When I first “cracked the code” on stabilizing and reversing prolapse, and wrote and published Saving the Whole Woman, I set up this forum. While I had finally gotten my own severe uterine prolapse under control with the knowledge I had gained, I didn’t actually know if I could teach other women to do for themselves what I had done for my condition.
So I just started teaching women on this forum. Within weeks, the women started writing back, “It’s working! I can feel the difference!”
From that moment on, the forum became the hub of the Whole Woman Community. Unfortunately, spammers also discovered the forum, along with the thousands of women we had been helping. The level of spamming became so intolerable and time-consuming, we regretfully took the forum down.
Technology never sleeps, however, and we have better tools today for controlling spam than we did just a few years ago. So I am very excited and pleased to bring the forum back online.
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Remember, the forum is here for two reasons. First, to get your questions answered by other women who have knowledge and experience to share. Second, it is the place to share your results and successes. Your stories will help other women learn that Whole Woman is what they need.
Whether you’re an old friend or a new acquaintance, welcome! The Whole Woman forum is a place where you can make a difference in your own life and the lives of thousands of women around the world!
Best wishes,
Christine Kent
Founder
Whole Woman
louiseds
February 23, 2009 - 12:04am
Permalink
Pessary
Hi Alix
As you have had the two week workup for the pessary it is probably worth trying. Only problem I can see is that if your tissues shrink after the oestrogen wears off, and the pessary shifts, it may be painful for you, or the doctor, to remove it.
I don't think I would want a pessary that I was not 'allowed' to remove myself. Doctor may be just being cautious. They can be difficult to remove and re-insert because it is difficult for a woman to get her hands into the correct alignment to fold and insert a ring pessary like a doctor does it, esp if she is post menopause. I have not used one for years, and am kind of in the middle of finishing menstruation, so I may nt have reached the really dry vagina stage. Make sure you can get a quick appointment to have it removed if the pessary decides to shift to an uncomfortable position. It may just eject itself if it turns out to be too small. The fitting process can be a bit hit and miss, size-wise. You may need several visits to get it right.
I find it hard to believe that for the same pessary in the UK and USA, UK women are not capable of removal, cleaning and refitting, but USA women are! There are some that are particularly difficult to remove yourself. Do you know what type he wants to fit, and why he has chosen that one?
On the other hand, have you tried any Wholewoman techniques already. They are all non-invasive and may work, negating the need for a pessary altogether. What's more they are in your hands, not the doctor's.
I guess that I would rather use methods that do not require the input of another person to maintain.
Cheers
Louise
Alix
February 23, 2009 - 2:30pm
Permalink
non-removable pessary
Hi Louise, thanks very much for your helpful comments. This problem has just hit me, and I discovered this site and sent for Christine's book from the US only yesterday, so I haven't yet been able to try much except for posture. I think you are right, I shall ask my doctor to show me how to handle the pessary myself. But it's just possible the ones we get here in the UK are different from yours in the US - they may be more fragile (like one use contact lenses, perhaps) and so not able to stand up to repeated manipulation.
I would like to add a pessary to my menu of coping strategies. I hope to buy a sponge tomorrow to try before the pessary fitting on Thursday. If that helps a lot I'll be less keen on the pessary, but it might still be good to have that for big physical challenges / emergencies.
Thanks again, Alix.
louiseds
February 24, 2009 - 2:03am
Permalink
Tools/rabbits in your hat
Hi Alix
Sound thinking. It is always useful to be thinking of other options. Sometimes one thing works better than another.
Cheers
L
MeMyselfAndI
February 24, 2009 - 7:31am
Permalink
UK Pessaries
Just thought I would pop in to say - The UK Pessary (standard one they dont seem to know how many different Pessary types there are it seems from what I have found)
The standard ring pessary is a ring is hard(ish) what looks like silicone type plastic.
The day I had the one I had in for 18hrs - I went - saw my Dr - She rammes it in - I left - Next morning it left (My Dr now assumes as I told her I have no problems that this 'fixed' it - LOL )
The pessary basically looks like a whiteish many sized bracelet (obviously dependant on the size it can be smaller or larger) you get your fingers round the edges and squeeze and the shape becomes oval for removal...
Personally after the above I decided to not bother with it - As all the Dr said was 'come back in 6mths' no checking to se if you can defecate or pee or anything - Just a wave goodbye..... That might be just my Dr tho - Who nows
I did find that the 'shelf' as I called it back then (Basically a tampon used sizeways like this ||||||||||||||| was so much better or the sea sponge which you have total control over both these things. The sea sponge you hafta keep clean obviously but was comfortable and can be forgotton - A tampon you would hafta keep your eye on the clock (To insert a sideways tampon you would hafta insert one end and then push a bit to get the other end in - But once in - You could forget it was there to be honest) To be honest I dont reallly have a life that is built around my prolapse like I used to - After years of posture and this site - I am now in the head of my life and not the POP :-) That is a GREAT thing... It releases one from the constant tie to the POP and I can say that My life being mine again has filled me with immense joy and happiness again :-)
You may find that the tampon or sea sponge (sea pearls.co.uk i think it is)Or you might find you only need them on certain days or that you will not need it any more after a time.... You may find that the posture helps you for 25 days out of thirty.. Only your body will tell you the answer to that one... As I said - I needed it alot more and my life was dictated to me by POP and now I am freed from that and my life is mine again - So there is a good chance that posture will be all you need in the end :-)
You will find many ideas here - And your Dr might be alot more helpful than mine with the pessary - My Mother has a pessary and she loves it - And gets it changed every 6mths as indicated (She goes to BUPA to avoid any Dr hassles I had lol)
Hope that helps a little. Feel free to email if you have any more questions :-)
Sue
Sometimes youre holding someone else's heart in your hands. You can drop that heart & bruise it. You can squash that heart & hurt it. Or you can stomp on it & totally annihalate it. You stomp on that heart or bruise it. It can forever be changed ♥