Uterine Prolapse

Submitted by Take2 on October 22, 2015 - 12:44pm
Body: 

I don't yet have an exact diagnosis or prolapse grade, but my cervix is completely down in my vagina to the entrance, and sometimes out. About 10 years ago my former gyny said my uterus had not fallen, but that I had an "elongated" cervix. That was then.

With the recent worsening of my prolapse, I now have bladder symptoms. But my question is regarding the cervix/uterus prolapse in my vagina. Is it really possible for this to go back up in normal position? It has been taking up residence in my vagina for years- it doesn't seem feasible to me that it can ever go all the way back up. When I push it up, it springs back like memory foam. What kind of improvements can I hope for?

Forum:

Aging gracefully

October 22, 2015 - 1:40pm

Hi Take2,
I have what you do, pretty much exactly. Don't think I believe the elongated cervix thing the doctor told you, especially from reading Christine's material about what actually causes prolapse. And besides that, my cervix can be long and firm at times and then soft and squishy at others.

Our uteruses have fallen back from their place in our lower bellies into our vaginas. In my case, I believe the ligaments were also stretched out from the heavy lifting I did for years.

So here we are with our saggy uteruses. My answer, is yes, you can get more relief from symptoms, but it does take work to get there. I can manage my symptoms much more easily now than I could in the beginning of this work.
I have started a little younger than you, so the lumbar curvature was a little easier to attain. It may take a little more time for you.
I found mine at 49, but I also still have my periods which is another little problem in the mix, but I have learned to work with that too.

The thing with the severe uterine prolapse is that it does require all the tools available. When I started, I did everything. Daily Dvds, whole woman walking, jiggling and firebreathing several times a day. All of this working to really strengthen that posture. It took me about a year to start seeing the results I wanted, just to keep that cervix to stay inside. In the second year, I was able to get it to stay up higher for longer periods of time.
That is where I am now. This work is really about managing our prolapse at this point, and I have been very happy with these results, because I have the confidence now to do anything I want with whole woman behind me.

Take2

October 22, 2015 - 2:16pm

AG, thank you for sharing that what we have is so similar. I agree with you about questioning my former Dr.'s assessment.
About my lumbar curvature--or shall I say my LACK of lumbar curvature. I inwardly wonder if that can be altered at my age (64). I do sit with a pillow at my back where a curve should be, and bought a comfortable, springy back support for my car seat.
I will continue on, you indicate that with time I may see improvements (it's been several months).
Does one need to do WW exercise (like the DVD workout) every day, or is working on posture enough..? I ask because it's not easy for me to do the DVD workout daily (time and privacy).
AG, do you have bladder symptoms with your POP?
Thank you for the encouragement.

Aging gracefully

October 22, 2015 - 2:29pm

Surviving is 65, and she does talk about lumbar curvature at an older age. She can chime in to give you her take on it.
You don't have to do a daily dvd, but it did help me to get the right muscles working to get the posture down, not everyone needs to do that, but I strongly suggest firebreathing, nauli, belly pumps, too. These can really make a difference in getting through those darker days of initial prolapse.

Yes, my bladder did present itself also. I had troubles urinating or getting a decent flow going sometimes. Hovering or leaning forward on toilet, plus jiggling and firebreathing before and after toilet use is very helpful.

p.s. Don't forget whole woman walking. This is a great way to work on all those posture principles!

Take2

October 22, 2015 - 2:33pm

Thank you, AG.
I will continue.
Nauli? At first, I couldn't do it without laughing at myself. I do what I can.
Belly pumps? Is that nauli, except you pump your belly up and down, rather than counter-clockwise?

Aging gracefully

October 22, 2015 - 2:36pm

Christine shows her belly pumps in some of her other videos. You are holdong the outbreath as with nauli, but you quickly pump your belly in and out. Feels really good when you get the sequencing down!

Surviving60

October 22, 2015 - 4:27pm

Yes, I started this work 5 years ago at age 60. I can well remember the first time I took a serious look at my lumbar curvature in profile in the mirror. I was very disappointed, because what I saw in the mirror was kind of ho-hum, in comparison to how extreme my curvature FELT to me. The posture had recently "clicked" and I felt a huge difference in how my torso was seated over my hip joints. I expected my curvature to look like it does in many of the photos I have encountered throughout Christine's work. It didn't then, but I have since discovered that it continues to increase little by little over the years. I do think there is a limit to how much curvature we can re-establish if we start this work later in life. But I am living proof that what CAN be accomplished is more than enough to help our hips and spine stay healthy, and manage our prolapse for a lifetime. I'm still seeing improvement!! - Surviving

Surviving60

October 23, 2015 - 6:49am

I believe that the best instruction on belly pumps is in the online course for pelvic organ prolapse (formerly Destination Prolapse Free). I'm glad for this reminder because I have been meaning to work on that move! Like firebreathing and nauli, it takes time and practice to master this tool but it is worth it. - Surviving

Aging gracefully

October 23, 2015 - 7:27am

Yes, I believe you are right, surviving. I think they are also in the 3rd wheel yoga DVD. Great sources of information!!

Take2

October 23, 2015 - 4:11pm

Thank you Surviving 60 and I relate to how you feel about not having much curvature.

Aging gracefully, do you find it helpful to manually push the cervix up each day?

Thanks to you both for answering questions you must hear over and over, to help those of us still learning.

Aging gracefully

October 23, 2015 - 4:39pm

I used to give it a manual shove, followed by the jiggling and firebreathing. Everything used to feel so much heavier back then, so the shove was helpful in getting some movement going. As I got farther into this work, the shove was easier to do, and now I don't really do that at all anymore.

lazymary99

October 24, 2015 - 7:28pm

anyone else have discomfort as they are sitting down? I've been living with the prolapse for over a year now, tried some vaginal cream the doctor said might help (it didn't) and haven't really started Christine's program yet...(I think I will start now...its getting more and more uncomfortable) but I just recently started with discomfort as I lowered into a chair. I worry that I may damage or cut the flesh that is protruding. I wear a panty liner at all times. Still have some incontinence, even after the bladder surgery I had years ago.
Also, someone mentioned a pissary as a way to push the protrusion back in. Is this safe?
any comments appreciated.

Surviving60

October 25, 2015 - 5:41am

Hi lazymary and welcome. I can tell from your post that you already know what you need to do.....get busy with the Whole Woman work. Can you tell us what kind of bladder surgery you have had? - Surviving

Aging gracefully

October 25, 2015 - 8:46am

Hi lazy mary,
If you are having dryness, you can use the honey that Christine suggests. It has done wonders for many of us!
Can you tell us a little more about what you think is protruding?

lazymary99

October 25, 2015 - 1:14pm

I don't remember what exactly the surgery was, it was for incontinence, done in 1993...never very successful. then maybe a couple years ago, the incontinence just went away...then about a year ago, I started noticing the "protrusion" and talked to my gyn...he had performed the bladder surgery...he said it was prolapse and to make sure I never was talked into surgery...but no help beyond that. I am pretty sure it is my uterus protruding...rather like a "soft bubble" of tissue coming out most of the time now.

Aging gracefully

October 25, 2015 - 2:58pm

Hi lazymary,
This is a great time for you to get into the whole woman work. If you have been reading the posts above, we do know how you are feeling.
Here is a copy of how to do the self exam:

https://wholewoman.com/library/content/articles/prolapseselfexam.pdf

It comes from the Saving the Whole Woman book which is a great way to start learning about what is happening to you prolapse-wise and what to do about it.

Surviving60

October 25, 2015 - 5:22pm

Yeah, soft bubble of tissue does not describe your cervix. It's a cystocele if on the front wall, a rectocele if on the back. But use the article AG posted above. As she says - it's in the book. - Surviving

lazymary99

October 25, 2015 - 6:56pm

tysm guys...I will take this test first, then on to the book!!