Hi guys, just want some advise really. I'm 28 and have 3 and a half year old. I had a long delivery which included forceps & a Episiotomy. Only recently after having the flu and a terrible cough did I notice I could feel some pressure down below. From what I can 'feel' and from my research it seems like bladder prolapse. Nothing is 'protruding'.... At the moment but it's definetly lower then it should be. I went to my GP and she said she would refer me for physio. She didn't say much and it's been a few wks and I haven't heard anything so I am going to chase it up tomorrow but I just wanted to know, can physio help me? Is this situation going to get worse? I've just come out of a 11 year relationship, I've lost almost 28lbs and starting to get my confidence back, I'm wanting to meet someone new but the thought of this situation not getting better and possibly getting worse terrifies me! I've also been exercising a lot at the moment and I don't really know what's safe and what's not or what is going to make the situation worse. Sorry for the long post I'm just in such a panic and Feel so low...
Hi Lauren,
It's good that you have got a referral for physio. Go along and see what they say. If there is no improvement then make sure you get a referral to a gynecologist. This is exactly what happened to me but because of my age and I didn't have a problem with incontinence, three doctors said that there was nothing wrong so I put up with it for 13 years. I had a prolapsed bowel and bladder. After my recent check up, the surgeon also said that I have a prolapsed womb but they have left it because of my age but I will have to have a hysterectomy in about 10-20 years. Everything is still quite low for my but it's more realigned and I don't really know if it has worked yet as I'm still recovering from surgery.
You know your own body so just make sure that you get referred to the right people.
Good luck!
Hi Lauren
First of all don't panic!
Physios are great and exercise can resolve
Sorry posted my reply to early!
Physio can be great and resolve lots of people's problems but they will also tell you honestly if they feel you need to see a specialist.
Regarding exercise some strenuous activities can make a prolapse worse so be cautious on running etc but again take physio advice.
You could start exercises even before you see the physio by using The squeezy app which I find very helpful.
And please be reassured that I met my new partner after my divorce when I had my prolapse and he never even noticed my 'issues' so don't feel worried about meeting new people and what they might think!! I don't think men notice anything much to be honest!!
Good luck xx
Hello lauren. Your prolapse sounds as though it's low grade so there's a good chance you will be able to improve things however I hope your GP has referred you to a physiotherapist who is a specialist in pelvic floor/urogynaecology because it has been shown that they need the specialist training to really make a difference. They are trained in examining women as well so they can tell if there is any improvement. A lot of Urogynaecologists now have specialist physios in their team. It will be worth checking. It will take time to see an improvement as well but it could prevent or delay surgery. If is a bladder prolapse there are new procedures being performed now that don't need such a long convalescence either. Personally I think all women should be referred to a Urogynaecologist and let him/her make the decision as to whether physio will work or not. Finally there's a lovely lady on this forum called Stephanie who is very experienced and knowledgeable about pelvic floor issues, I'm sure she'll respond to you at some point with some excellent advice.
Hi Lauren! If the bladder doesn't protrude is a good sign, as Matron said it should be mild.
About the man thing, don't worry, they don't notice anything and it won't protrude more with sex, on the contrary, sex is good for pelvic floor.
The only problem I see is that you sound quite stressed so please take action now that you have only a mild prolapse, the physio can help you to stop the bladder to fall more. But don't be obsessed, there are a lot of woman with these issues, it's quite a normal thing after deliveries like yours (I had also bad delivery, only one).
Try to avoid crunches and running, but you can cycle and swim. Your physio will give you good advice. Hugs!!!
Thank you so much for your reply. Reading these are helping me relax a little more. Ideally A complete 'cure' would be ideal but even if I was to be reassured that it wouldn't get worse I could live with that! I'm becoming obsessed with it and it's on my mind constantly, especially when I'm walking around as I feel the pressure more. I called to get an update about my physio and was told I would hear in another 3-4 wks. I really don't want to wait that long and feel like it's already gotten worse since I went to the docs 3 wks ago, I think me running and working out hasn't helped. Thank you again for your reply. I really appreciate it xx
Thank you for your reply, it's really reassuring and I will also ask about whether my physio is a Urogynaecologist. Xx
Thanks Trina, meeting someone new and already having some body hung ups is a scary thought but like you said, it's prob something they don't even notice. I've decided to not work out until my first physio just incase as I think over the last 3 wks I've made it worse as I'm had the 'gym bug'. Thanks again xx
Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate it! I wish you a speedy and good recovery from your op. Xx
Perhaps do yoga or Pilates instead in classes or swimming or cycling? Basically lower impact work and combine that with the squeezy app for pelvic floor work. If you are really worried you could find a private women's health physio to get started with if you don't want to wait for the NHS but obviously that is more expensive :-(
Good luck x
That's a good idea, I think it's worth me going privately until I hear back from NHS. And thanks I think I'll give swimming a go as want to keep active. Xx
Hi lauren, no your physio won't be a Urogynaecologist, that's the consultant surgeon. Ask if she's a specialist physio in urogynaecology.
Lol sorry, as you can tell I'm rather clue less about this. I got you. Thank you xx
You won't be clueless once you've been on this forum for a week or two. You'll be able to go to your appointments well prepared and knowing what questions to ask. Anything you need to know we are all here to help xx
Lauren I understand you very well. But step by step before beginning worrying just get checked by an expert. Hugs!!!!
Don't forget it's a UROGYNAECOLOGIST Specialist you may need to see - not just a Gynaecologist. The Urogynae has had 3yrs extra training!! They have a specialist physio as others have said here.
Very few gynaecologists are performing prolapse repair now robyn and in the last year less than 1% of operations were performed by a gynaecologist. The RCOG have predicted that in the next year only Urogynaecologists will be performing prolapse repair. This information is from my colleagues in urogynaecology only this morning. The minimum training is 2 years although many gynaecologists undertake anything up to 5 years some longer if they don't secure a consultant post.
Oh wow!!