New here with a few questions

Submitted by gemommy on February 5, 2009 - 5:17pm
Body: 

I hope this is the right place to post. I also hope this is not too long and rambling. I'm 34 and a mother of two little ones (2 yrs/4.5 yrs). I still nurse my 2 year old. I discovered my prolapses about 1 week ago. My biggest problem is my rectocele. My bladder is also coming down a bit. My uterus is retroverted (before/after each pregnancy) and seems to be not too low, for now. However, I think it presses on my rectum sometimes. Is it possible for my uterus to move to the proper forward position using the whole woman system? Or could it just stay in the same position, but not prolapse any further? I'm just wondering what is possible. Also, I just got my book and will read it as fast as I can.

I had bad cystitis about 2 months ago. Yet, even when the infection went away I still had strange pain behind my pubic bone. I also had a sensation of heaviness in my pelvis. Then, I had a strange brown bleeding for 4 days after my period. I went to my gyn for a check. She discovered uterine/bladder tenderness and send me for an ultrasound. They found a small polyp in my cervical canal. Gyn says that it might go away on its own and shouldn't really be the cause of my pain. I now think the pain was/is just my organs heading south. I called my gyn after I discovered the prolapses. She said when she examined me I didn't have them, and that I should go to a urogyn. I called and their next appointment was for one month from now. I didn't make the appt. because I figure they will just recommend surgery, and I certainly do not want to be cut up.

My really bad symptoms started with a strange constipation and pain 5 days before my period that I'm having now. I have what seem to be normal, healthy bowel movements in the morning. Then, in the afternoon or evening I feel an urge to go, but nothing comes out. I finally reached in with a gloved finger to find marble-size pieces stuck in a cavernous rectum. This has been happening every day since then and brings me to tears. I have used laxatives and enemas a few times. Is it typical to have the symptoms come on so fast and furious?

I know it didn't all just start now. I've always been a tailbone and tummy tucker. I'm sure my births also contributed to weakening the area. They were both vaginal and unmedicated, but the first one was a long, difficult posterior birth, and the second was with an almost 10 pounder who came out quickly. Also, in my teens and twenties I had IBS with constipation. I developed hypothyroidism after my second birth. Since on being on Armour thyroid for over a year, I rarely have constipation. I also take a physiologic dose of hydrocortisone for adrenal fatigue which I plan to wean from in a few months.

We have been TTC #3 for several months. I have been having short luteal phases (probably because of nursing) and my saliva tests showed low progesterone. I decided to try progesterone cream on my last cycle. I started one day after ovulation and continued until 2 days before I expected my period. I am wondering if using this cream could have lowered my estrogen levels, thus making my prolapses worse. I know I started to have symptoms before I started the cream, but since the cream my symptoms are 100 times worse. Maybe it is just a coincidence, and it was going to happen anyway. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thank you in advance for any help. This is site is amazing and I'm so grateful to have found it.

granolamom

February 5, 2009 - 7:17pm

welcome to the site
only have a few minutes, but wanted to start responding to some of your questions/concerns

YES it is definitely possible to move the uterus to its proper forward position using the wholewoman program. in fact, that's the whole point of the posture and exercises. it is also possible to stabilize the uterus and prevent further prolapse. lots of women here have experienced reversal of prolapse to one degree or another.

don't know anything about polyps and pain, but typically, pelvic organ prolapse shouldn't cause pain. discomfort and pressure, yes, but pain should be checked out.

I also am not the expert on constipation, but if you type 'constipation' into the search box, you're sure to bring up tons and tons of posts. its a frequent topic here.

low progesterone is associated with short luteal phases. so that's no surprise that you had both. could be related to the nursing, but not necessarily. I have no experience with progesterone cream, I didn't think it could lower estrogen levels, thought it only raised the progesterone.
could also be coincidental that your symptoms worsened when you began using it, being that many of us experience worsening of symptoms during ovulation and shortly before a period.

I've never read it, but have heard that the book 'taking charge of your fertility' is a worthwhile read. I keep meaning to pick it up at the library, as I've always had irregular cycles. I tend to have short luteal phases as well. they were at their shortest when my prolapse became symptomatic (coincidence?). once I started a major diet overhaul, my cycles became much more regular and cramp-free. lately I've been lax and having too much chocolate and cheese, and have just had the worst cycle I've had in 3 years. so its back to no dairy/no caffeine for me.

all of these things; constipation, prolapse, cystitis, ibs, pelvic pain, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, short luteal phase/low progesterone might be somehow related. very often when you start addressing one area, the other pieces begin to fall into place.

read the book, it will give you a sense of where to begin (posture and diet!) and come back with any and all questions you have.

I have to get back to bedtime now

louiseds

February 5, 2009 - 11:48pm

HI Gemommy

While I was reading your post I was sitting here nodding my head and smiling knowingly. All the symptoms you talk about are pretty classical, as are your questions. I can only reiterate what Granolamom has said. I would have written exactly the same.

Just wondering if the polyp is in the vagina or inside the cervix?

I have had three vaginal births and my uterus was always retroverted right back to having my first internal exam before my first pregnancy. You can find my whole story in the Personal Stories Forum. However, since adopting WW posture it is often in normal postion. My organs move around all the time. I just reposition them when I feel vaginal fullness and use my body properly and they more or less stay put, with my cervix often several centimetres up my vagina. This is pretty good, compared to when it used to sit right at the entrance, trying to peek out.

We take it for granted being able to manipulate our fertility. However, sometimes this is unnecessary. I figure that your body will ovulate and get pregnant in its own good time when your current babe weans. From my personal experience of DD weaning herself when I was 5 months pregnant with DS2, I am pretty sure that pregnancy does change the milk. I was not expecting to get pregnant with DS2, so it was a lovely surprise. I am so happy that it happened by itself, after the worrisome infertility treatment I had prior to the first two pregnancies. I think expecting progesterne cream to help you conceive with a nursing toddler might be pushing s*** up hill. Just relax and let it all happen. DD will wean in her own good time. Once your babies have grown up into teenaged monsters, memories of nursing time will be so precious.

Cheers

Louise

gemommy

February 6, 2009 - 12:20pm

granolamom, thanks for reading and responding to my post. i appreciate your time. 'taking charge of your fertility' is one of my favorite books. i re-read it all the time. this is where i got the idea to try the progesterone cream. i wanted to try it not only for fertility enhancement, but also to reduce bad pms symptoms. it is supposed to balance out the estrogen. this is why i thought maybe it could lower it a bit. oh well, i am not going to use it again. i am putting off ttc for quite a while. getting pregnant now with my rectum in such a shape sounds hellish. i am reading the book. thanks again.

gemommy

February 6, 2009 - 12:54pm

louiseds, thanks for responding to my post. the polyp is in my endocervical canal, not in my vagina. it can only be seen with transvaginal ultrasound.

your experience makes me feel hopeful that my retroverted uterus can right itself with hard work and dedication on my part.

also, i am ovulating. the ultrasound confirmed this. i have been having cycles since ds was 10 months. it is the short luteal phase caused by low progesterone that is the problem. I had the same problem after #1 was born. i conceieved #2 when #1 was 2 yrs old and still nursing. she weaned herself when i was 7 months pregnant. i know that #2 will wean himself when he is ready. i'm not looking to rush him.

i tried the progesterone for fertility enhancement and for bad pms symptoms that i've had for a long time. anyway, as i wrote in my previous reply, i'm done with progesterone cream. i do not want to get pregnant for a long time now. i know my body will work things out. i just wanted to help things along a bit. i am also worried that my fertile days may be over soon. I will be 35 in a few months, and i got my first period at 9 years old. i worry that if i wait too long my chances for a third baby will be gone. i would never try any fertility treatment beyond progesterone cream. also, my dh is 10 years older than i. i wanted to get things done before age makes things too difficult. i realize this is not a good way to think. we can't control things this way. i guess it took having prolapses to teach me this. i wish it could have been a milder lesson, but oh well.

louiseds

February 7, 2009 - 10:12pm

Hi Gemommy

I have come to the conclusion that the dreaded retroverted uterus is nothing to worry about. I know that historically it has been 'associated' with a number of ailments and symptoms, but quite honestly, I think that 'associated' is about the extent of it. I don't think it causes anything bad to happen. Now I think it is a *result of* non-Wholewoman posture for a long period of time, which put stresses on ligaments and uneven forces on muscles because the woman's whole pelvic area is being held at a non-natural resting angle, and the structures that hold all the organs in their positions are not in equilibrium. In this non-Wholewoman posture the uterus is directly above the vagina and the pelvic floor muscles are literally a floor which is slack, so it does sag and allow the organs to move downwards if allowed. Some time ago Granolamom drew the analogy of a room with curtain tacked lightly to windows. Tilt the room and the curtains will hang at a weird angle, and will eventually fall off. Keep the room straight and the curtains will not move anywhere.

In Wholewoman posture you move the breasts upward and the pelvis tilts forward, the coccyx lifts away from the pubic bones and the ischial spines separate with the result that the pelvic floor shifts to diagonal (becoming a stabilising wall, rather than horizontal floor) and becomes taut like a drumskin. The uterus and bladder move forwards over the pubic bones, so there is less flopping around in there. You can find a much better, and well-illustrated explanation of this phenomenon in Saving the Whole Woman edition 2.

BTW, did the progesterone cream do anything good for the PMS?

Cheers

Louise

gemommy

February 8, 2009 - 12:08pm

Hi Louise,

Thanks for the info on retroverted uterus. My main concern with it is that it is not properly positioned. I think this causes me more back pain and rectal disturbance than it would if it were in the forward position. Other than that I don't think it is such a terrible thing. Obviously it didn't affect my ability to get pregnant and carry my babies full-term. Anyway, I am doing the posture every waking minute. I am also doing downward dog every opportunity I get. I am making my way through the book. With two little ones at my feet all day, this is challenging, but I am getting it done.

Speaking of uteruses, I have another question. If with the posture work and exercises, my uterus starts to move forward, might it start to slip down along the way. I feel like maybe that is happening. Yesterday, after a difficult bm, i reached in to put my enormous rectocele back in place. i felt something hard and accidently poked it. I think it was my cervix. I had bad cramping pains for the rest of the day. It scared me so much. The last time I checked my cervix was fairly well inside to the left. This time it was on the right and low. My period is ending now, so I thought it would kind of go a bit higher. Today the cramping has subsided, but I am too afraid to reach in again. I know things tend to come down together, and I guess I should accept this. When the cervix is so low, how does one manage to not touch it?Mine is so sensitive. I will cramp all day if it is touched with any pressure whatsoever. Maybe this is because of my polyp. I don't know. All I know is that this body of mine is frustrating me beyond belief.

As far as the PMS and progesterone goes, I think it improved it a bit. It was kind of hard to tell because of the prolapse related pain, pressure, and rectocele behavior. One thing it did improve for sure is my luteal phase. I had a 14-day one instead of a 10-day one. However, I was so ready for my period to start and be over that I was very anxious during the extra 4 days. I give up trying to manipulate my cycles. I'll take PMS any day over taking the chance that the extra progesterone is having a negative affect on my organs.

Thanks again,
gemommy

louiseds

February 8, 2009 - 9:22pm

Hi Gemommy

The extra pain might be a factor. Many of my early periods were like posterior labour (which I found out about with my third). I guess it makes sense if the uterus is pressing on the sacrum. I am sure that menstruation is also an imflammatory condition. Otherwise, why is there so much pain and discomfort and irritability of tissues. I usually get constipated, then diahorrea during menstruation. I don't think it is as bad these days but I am near menopause so everything is getting milder, except occasionally I get a period which is a real horror.

I think if you just keep doing what you are doing you will get some improvement.

I remember now, that my cervix used to be off to one side, then I had a period of hard physical work and everything descended further. However, my cervix centralised itself, and though my organs were lower, I no longer had as much discomfort and pain during menstruation. They have now moved up a bit again. I feel so much better now I am not lop-sided. Maybe it is the sideways pressure that is causing the irritation?

I wouldn't mind betting the polyp has something to do with the sensitivity of your cervix. It is so hard to work out cause and effect when you know there are several factors at work. I think you just need to forget what the doctor said (as s/he found nothing life-threatening) and just concentrate on the sensations you get, and when and where you get them. Zone in on your own body. Diary it and you may pick up what is actually happening month by month.

Cheers

Louise

gemommy

February 8, 2009 - 11:22pm

Hi Louise,

I can't thank you enough for sharing your wisdom with me. I will diary and figure out what my patterns are. I feel so grateful to have found this forum with such lovely women who help each other find their way through the rocky roads of POP.

Warm regards,
gemommmy