Pessary ring

Hi Crystal - keep in mind that WW is a whole lot more than an exercise program. It's about correcting the posture until that lumbar curvature starts to return on its own and it takes LOTS of time and work to get to this point. The exercises are an integral part of that. Walking helps too. But when you have a 3rd stage uterine prolapse, you need to train yourself in posture for all your waking hours, and you need to be doing lots of firebreathing. Pessary is not a long-term solution as most types hold the vagina open, where we are trying to return it to a flattened, airless space so that the organs aren't squishing into it. I would recommend posture and exercises, and not worrying about what this does to the pessary (I think that's getting it backwards). Having the pessary in will not help you gauge what your posture work is actually doing, and it will not help you remember posture.

That being said, there are pessary users on here who will have other advice and perspectives for you. And you can use the search box up above to look for other discussions, of which you will find many. Happy reading, and get back on that posture. - Surviving

I saw that some members are using sponges which I had never heard of. Does Whole Woman recommend sponges until The prolapse is improved?

If you want to try sponges for symptom relief, there are lots of discussion threads you can search on that will give you some idea of the experiences of others. Not a lot of successful users here, but there are some. Holding the vagina open with any foreign object isn’t a good long-term strategy for prolapse management, but each woman has to decide what is tolerable for her, and use these things sparingly if possible. We’d like to see everyone get to the point where the natural dynamics of correct posture can do their work, and the feedback that you get from your symptoms will help that happen. Pessaries and sponges can aggravate or encourage a rectocele (something to keep in mind). - Surviving

Surviving60
Thanks for the information. I will leave it off as much as possible - a big advantage of being retired.

I am 65...just diagnosed with vaginal prolapse. Been doing research online, came upon this site, haven't acquired any material yet. Have been very active...walking, yoga, kayaking etc but now it feels like I have a full tampon ready to come out and am considering a pessary...is there inf in the ww book about this..pros andcons?

Yes, the book does contain a brief chapter on pessary use. They can help some women with their symptoms but they don't contribute too much overall to long-term maintenance of prolapse. They can be tricky to fit and you'll need a doctor willing to work patiently with you on this. You will want to be able to insert and remove yourself, so that the tissues can breathe at night and so that you always have the option of not wearing (some doctors have you leave it in for weeks or months at a time, and return to the office for cleaning). Not every woman can use a pessary. If you have a rectocele, they probably will not work at all and can make things worse. Many pessaries hold the vagina open, which works against the basic principles of prolapse management in that we are aiming to close that space.

Do get the book and/or basic DVD and learn what Whole Woman posture is all about. I've been doing it for over 3 years and my symptoms are well-controlled. Discovering this posture correction has changed my life in so many ways. - Surviving

I'm 67 with a stage 3 bladder prolapse. After reading some of the negative comments about pessaries, and of course recognizing that they cannot replace the posture and exercises (which I continue to do), I finally decided to try one - to use only occasionally when I go for long hikes with a group. It's either that, or risk embarrassment if I bend over to do firebreathing in the middle of a walk! Don't want anyone to think I'm having a gall bladder attack! So, next week, I'm off to a gynecologist to be fitted and hoping for the best. Can anyone advise on what sort of lubricating cream is best to use? I read somewhere on the forum that one of the creams has certain chemical components (I forget the name) that could be harmful. I also want to avoid estrogen creams, as I have a family history of breast cancer and have always resisted HRT being pushed on me by my over-zealous GP. Thanks!

Happycramper, how is your posture? Have you been doing it? Are you "getting it"? I'm asking because I have a radical suggestion to make. And since you haven't posted before, I don't know where you are in this journey.

Take a long, long posture walk, all by yourself. Walk for as long as you would hike with the group. Walk in excellent, mindful WW posture. And just see how you feel.

Now, if you are still a total newbie to all of this, my suggestion may not be a good one. Or at least it may not appeal to you. But here is my story: I have rectocele and cystocele and I've been doing this work for 3 years. Last year a friend and I hiked for 3 or 4 hours straight, without stopping. I stayed in fabulously good posture the entire time. It was not hard to do; posture-wise I was a pro by then.

When I was done, my 'celes felt the best they ever did. I was virtually symptom-free at least for awhile.

My point is just that if you work at this, and see just much proper posture walking can help your 'celes, you might not want to run out and buy a pessary and miss such an opportunity to experience WW posture at work. Please consider whipping your posture into shape and taking a "dry run" - Surviving

Just started last week and was wondering if somebody could give me some advise what I should do on a regular basis. I'm 74 Uterus is gone.. Bladder in a sling.. Rectocele is now stage 3...I can't walk to long I suppose to have two knee replacements done .For years, I wont... I have a NU STEP...where I sit and exercise. I sit on a toilet with my legs 7 inches high . I was told to do so .Its seems easier to go Poo. After that should I do fire breathing? And how many should I do in a day. I also do rocking ( Kegels)..Has anybody experienced that some of the prolapses went back just a little... Is there hope... Thank you

Thanks - I do appreciate your suggestion and I am indeed working on the posture and exercises. It's just that the walks (six days of walking at an average of 6 hours a day) are coming up next month and I'm not yet that far advanced in the WW program. I have noticed, though, even at this early stage, that the posture control does help.

Lots and lots of very mindful walking is what eventually ingrained this posture in me. Between now and your hiking event next month, you should be doing as much walking as you possibly can. By then you should have a pretty good idea of what 6 days of walking might mean. It could end up being the best thing you can do for your 'cele.

That being said, walking with a pessary is certainly preferable to walking in bad posture.

OK, getting off my soapbox now. - Surviving

PS: Your bladder is not going to fall out during the hike. And if you want to firebreathe, do it during pee breaks so that no one is watching you.

I do not have advise to give you, but I saw your post and want to tell you that I am thinking of you and wishing that you get many helpful replays very soon.
All the best to you.
Solita

Hi lindelu. There are not a lot of members here who are post-hyst and post-sling and able to give you first-hand suggestions. My opinion is that doing the Whole Woman work, as much as you are able, will give you the best chance of maintaining things in their current state without further damage. Learn and practice posture and firebreathing.

Keep your bowels moving along - lots of discussions on these forums about diet and elimination. Elevating the feet to poo isn't a great idea as it works against lumbar curvature...but your pelvic dynamics have been so radically altered that it's hard to say what is your best toilet position.

If walking is hard, and floor work is better for you, there is plenty of that on Christine's DVD's. With your particular set of issues to deal with, you might want to consider a consult with her. - Surviving

My doc wants to fit me for one- but I think I am going to for go it for now- I have been looking into FSM- Frequency Specific Microcurrent- I start my first session today. Any one else heard of this?
1030 Girl

I googled this a bit..... no thanks! But do let us know how it goes. - Surviving