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[Sarah48]

Hi Ladies,

I am 4 weeks into starting HRT, having good and bad days 😕.  I have just found out that prolapse can occur during the menopause, due to drop in Estrogen levels.. YAY 🙄.. yet another issue!   I have had mild symptoms of prolapse for over a year, but more recently, and probably bought on by having a chest infection,  i can feel a definite change.. I can also see a bulge   .       Going to make another call to my GP( seems to be weekly!) but has anyone else had/got this problem? Interested to know what advice you have been given.   It honestly feels like my body is falling apart! Xx

[Minusminnie]

You will need to be checked out to see what exactly has prolapsed by how much and then weigh up/follow GP advice as to what to do next.

In general advice is to avoid straining with constipation i eat figs and dates with yoghurt and cereal every morning.  Avoid heavy lifting (especially lumpy grandchildren !) I've found lifting up from the floor is worse than lifting something down, keep your weight under control so not too much around the pelvis (easier said than done). Coughing with your chest infection wouldn't have helped but that is unavoidable if you pick up an infection. 

















 

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Minusminnie x

I had just gone back to gym which may also have made it worse ☹️.. we were doing deadlifts which is probably the worse one!   I do suffer with constipation too so definitely need to sort that out.  Hopefully I can see my GP,  seem to be fobbed off with telephone conversations with the nurse.  My HRT was prescribed over the phone in under 5 minutes.   Was pretty much told to go and read online.

[Haydo]

I would agree with everything that Minusminnie has said.  You definitely need to insist that you’re examined so that you know what degree/type of prolapse you have.  My best advice then, if you can, would be to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist.  I paid £60 to see a private one (just the once) and the advice she gave me has really helped me.

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Haydo x

I did consider paying to see someone, there is a lady at The Nuffield who specialises in lady’s health.   Did the person you see also do a physical examination?   I have like a dragging sensation.  I have noticed for a while that tampons are never comfortable anymore.
Few phone calls to make tomorrow x

[Haydo]

Yes she did give me a physical examination, and also made sure I was relaxing my pelvic floor whilst she examined me, which evidently I wasn’t doing before.  Doing Kegels manically is not always the best thing!  She was extremely helpful.  I have also found very helpful the Femfusion (Dr Bri) videos on YouTube.  Lots of information, exercises and advice regarding prolapses. 

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Haydo 😊
Will watch the videos .. never expected to have all these symptoms.. wish I was a man! X

[Dierdre]

I had a prolapse caused by lack of oestrogen. Local oestrogen and phsyiotherpy corrected it. Yoga is good too.

[Kathleen]

Hello Sarah 48 and welcome to the forum.

My neighbour had a prolapse and had a ring inserted by a nurse at the hospital. Apparently this proved too small so she now has a larger one which is working well. She too has been told to avoid becoming constipated.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

K.

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Kathleen & Deirdre x

I’m pleased to hear their are options.. I will start with my GP and also look to see a specialist.  Feels like information overload at the moment!  Honestly thought going on HRT would solve everything within 24 hours 😂.. so much more complex xx

[Taz2]

Hi Sarah48 Please don't do anymore lifting at the gym at least until you have found out what has prolapsed. I had a prolapsed bladder (cystocele) followed by a prolapsed uterus leading to a hysterectomy and bladder repair. Lifting puts tremendous strain on your already stretched tissues. You do need to be referred to a gynae for proper assessment  and then a tailored programme of kegels will be worked out for you. The ring pessary can work well for some but you should still try not to out too much strain on the pelvic floor. HRT is essential in my experience.

This might help explain things https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pelvic-organ-prolapse/#:~:text=Pelvic%20organ%20prolapse%20is%20when,can%20cause%20pain%20and%20discomfort.

Taz x   

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Taz2 x

You have been through so much.. how is everything now?

I do find I have days where I keep thinking I need a wee, it seems to come and go.  I have messaged my GP and asked to see someone face to face. 

I’m also not sure if HRT is helping or making me feel worse 😕.. I seem to feel quite edgy but will keep going as only a few weeks in.

Xx

[Louise2010]

Yes I had one. I would suggest you are really assertive with doctors about this. In my experience they send you for tests & examinations and then grade you on how severe the prolapse is. If it’s not considered in their grading system too bad then you’ll be sent away with physio sessions that teach you how to do pelvic floor exercises.
That was in 2015 so it may have changed now.

[Taz2]

Thankyou Taz2 x

You have been through so much.. how is everything now?

Xx

Thanks Sarah. I'm ok but have to work hard to keep the pelvic floor strong as hysterectomy (especially for prolapse) weakens the pelvic floor still further and can lead to other prolapses. My bladder prolapse has returned though not as bad as it was before. This is also to be expected as the repairs often only last for five years. My gynae says that repeated surgeries are less successful each time and as long as I stay on full HRT (just try to take that away from me!!) plus vaginal oestrogen and keep up my pelvic floor exercises every day then I should be able to stop it worsening. I am under the care of a specialist pelvic nurse who is lovely. She also recommended YES OB as a moisturiser (not just for sexual use) as this helps keep things healthy. She says that every time I put moisturiser on my face also put some YES down below. I think she had to dust off the cobwebs when she examined me 

Which HRT are you on?

[Sarah48]

Thankyou Louise 😊..  I am going to pay to go and see a specialist I think .. still waiting for GP to get back to me but as you say will probably just be fobbed off 🙄.   Are you okay now?