post-menopause and uterine prolapse

Hi Pompom,

Yes, the uterus/bladder (the “hard ball” that comprises most cases of prolapse) took a long time falling backwards and stretching the layers of surrounding connective tissue to finally rest at your vaginal opening. Simply pushing it back or contracting the pelvic diaphragm muscles are not going to affect much change. The housing of the bladder/uterus, which is the entire pelvis, must be carried differently to tip the organs forward again so the breath can pin them into position rather than blowing them backwards and out of the body. This is the WW postural work. In severe cases (which is basically all of us), we have to move things along more forcefully with exercises like firebreathing and nauli, which you can find in the video First Aid for Prolapse.

It is useful to remember that the organs themselves are passive bystanders. Rather, tough, stretchy connective tissue (fascia) surrounds all the organs and tethers them onto muscles and bones. How we use our muscles to move our bones determines how much we are able to affect symptoms. It is the breath that is the prime mover in organ placement. Every time you breathe in your body is trying to move your bladder/uterus forward against your lower belly. Make room for it by keeping your lower belly soft and intensify the movement through WW breathing exercises. The pelvic organ support system is a head-to-toe posture that utilizes an expanded rib cage and strong shoulder girdle to support the tension/compression nature of the body.

When we have done all these things for several months (including a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet and discontinuing all straining against the toilet seat), then our “baseline” begins to appear, which is going to be different for every woman. We have evidence that the baseline can continue to improve over several years, but at some point women have to accept the reality of their particular prolapse condition. This includes the fact that symptoms wax and wane - even over the course of hours in the day and can always be affected by focused breathing and movement. Even sitting up strongly in WW posture has a beneficial effect.

As for the kegel question, when you are sitting up strongly in WW posture - which means balancing primarily on the flat pubic bones underneath you rather than rocking back to place all your weight on your “sit bones” your body is doing a sustained, natural “kegel”. The notion of lying on your back and contracting those muscles is nonsense in terms of prolapse reversal.

Hope you feel better soon.

Christine

I'm so glad you're getting your brain/body wrapped around the WW posture...there is nothing as healing as learning to live in our genetically-wired shape. You will see that t-tapp is the opposite of what we are doing...serious tucking under and pulling in the belly. Mayan massage may feel good, but the work gets done when we're on our feet.

:) Christine

Christine has just answered one of my questions when she said POP waxes and wanes even over the course of hours in a day. I thought it was my imagination that I feel a little bulge at night but mornings it just feels like day 4 of a period with a super tampax inserted! I think I am suffering from what I am calling "china doll syndrome" which means I question every time I move my suddenly breakable body: is this movement (e.g.: walking, climbing stairs, sex doggie style, using my bicycle this summer) going to precipitate me into stage 3? I have just read some great posts about bowel movements or lack thereof which solved my questions about dangers of straining. I wait till I don't have to push now. I ordered Christine's DVD and the baton this morning after deciding the POP issue is too important to try to get by with just the book. I want to watch and imitate breathing and exercises. I guess my overall question is how long does it take to ease up a bit and not be so stressed or keep having panic attacks and feeling depressed about my body? Since my retirement in Jan. 2009 I have lost 28 pounds of stress weight and was cantering into the home stretch with the final 15 pounds. I'm doing great having left processed foods behind me. Now I don't want POP to derail me. The silver fox does not want to be the old gray mare even if she is chronologically aged 66! Knowledge is supposed to be power so maybe doing the actual WW Workout will empower me SOON?!!

Hi Foxy,

Good questions. Will respond asap...computer issues here. DH thought he fixed the problem, but it choked and died this afternoon. Not to worry, you are not broken...only going deeper into your cronehood - the best is yet to come.

Christine

On my way up to the Allegheny Forest in northern PA later this morning for three weeks. My DVD is on its way up there! In addition to the china doll syndrome, I suddenly feel really humble and chastened. I've been the toned woman with six days of exercise, different types on different days. I get into a pilates class with 30s and 40s women and I've had this proud smile at being able to out-flex them by a long shot! Where I strode along, I feel as if I'm mentally walking in a dark room with my hands out to keep from crashing into a wall. My general chutzpah has taken a beating. I have told no-one but my partner about the lightening quick appearance of POP the day after my annual pelvic exam. I feel ashamed that all the toning, all the careful, natural eating of the past few years hasn't prevented this. Now I am up and ready for battle, but I so need this forum. Kudoes to Surviving60, Louise, and Christine in particular! I will keep refining my food knowledge because I know I'm on the right track there. It's amending the exercise that will be hard. No more kettlebells? My partner and I got a set for Christmas but haven't done much yet.

Oh good...sounds like you will be in a place where you can take time to absorb the WW work and begin the restoration process.

Yes, the exercise might not have been a problem had you been in your rightful shape. Undoubtedly you are a modern "hard body", which is kinda tough on the female form. Time to unfurl your bum, lengthen your belly and align your head and neck in natural human posture.

The FAFP workout gets pretty intense - but in a dancy sort of way, which you might not be used to. Please understand that it's not about particular exercises, but the way in which you hold your body throughout the course of the day. WWYoga1 is also a very intense workout.

All the activities you listed will only serve to improve your condition, but you need to anchor your body in WW posture so as you run, dance, bike, climb mountains, etc., your organs are being pushed into your lower belly instead of you-know-where.

I know it sounds trite and I rarely say it, but count your blessings, Foxy!! I will now take a deep breath and respond to another new member with devastating post-hysterectomy prolapse.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Thanks Safely Held. It helped me understand once again how lucky I am to find myself on this Forum. I come here daily and lap up as much of information as I can. I have read the book cover to cover and had begun in earnest with the exercises. I eased up on it a little when I found my lower back hurting. Now I focus on holding the WW posture through the day and am trying to get the hang of 'fire breathing' and 'nauli'

Hi kittu,
yes, it does take time with this work. We must remember that it is not a race, but a journey we wil have the rest of our lives. When I first started, I was going at those exercises like a maniac, but ended up straining my knee. So it it good to take all of this slowly, including the posture work itself.
Rest when you need to, and once you have figured out the firebreathing and nauli, you will love them! Wonderful tools in the whole woman work.