lowback pain after insertion of gelhorn pessary

Hi Sweetiepie,

Could you tell us please, do you have your uterus?

Christine

These “shelf” pessaries invariably create more problems than they solve. Look at any illustration of a gellhorn pessary and you will see that the conventional understanding of female pelvic anatomy has the pessary positioned inside the vagina like a shelf. The idea is that the vagina is like a tree trunk holding the uterus up above. Giving the uterus something to “sit on” is of course the perfect solution.

However, in reality the vagina is a closed, airless space (a flattened tube). The back vaginal wall clamps down sharply against the front vaginal wall, protecting the vagina from the forces of intraabdominal pressure. When the vagina is held open by one of these pessaries, it becomes vulnerable to surrounding organs being squeezed into its space. Because the pessary is holding the bladder forward, it is usually the back vaginal wall that becomes symptomatic. Many women have reported new-onset or worsening rectocele with pessary use.

Now, the vaginal walls will not hold the pessary in that position, but will flip it vertically in trying to close naturally. Look at the gellhorn illustration again, and rotate the image in your mind so that the pubic bones are underneath the torso (as they truly are) instead of out in front like a chimpanzee. Notice that the knob of the pessary is pressing against the upper back vaginal wall, which is in close proximity to the tailbone and sacral nerve roots. Back pain is no surprise.

Doctors have always known that pessaries are not a long-term solution to prolapse. The gynecologic explanation is that pessaries stretch vaginal tissues, therefore women require larger and larger sizes of pessaries over time. However, the vagina is like an accordion with many folds (rugae), which are designed to allow for enormous stretching. It is much more logical that pessaries hold the vagina open to the forces of intraabdominal pressure, which in turn allows surrounding organs to be pushed into its space.

Most of the old-timers here get enough result with the WW work to make messing with a pessary unnecessary.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Yes, because the bladder bulge is now lower than the entrance into the top of your urethra, you must tip your bladder forward to empty fully (think of turning over a pail of water). This is fully explained in practically all of my products, but especially in the fundamentals video.

We have a very gentle program called First Aid for Prolapse for Elders that you may find very beneficial.

The Whole Woman Solution to Urinary Incontinence is also revolutionary because it describes a new model of urinary continence that is evidenced in our development as human beings.

It is essential that women understand their true anatomy, so they are clear about *why* they are doing the WW work. I tell every woman I speak with that this is work for the rest of our lives. And I don’t mean “work” in a conventional sense, but rather the strength and peace of mind that arise from living fully in our natural, intended shape.

I wish for you a complete recovery.

Christine

When you click on the Store, then you will see some categories on the left-hand side of the screen that you can choose. Do some browsing there, and come back on if you need help. - Surviving

you are not alone. The pessary could be pushing on a pelvic muscle with is associated with the femur or sacral muscles. It is all connected. I have had the same issue. I have a pessary that I use on occasion because of that reason!