First experiences after starting the WW posture?

Hi Clavicula,

I would ease up on the kegels.

I noticed that Louise said she rarely does kegels and I don’t either. It just doesn’t seem necessary with this postural work. I may take the “Kegels the Right Way” blog down because it’s possible, if done excessively, that they may irritate the positions of the urethra/bladder in the same way that we’ve heard from women that excessive kegels on their back (makes it easier to contract the anal sphincter) irritates rectocele.

You can feel this concept yourself. Sit with your legs stretched out in front of you and your torso nicely pulled up into the posture. Lean straight forward (don’t curve your spine) over your thighs and you will feel the pelvic musculature tightening around your urethra. This is especially true if you raise your arms above your head, because this tightens the great thoracolumbar fascia underneath your back, which ultimately connects to the pelvic muscles. Now contract your pelvic diaphragm and you will really feel the tug on your urethra. That tug may be great exercise for the musculature, but it may also be pulling your bladder/urethra back a bit.

Christine

I know how you feel. I have been in posture and doing some of the exercises and kegels and have not seen any positive change in the cystocele so far. I noticed mine in Dec. 2008. I think the kegels did make things worse, the bulge hung down further past the vaginal opening, and I had alot of pressure and frequency with urination. No burning though. I have let up on all exercise and kegels and the pressure and frequency are much better. The bulge is still bad. Maybe that will never change, I just hope it doesn't continue downward. I am having alot pain in my right side too, just like when I had a cyst 3 years so maybe my poor old ovary is still trying to kick something out and that is affecting the cystocele. I have come to the conclusion that until I am well into post menopause things might not get better. My hormones are still all over the place apparently. Hope things improve for you soon. Connie

Hi Clavicula

When your bladder is tipped back it kinks the urethra. The kink acts as a kind of makeshift extra sphincter, kind of like bending a garden hose double to stop the water flow.

When you are in WW posture your bladder moves forward and straightens that kink slightly. This might be making it harder for your to hold on. If so, I wouldn't worry too much. I think Christine's advice to ease up on the Kegels is a good idea, as other women have born this out. But I would keep doing them, as they will help you to remain continent, just by being a little fitter.

I would also think about whether your urethra makes contact with your knickers, which could irritate it and give you nappy rash if there is a bit of dried urine on them. Was it you I suggested this to, a week or so ago? You could try changing your knickers a couple of times a day. Make sure you have cotton gussets in your knickers too. Go without whenever you can, and try to wear skirts rather than trousers for a while. A half slip will help mop up any discharge or drops of urine. A nappy rash cream, eg zinc cream (ick!), or WW vulva balm on the urethral opening might reduce the irritation and heal the area too.

I have also found that thrush hanging around in a minor way can make me want to pee more. Then there is more moisture which encourages the thrush to get established. So it is worthwhile making the effort to stay dry. A course of probiotics might be good insurance.

Sorry if I have already suggested these things. Good luck.

Cheers

Louise

Hey Clavicula

Re "Sometimes I feel exactly like I am 6-7 weeks pregnant (and the uterus presses my bladder down)", maybe that is what is happening. It's a bit pie-in-the-sky, but if your uterus is moving over the top of your bladder, maybe your bladder thinks your uterus is pregnant, and is getting heavy? I always thought that weeing all the time thing that happens at the beginning of pregnancy was the kidneys gearing up for the job ahead. The bladder eventually adjusts after a few weeks, so maybe it will adjust this time too. There are some very complex feedback pathways between organs in our bodies, so its is possible, I guess? Maybe your bladder just needs to adjust to being pushed in a different direction?

L

Hi Liv

That's a lovely post. I'm having a bad day today and just the thought of being part of the ww sisterhood is helping me. I've decided not to call it a bad day. It's a good day with not so good bits in it. I've been doing a lot of coming to terms with things and giving awat my yoga equipment becuase I know now I won't be a teacher. I gave away a dozen mats today and delivered them up two flights of stairs. Only three at a time but perhaps the POP didn't dig it. Oh well, it'll all go in the diary to help the mystery unravel.

I'm glad for my POP too and the new friends it's bringing me. Oh and by the way, you should see my sprouts!

Sally

Hi Liv

Yeah, that makes good sense. I think we take so much for granted, then only when it is compromised do we start to appreciate the need to take care of what we are and what we have. Having babies certainly changes your whole perspective on the universe too. When you are lying around nursing babies all day, it certainly gives the old brain a chance to ponder the universe in a way that it never did before!

Glad you're getting benefit from our Forum. I look back fondly on those nursing days.

Cheers

Louise