Uterine prolapse and menopause

Body: 

I have uterine prolapse so that the uterus is peeking out of the vagina.
My question is about swimming in public baths. We have a lovely open-air pool nearby and I'd like to go swimming but feel insecure about the danger of infection.
Who has experience with swimming, do you take any precautions?
A friend of mine decided to use a tampon but ended up with a very serious and dangerous infection.
Obviously the tampon sucked up the water and deposited inside - not a good idea.
Thanks for any comments, tips or warnings
Pompom

Hi Pompom

Water will get in your vagina, regardless of whether or not you have prolapse. If your cervix is just peeping out it is more than likely that it will not be open. When you get into the water I doubt that you will be able to detect your cervix, because out pelvic organs seem to kind of float when we are in water without the effect of gravity.

I would think the tampon would have been more of an infection risk in itself than chlorinated pool water, if it had been in your friend's vagina for more than two hours. I cannot see how she would not want to change it immediately she got out of the water, as it would be full of water, and not much good for absorbing menstrual fluids. Just wondering what sort of infection she got? Vaginal irritation? Uterine? Urinary tract? Perhaps the tampon was not responsible at all?

Sometimes doctors are scratching their head for reasons when they don't know the answer, and just pick a reason for no other reason than that they can't think of anything better. Remember the story about POP being an old woman's condition? Remember the story about needing a hysterectomy to fix prolapse? Remember the advice that Kegels will fix prolapse? Remember the story about mercurochrome being the best thing in the world for cuts and scratches?

As a teenager and young woman I used to swim during menstruation for about four months of the year. It never hurt me. No, I didn't have prolapse at the time, but I don't think it makes any difference at all.

Women have been swimming in far worse places than chlorinated pools since time immemorial.

Go for it. Enjoy!

Louise

Just wondered if you could apply some barrier cream before you went swimming. This might give you some confidence that you have a layer of protection between you and the water ...

Louise
Thanks so much for encouraging me to go swimming and easing my anxiety about infection.
I'm not quite sure what my friend actually had but she said it was a serious infection. You might just be right about what doctor's say though........

Good idea with the cream - thanks for the tip