tightening ligaments possible?

Body: 

I am so frustrated. I just lost 25 pounds, have been doing yoga 2 times a week, walking, playing tennis, feeling great. Then I feel something weird, check between my legs and have my cervix greeting me in the mirror!!

I have always looked first to non-traditional treatment, and the thought of surgery makes me feel faint. My doctor says all other organs are where they belong, but my uterus has dropped ( I have slight urinary stress incontinence). She says that no exercise will strengthen my ligaments - ONLY the muscles, and that surgery is the only way. I've ordered the book, but until I read it, please tell me- at 55 years old, will I have to wear a pessary for the rest of my life as an safe alternative to surgery? What can I tell my 27 year old daughter (pre-pregnancy) to do so that this won't be her fate? Thanks from the heart for all answers.

ya I am determined to help my daughter (4) never get a prolapse. Did you read the FAQs yet?

I think the dr is half-right. no exercise will tighten ligaments, that's true. but surgery is NOT the only way. surgery can shorten ligaments, yes, but it carries a very high level of risk for other problems, including further prolapse.

read through the site, better yet, read the book as soon as you get it, the diagrams and descriptions are invaluable. the posture advocated here, as well as the exercises, are geared toward restoring pelvic alignment. aside from positioning the pelvic organs over bone so they are supported, over time the fascia and ligaments should begin to return to their original shape (I doubt they will completely, but I do think they can to some degree).

as far as your dd, she's a big girl....send her a link to this site. she's in a good spot, she can prevent prolapse by implementing the posture NOW and by learning about natural childbirth so that when she does have kids she'll be prepared to best support her body during the process.

and I can't say for sure, but you might not be wearing a pessary for the rest of your life. from what women have posted here, uterine prolapse responds fairly well to this program.

I read the website for about 3 hours and generally learned quite a bit. One thing that I'm finding different about me is that I can't get a pessary - or the "Instead softcups" to stay in! They all bend and fall out - so obviously either I'm doing something wrong, they're the wrong size (I've tried 3 sizes!), or my body has gotten to a point where nothing will stay up! I can get any of the appliances to stay up behind the pubic bone. Any suggestions? You want to laugh - I even tried doing it while in a yoga shoulder stand! As soon as I stood up, the device dislodged. I feel a pulling in my groin - I'm wondering if it's in my mind...?

Try using KY Jelly on a tampon. It will slide up much easier.

- Lilly Anne

It's not that it doesn't go up - it doesn't stay up no matter what I've tried so far. It slides right off the pubic bone, and lies sideway in my vagina until I use the toilet, when it falls out completely! Has anyone had more success with the donut looking pessary?

Yogam,

I have used the donut pessary successfully for about a year now. I have moderate/severe cystocele. I began feeling some rectal pressure a few months ago, so I stopped using the pessary for a while and now I use it only when I exercise or do a lot of strenuous walking. The donut can be difficult to insert - you have to squish it a bit and turn it sideways - it straightens itself out once it is inserted all the way. In my case, it stays in place nicely - I have only had it slip out a few times during bowel movements. It is easier to remove than to insert. I usually remove it when seated on the toilet, or in the pelvic self-examination position described by Christine (that's here on the forum somewhere). In my case, I never keep it in at night. As I continue to improve with posture, diet exercise, Whole Woman Fire Breathing, etc., I find that I need the pessary less and less often.
In short, I recommend giving the donut a try. If you get a good fit, it just might make your life a lot more comfortable.
Best of luck,
Jean