Pelvic Health

Submitted by Hopeful2 on June 5, 2013 - 4:21pm
Body: 

I'm relatively new to Whole Woman. I've been practicing the posture, breathing, nauli, and first aid dvd for about two months for a bladder prolapse. It does help me, but I feel I need a little advice on a few subjects. First of all, I have a lot of vulvar irritation--not related to an infection--but a real problem for me. I have tried just a natural vegetable oil topically, but it doesn't stop the irritation. My second question relates to activity, exercise, yard work, etc., because this always makes me worse. Will this improve, or am I going to continually deal with this. My final question is related to suggestions for appropriate exercise relative to bone density--my bone density had improved to osteopenia before all this started and I am concerned that it doesn't deteriorate.

I appreciate your suggestions and advice.

Hopeful2

Forum:

fab

June 5, 2013 - 8:00pm

The vulva irritation you speak of could be a result of a number of things. If it is the result of fungal infection (vaginal thrush) then dousing with apple cider vinegar treats the fungus and then a little later the application of a pea size amount of honey to the uterus can return good bacteria to the vagina. Christine has brought out a very valuable DVD called “Vulva Vaginal Health” which you would find very helpfu
Yard work and exercise are ok as long as you can manage to do them in posture, you need to avoid any activity which forces your prolapse down. As to bone density, walking is probably one of the better exercises you can do.

Hopeful2

June 5, 2013 - 11:14pm

Thank you for all the info. I understand doing exercise or work in posture, and I'll look at the book and dvd for more guidance. I'm not sure of those activities forcing the prolapse down--probably bending over (rather than squatting) or leaning forward too long. I haven't gone into the advanced level for the dvd for prolapse or the third dvd yet--I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I'll look at that more to see motion that seems acceptable. Lots of info to absorb. I agree on the walking for bone density. With all the rain this spring, I am chased down to the basement on my treadmill.

Thank you again.

Hopeful2

fab

June 6, 2013 - 12:16am

Things that push the prolapse down: straining on the toilet, lifting heavy weights, bending from the waist instead of the hips, not keeping regular with your bowels, incomplete elimination of urine, slouching and generally going about things when not in posture. They are everyday events that you take gradually and think about, as you say not running too far ahead of yourself is a good way to travel. Unless you can squat up on your toes with your lumbar curvature in place, don't squat. It's like when you sit on the toilet. If you relax your pelvic muscles too much you will find your prolapse falls down. So if when you need a little pressure, you actually only half squat, your weight is on your feet, but your abdomen is at normal standing level rather than squished, then your pelvic muscles can hold a little cross tension and prevent the prolapse from slipping too far down. Take your time: master posture first, then good diet, then good toileting and you have major difficulties solved.

Surviving60

June 6, 2013 - 7:32am

Hi hopeful - excellent suggestions from fab. So true, the primary task is to really nail that posture until it becomes second nature. This definitely takes time and attention. I was into my second year before finding myself standing and moving in correct posture without constantly thinking about it. Aside from that, I still have to remind myself about all the other things (proper bending/lifting/carrying, lumbar support while driving, toilet habits, body angles, diet, rest, not slouching into soft furniture) - but this is all so much easier once posture is automatic. And you will feel different! - Surviving

Hopeful2

June 6, 2013 - 7:07pm

Thanks, Fab and Surviving 60. Your suggestions helped me to see where I have to correct my posture. The half squat makes sense. I'll do that until I get the whole process to work. I feel like I've come so far in these two months, but at times I have to step back and improve on my posture when I get a little lazier. Sometimes when my upper back gets sore, I use a posture support to relieve the tension. Then I feel better and it kind of reminds me just how important the posture is to this process. I have to be especially careful about diet too. Besides being gluten intolerant, I am especially sensitive to L-glutamine which really messes up the prolapse for me. So I have been making progress on the biggest things, and your advice will really help. Thanks.

Hopeful2

Surviving60

June 7, 2013 - 7:20am

Hi hopeful - I am wondering what you are referring to when you say you use a posture support. There are things you can wear that pull the shoulders back, and years ago when I knew I had bad posture, but didn't understand why, I often considered trying them. But "shoulders back" is not what you want with WW posture.

A bit of healthy soreness is normal when first learning posture, as it would be with any unfamiliar new activity. Ease up, go slow. - Surviving

Hopeful2

June 7, 2013 - 3:01pm

My back gets sore at lot. With the WW posture, I have more soreness, which wasn't going away. I figured the posture support was for the shoulders, but I do lift my chest anyway. And I hoped if I used it when it was the worst, then it would be easier on me. Hope this isn't such a bad idea. I am in my 60's and have always been physically active, but there has been a change in my physical activity due to the prolapse. I can try some other ideas, and I usually rest when it really bothers me.

Thanks.

Hopeful2

louiseds

June 9, 2013 - 10:01pm

Hi Hopeful

Could I suggest that you use a good lubricant in your vagina while doing hard physical work. If your vagina is irritated simply the friction of the front and back walls rubbing together may be irritating the vaginal lining even more. When we lift loads the two walls of the vagina are pressed together more firmly, so the extra lubrication may help.

I too would recommend the DVD The Whole Woman Way to Vulval Vaginal Health.

Louise

wholewomanUK

June 10, 2013 - 6:02am

Just to add, weight bearing exercises help to strengthen and maintaind bones density. Fractured wrists amongst older women in the UK are quite common, due to women breaking their falls and their wrists due to weak wrists and bone density. So weight bearing exercises are good. Of course as ever, working within your limits but working to the edge of your limits too in order to develop the body.
Yoga postures such as cat posture and dog posture are great for developing wrist strength and bone density.
xwholewomanuk