting there may be increased breast cancer use as a result of using Estriol, eg bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/3/1/e000753

If anyone else has any concerns about Estriol, I've be really pleased to hear. Thanks. I wouldn't at the moment consider surgery because of all the problems with mesh operations in the past.

Thank you. I had a hysterectomy 7 years ago and when seeing a consultant when my 'bulge' first appeared he asked why it wasn't addressed at the time. I will get as much info as I can and I would like to avoid surgery if I can as do not want a mesh of any sort. Like some of you I notice things when I haven't been to the toilet (No.2's) as regularly as I should, and especially over the festive period when eating so much rubbish lol. Im thinking a pessary may be a good option. Thank you all once again

I had a hysterectomy at 40 years old but after ten years the prolapse began returning. I refused an operation and had a ring pessary fitted two years ago which is working well. It is replaced by my Doctor twice a year. Once you have the right size you don’t notice it at all. Worth a try.

I have a posterior prolapse (rectocele). It mainly bothers me when I get constipated and need to splint when pooing. I tried a ring pessary last year but it didn’t work although I’ve read it’s worth trying different types. I manage by using Estriol regularly, trying not to get constipated, and doing pelvic floor exercises (when I remember!). As another poster has mentioned, there are a number of Facebook groups so worth investigating. I’m not considering surgery at the moment…

I had a partial hysterectomy (kept my ovaries) about 15 years ago for a severe prolapse, at the same time I had a posterior repair, didn’t know anything about that before hand. Recovery was fine and things returned to normal, I have now developed vault, anterior and another posterior prolapse which apparently is very common after hysterectomy. I was offered a ring pessary which didn’t work but saw a female health physio privately who fitted a different type which works well. I have been offered surgery but it would mean re-attaching the vault to sacrospinous ligaments, as I already have a major back problem I didn’t like the thought of making it worse for a surgery that carries a high failure rate. Do you research, ask all the questions you can and if the first pessary doesn’t work there are many others that can be tried, if you’d prefer to avoid surgery. Good luck with your appointment!

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Download the Squeezy app to help you remember to do the pelvic floor exercises.
There are different pessaries, in different shapes and sizes.
The oestrogen gel should be used regularly, not just when you are dry, ridiculous of your care provider to not be more specific.
Pay to see a private gynae physio, if you can.
Do not agree to surgery unless it’s the last resort. From your post, you have a long way to go before you should be considering this.
There are Facebook groups which you may find useful.

Apologies for the late reply - for some unknown reason I forget to read this thread. I had a pessary fitted last year and it's literally changed my life. No more very gingerly bending down, getting up etc. I had the option of a pessary or a referral to a gyno but decided to try the pessary first. I was offered surgery over 15yrs ago and declined due to reading about side effects but that was my personal choice. Since read that they no longer do the op as routine except for serious prolapses because of the problems the mesh causes and which has left some with major disabilities. There is info to be found on the net but having said that I have a relative and a friend who had the mesh fitted a few years ago with no problems. Think you should get as much info from the consultant as possible so you're fully informed to make any decision about your treatment and what suits you. I wish you well.

I had a prolapse, damaged after giving birth to a 10 baby (facing the wrong way) by forceps.
My gynaecologist warned me vaginal excercises would make no difference in my case, I insisted on trying them but he was right. I gave in and had surgery.
(GA, and a week in hospital after). No pain after surgery Then for around 6 weeks I had to avoid strenuous excercise and lifting anything heavier than a kettle.

Well worth it to get everything fixed.

Flakesdayout, I have no experience of this but can ' feel' your anxiety! Good luck with your imminent appointment, my only suggestion is that you write down any questions you may have when you attend your appointment- and don't be afraid to ask them . Hope you have someone who can go with you to offer support.
Hopefully someone with experience of this will post soon and offer reassurance.
Think positively and I wish you well.

Thank you Horatia. You were the only one to reply so thank you. I was very surprised that no one else bothered or could even give any message as I am really unsure of what to expect.

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Hope you can find a solution to suit you. I had something similar, but I was lucky that somehow I managed to get on eventually with the pessary and think it's amazing now.