More at risk?

Body: 

Are women with prolapse more suseptible to any infections due to the very nature of increased exposure? For example, is sitting in a hot tub or swimming in a public pool putting a woman at risk since the cervix is exposed? Have often wondered about this and do not know if I am being naive or paranoid on the subject. Can anyone shed light on this? Have not heard any statistics or other info on whether this should be a concern to women with prolapse.

Hi 9oxford,

I was asked this a few days ago and here is how I responded:

Regarding the risks of living with prolapse, I have not heard of one case of infection here at wholewoman, on other forums, from the thousands of women I've spoken with over the years, nor in the medical literature. Anything can happen, but infection would be very unusual. I think excoriation and blunt injury would be greater risks. If a woman just cannot raise her prolapse inside her vagina, external support garments would certainly be indicated.

This quote didn't make it into my book, but I found it quite interesting:

"While CA (cancer) may develop, the relative immunity of the prolapsed cervix to malignant disease has long been remarked. The reason for this is not clear, though various hypotheses have been suggested. Smith, Graves, and Pemberton, for example, suggest that the dryness of the tissue and the freedom from irritation by vaginal secretions may be the important factors."

Novak E Novack E
Textbook of Gynecology
Williams & Wilkins 1952 P.308

The above text is on the medical library shelves at the University of New Mexico.

All that having been said, I avoid hot tubs and swimming pools. I’ve spent hours in cleans lakes and oceans with no ill affects.

Christine

Hi 9oxford

There was also a string on the Forum starting 26 February 2006, about just this topic. Plug "bathing with uterine prolapse" into the Search box on the left and you will pick it up.

Cheers

Louise