DESPERATELY NEEDING ADVICE ON BLADDER PROLAPSE

Women's health
1

Hi. I am DESPERATE!  I need advice on pros & cons of treatments to manage a female bladder prolapse, preferably without surgery. I have been considering a Pessary Ring but would like to hear from other users about their experiences. 

Can you feel it after it has been fitted?

Has anyone ever accidentally pushed one out?

If so, under what circumstances?

Does anyone have experience of long term use?

Has anyone had any adverse reactions?

Has anyone had any treatment abroad?

Has anyone had any experience of Kegel8 pelvic muscle exercisers?

Does anyone out there have an alternative solution?

2

Firstly please try not to be worried or anxious. I always mention this (Alan the Moderator has asked that I signpost ladies to the information) but on the Genitourinary home page there's a section Useful Resources. Take a look at that because it will answer a lot of your questions. Other ladies will respond because I haven't used a pessary although I know of patients who have. Your alternative solution though is surgery.

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Hi. I wore a ring pessary for around three years. The first few weeks was hit and miss for me in trying to get a good fit. My first one kept falling out when I had a bowel motion and I went quickly back to clinic. Three size changes later I was coping better. I YouTubed how to remove and clean it myself as was having periods still back then. After having a vaginal ulcer and not able to wear pessary decided on a anterior repair surgery. That was a year ago.

4

Do you just have a bladder prolapse and not a uterus prolapse? Well I have both but have been fitted for a peasary.and thought

That the pessaries were for Uterus prolapse and incintenimce not bladder prolapse??

I have not found one that fits right. Maybe because if my prolapse being a stage 3. At first the peasant would fall out when had a bowl

Did not really feel

Pessary but became uncomfortable. So it that happens you will probably Need to be refitted

5

You can get fitted for a pessary for any prolapse. 

6

Before my op I had a oessary in for almost a yr. I couldn't feel it and never had any issues of it falling out. Hubby said he could feel it during sex but it didn't bother him.

Cons for me were that I produced way too much discharge which I was told can happen. Also it got in the way of me having bowel movements and I was having a lot of problems to start with so I ended up have the surgery.

My consultant told me it isn't a cure for your prolapse. The pessary just acts like scaffolding inside you.

Also pelvic floor exercises didn't improve my prolapsed enough.

Hope this helps. X

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What kind of peasant did you have

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Hi there, I did have a pessary fitted for bowel, bladder and uterus prolapse.    I thought it was good and never really felt it, and definitely did not want an operation!  I felt so normal as well so thought I had cracked it.    However, it did feel so uncomfortable one day and caused pain so I took it out and left it out.         One thing I did notice was that if I needed a wee it would leak so I had to be quick with going to the loo.        I am now almost 4 months post op and personally feel very pleased I had the op.    Never have a leak problem like the pessary gave me.              Don't be frightened of a pessary and don't be frightened of the op whichever one you go for in the end.  😊    

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Hi I recommend having the pessary ring. I had mine in for about 6 years. Im now 4 months post op for repairs posterior, anterior and perineum . The ring did a great job for a long time. Once inserted properly I couldn't even feel it. It was only because of problems especially with my bowel prolapsing (rectocele) and I became grade 3 that I wanted the operation to resume a normal life. Try not to be frightened you will be ok. Its a bit of a long journey but stay on this wonderful forum and read up as you will find you are only one of many whom experience this happening. ​

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I am now wearing my 7th pessary and so far it is fine. There are many different kinds and it is a case of trying a few before you find one that is comfortable. My first one fell out the day after it had been fitted and others have been painful. One became uncomfortable and caused a little bleeding. But like you I am trying to avoid an operation so will continue with the pessaries. I have had physio and now do pelvic floor exercises. Oh and all pessaries have been fitted by the doctor.

Hope this helps. The doctors at the hospital have been very supportive and have seen me at short notice when needed.

Hope all goes well

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It is worth giving the pessary a try, it may work for you if you don't want to go down the operation route.

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Hi carol i was wondering what kind if symptooms you had from the uterus bladder and rectum prolapse?

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Hi what kind of oessarybdi you use?

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Pessary good if you are shown how to insert &remove it yourself for when you need it eg before exercising. I have managed mine for months with no side effects. Probably better than leaving it in for long periods.

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Hi golfergirl, thats interesting what you have said about removing it. I dont understand why you would want to. I guess different countries have diferent ways. Pretty much here in New Zealand we put them in and apart from removal for cleaning them they stay in. Best wishes Kath

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I think it depends on the individual. At age 74 lining of vagina not what it was when I was 34! Constant pressure from pessary can cause erosion etc so I find self-management works fine for me. I found a great urogyny who instructed me.

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How long do you leave the pessary in place between cleanings Kath?

18

Dear Frightened,

By my name you'll see I have a vested interest, but let me tell you what I know.

Pessary use will help to support, fitting can be tricky. It can take up to 3 goes to get the right size, there is nothing worse for the morale than one dropping out - but persevere! More and more Clinicians are being trained in pessary fitting and sizing, so give it your best shot. Some women can get infections with a full-time pessary, but not all. Some pessaries are removable which give a little more freedom if you are sexually active.

Watch your weight - lose any extra you are carrying. this is for 2 reasons. 1. the physical pressure is too much on the weak muscles and 2. The muscles become even weaker because the muscle fibres are replaced with less strong fat cells.  

Pelvic Floor Exercise - if you do not change what you do, there will be no change in your pelvic floor, and you could suffer other organs prolapsing. I know my machine because I know the clinical results, but there are others out there. Realistically don’t go for a manual device, your floor is too weak, an electronic one is powerful and will target the muscles. I believe ours is the strongest machine available and with our new Glide probe it is unsurpassable - but you have to use it.

Correct your posture - sit up, walk tall. Don’t sit on your tail bone. When you pelvic floor exercise, sit up straight. Check out films on You Tube by Michelle Kenway and Tasha Mulligan. Brilliant helpful films that will really help you manage your prolapse.

Buy a toilet stool like the Squatty Potty – it will help take the strain off your pelvic floor when you poo, and make sure you eliminate more fully Amazing health device, but it works so well that everyone soon stops being embarrassed!

Get your GP to refer you to a Physio - if you don't feel the benefit, ask to see another Physio. They can be priceless in helping you correct the weakness in your body and could be the magic ingredient you need to avoid surgery.

Supplement with Vitamin D3 - a common vitamin lacking in women with a weak pelvic floor...

If you can afford them, buy a pair of EVB Support Shorts - giving a whopping 71% extra support to the pelvic floor.

It is devastating I know, but by being proctive you can take chanrge and help your body get strong. Even if you did have surgery (it's no magic wand either) it is the start of a new journey of getting your body stronger and you have to change what you do to get results - I wish you luck in 2017

I hope this has been of help to you.

S

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frightened just to add to Stephanie's excellent advice. If you can get a referral to a physiotherapist specially trained in treating ladies with urogynaecology problems then all the better. A lot of urogynaecologists are now having them in their team.

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Hi carol,

What kind of pessary did you final use.. Bull Horn?