New Information about my so called uterine prolapse/now it's an elongated cervix

Submitted by dreamer8 on April 22, 2010 - 10:21pm
Body: 

Well, just today I went to a new Dr., to get fitted for a pessary, which, my natural physical therapist said I was a perfect candidate for after her exam with me. She feels with basic core exercises and a pessary, things may go back to normal. And, give me more freedom in the meantime - for exercise, etc.

I was so nervous going to a medical office (I'm pro-holistic), and had 3 surgeries in the urinary area before age 6. Thank God, I can stand up for myself. The first md kind of did the pre-work before the expert urogynecologist. She was so anatomy focused and harsh - couldn't find anything prolapsed, which, I think was partly due to not working or being on my feet much the past week or so. And, my guy was visiting from back east and I were sexually active this past week, which seems to have caused other problems.? Uti, I don't know for sure yet. When the expert dr. came in, she was ok - she had me stand up to examine and train the other dr I guess, and said it's a good thing I came, because what I have is an elongated cervix, which she says is very unusual. Said a pessary could help. And, did I want one. Any surgical procedure would be to shave or cut off part of the cervix. OUCH! They do the same thing for cervical dysplasia. I really don't want to go there.

Not sure if I am happy about this. I'm told an elongated cervix just grows. I'm grateful it's not a prolapse, although, she says it doesn't mean I won't get one. I'm still very concerned and confused. And, dealing with much pain in my whole genital area. Too much sex?

So, I now have a pessary, which I will experiment with along with all the other info. from Christine, PT and me. I've read to do 100% of what you know. So, here I go.

Also, the trainee md, advised I use a hormone cream 3x/week with the pessary to strengthen tissues and prevent erosion of. Whoa. I'm on a path and will keep on keepin' on. I just want to start exercising more again and get in super health. Natural, Simple. Please.

Any input on this is always greatly appreciated. Especially, on my new diagnosis of elongated cervix. Anyone familiar with. I will go back to christine's book and look it up.

I do have great hopes. (:
Dreamer8

alemama

April 23, 2010 - 5:00pm

Hey Dreamer- before this visit had you ever gotten an official diagnosis of prolapse? I just ask b/c maybe all your hard work has paid off and they didn't find a prolapse because you reversed it. Wouldn't that be great?

Christine

April 23, 2010 - 8:21pm

Hi Dreamer8,

It is situations like these that call for assertiveness. Is there a way to call the urogyn back and ask a few questions? Like, what exactly is an elongated cervix and how is it in proportion to the other prolapsed cervixes you see? What in the world does it mean that the cervix "just grows". Is the body of my uterus mobile or does it seem fixed in place? Won't the hypertrophic quality of exogenous estrogen make my prolapse worse?

What these doctors come up with never ceases to amaze us here at WW. Of course I have no way of knowing what she found or how many standard deviations from normal your cervix actually is. But you could feel for yourself and compare it to pictures on the internet. It is very easy to do and just feels sort of like a turkey neck.

I have only heard of elongated cervix in reference to uterine suspension operations that immobilize the uterus either to the front of the body or the back. Because the cells of the cervix are very stretchy (think crowning), when the body of the uterus is fixed in such a way, the cervix can just stretch like silly putty.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Christine

louiseds

April 24, 2010 - 10:32pm

Hi Dreamer

I would like to affirm Christine's comments.

Even if your cervix is elongated, what is the relevance of this. Is it a problem for you? Is it a problem for the doctor? Does it signal something else that we or you are not being told about? Is the doctor saying it should be a problem, or assuming that it is a problem for you? Or is the doctor saying, "Oh, don't worry, it is just that your cervix is elongated, and that is not a problem in itself"? (Kind of like having one long toe, which has no relevance other than finding shoes that fit satisfactorily.)

I did some googling and couldn't come up with any good reason why a woman would want to 'do something ' about it, other than to stop it hanging down further than is comfortable.

Have I missed something, or is it purely to do with comfort (which Wholewoman techniques should be able to improve) and aesthetics?

I too agree that you need to ask the doctor the medical/surgical/hormonal relevance of the diagnosis of elongated cervix before going any further.

Louise

dreamer8

April 25, 2010 - 11:16pm

I wish I would have had you and Christine and the whole team with me when I went to this medical facility! Basically, the urogynecologist came in to assist the first trainee ? dr., and had me hold a mirror so we could look and see - immediately, she said, just the other day she had another woman with this elongated cervix. It's Very unusual. A pessary could support the sagging even tho it's not a prolapse. As long as it's one without a hole (my cervix would come through)- She mentioned the only surgical procedure for it is the same as for cervical dysplasia. It's optional. Could have complications.

I have been sagging and treating this as a prolapse since I started understanding what was happening to my body last year. Maybe some of my practices are helping. When I asked about specific exercises, she said it can't hurt. This is only about comfort and health for me.
I asked many questions - the one about the cervix growing, she just said it grows. I too, googled for more info., and found nothing. I think she did view it as you said, like having a longer toe. We can just cut it. Or, use a pessary.

Tomorrow, I am going to call the office with more questions. I had already planned to fill out a comment card on svcs. for many reasons. Other things happened that were ridiculous while I was there. I'm grateful to have you all for support. More later. Thanks!

dreamer8

April 25, 2010 - 11:43pm

I had already planned to fill out a comment card for this supposedly reputable facility due to several things. I was also feeling nervous, because I don't like dealing with the medical world, and yet, per the PT, it sounded like something I could accept.

I plan to call the office tomorrow and sure hope to get more info. I thought it was obscerd when the urogynecologist said it just grows. I asked her twice. She said it was good for me to know and left the decision up to me as to whether or not I wanted to be fitted for a pessary. She said my uterus was very small. I've been post menopausal since '97. I never had children - I don't know if I've always had a small uterus. No one has ever told me.

I have felt and seen my cervix coming right out of my body enough to feel freaked out in the beginning (02/09) - a significant protrusion. My natural instincts had me trying a tampon initially - once I found your website and book, I started learning more and calming down.

This new info. re: elongated cervix has me baffled. With the sagging, it seems just like a pop. Maybe some of my exercises are helping. It's worse when my body is real relaxed. Thanks for your good questions. I will keep you posted. (:

fc12

April 26, 2010 - 1:42am

A few years ago when I was getting a Pap smear done, the GP told me I had a 'long cervix' as an explanation as to why she was having difficulty getting the smear done and was hurting me sooo much!!!

She didn't use the word elongated and I didn't ask any questions. This was pre childbirth, pre POP for me so I didn't think it was that interesting.

Anyway, I'm only adding to the comments to say that I too have heard of this. Whether my 'diagnosis' is the same as yours remains to be seen but this is only the first time I've heard of something similar.

Having said all this, as far as I'm aware I don't have uterine prolapse. I'm pregnant now but prior to this pregnancy I could feel the opening of my cervix only if I reached in far with the top of my middle finger. Perhaps it's a bit lower that 'normal', I'm not sure but I don't think much at all.