How to find cervix/uterus??

Submitted by fc12 on July 30, 2009 - 5:17am
Body: 

I know this sounds like a really stupid question but I've been trying to see whether my, in addition to cystocele and rectocele, my uterus has also prolapsed.

I've looked and felt extensively in my vagina and I'm not sure whether my cervix/uterus is. I have followed the directions of the self-exam and haven't had any success. I thought I found it but when I tried to 'push' it up to the top of my vagina, it seemed attached to the back wall and only went up so far.

It seems I can stick my finger (and some) all the way up a passage (my cervix???) and at the end of that feel (just) a small, hard lump. Would I be able to do that if my uterus had prolapsed?

It's very messy inside. I can definitely feel the cystocele and the rectocele but I'm just not sure of the uterus prolapse. I've been having new, irritating and bad symptoms and wondering whether they are linked to uterus prolapse. I feel more pressure and my vulva feels quite raw from the pressure and also perhaps some thrush or vaginitis.

Anyway, just checking to see if there are any tips to find your uterus???

Thanking you in advance.

Fc12

louiseds

July 30, 2009 - 10:47am

Hi FC12

It sounds to me like your uterus is retroverted, ie it comes out of the back wall of the vagina, and is flopped backwards over your rectum, instead of out of the front vaginal wall. This means that it is not able to rest against the front abdominal wall, where it belongs. It also means that your vagina is pushed forwards by the uterus, so there is no right angle relationship between the vagina and uterus, so intraabdominal forces are directed more straight down the vagina, rather than across it.

My uterus used to be retroverted, and this is what I used to find. The cervix was on the back wall, that would not move up to the top of the vagina. The passage is just your vagina. The cervix is quite small, too small to put your finger up, though it does open up slightly at ovulation time and probably menstruation.

I wouldn't worry about your uterus. Lots of women have a retroverted uterus. Mine flipped over into normal presentation about two or three years after starting Wholewoman posture, but moved down at the same time, and straightened up, rather than pointing to the left. It was already much lower than normal at the time. But it feels no worse, and is usually well inside now, sometimes two knuckles in, which is great. I was in perimenopause at the time, so it is hard to tell what caused what. Some people think retroverted uterus can cause pain, menstrual difficulties, infertility and all sorts of things, but when you have POP, that all becomes kind of insignificant! Maybe it contributes to rectocele by pressing down on the rectum and pushing it out into the vagina. Certainly, Wholewoman posture will tend to tilt it forwards where it belongs, and take the pressure of your rectum if there is any pressure on the rectum, and reposition your vagina and reinstate the right angle that protects against further prolapse. You may find at some point that it has flipped forward into normal presentation by itself if you maintain WW posture as much as possible.

AnneH, 25 July, 12.56, in "Can someone explain this?" posted a couple of links to MRI images of female pelvic region. One is retroverted, so you can probably relate the picture of that MRI scan to what you felt. It feels quite different from what Christine described. I wouldn't call it messy, just different.

Louise

alemama

July 30, 2009 - 11:08am

sounds to me like you found your cervix. It is that little hard bump at the top. and if you have to go searching for it like that then you do not have to worry about uterine prolapse

sorry you are having more symptoms- the burning and pressure.
what are you doing for them so far?

fc12

July 30, 2009 - 6:00pm

I did a bit of research online re looking for your uterus and from those directions and descriptions it sounds more like the cervix is still far(ish) away (fingers crossed).

But I'm definitely going to embark upon greater inspection and look more closely for signs of a retroverted uterus . I'm just a bit confused how you can have a uterus that sits off the back wall but also a long vaginal cavity with ends with a bump? However, my anatomy is shite so what the hell would I know. The thing I found that I thought might have been my uterus was not very big - a quarter of a pinky finger - is the uterus this size once it's prolapsed into the vagina?

RE burning and pressure - no I haven't done anything yet because I'm trying to sort out what's going on. I think I may have an infection because the vulva is sore to touch (feels rawish) and feels bruised. Will try and check it out but it's driving me insane. I just thought perhaps my uterus had dropped and was adding to these symptoms. I know my cele is a bit worse but doesn't feel that much worse inside.

thanks for all your help guys
fc12

louiseds

July 30, 2009 - 9:14pm

By "...that I thought might have been my uterus was not very big - a quarter of a pinky finger...", did you mean your cervix, rather than your uterus. During childbearing years the uterus is about fist sized. during menopause it shrinks down really small (a bantem hen's egg?).

A good lube and or a nappyrash cream, and go without knickers might help if it is chafing. Keeping your pubic hair longer also provides some friction protection. Don't know whether or not I suggested this before.

L

fc12

August 2, 2009 - 6:31pm

Yes, I did mean my cervix rather than my uterus. It would be sensical that it was bigger than 1/4 pinky finger.

Yes, I think I have bad thrush which has not manifested in typical ways (extreme itching, cottage-cheese like discharge).I have had burning, chaffing sensation with slight itching, much increased discharge, and swollen-lips with redness. Might also be vaginitis. Bottom line is, I need to get it checked out!

I've been thinking the symptoms of vaginal irritation are inevitably prolapse systems as I assume they are getting worse. But have been religiously in posture, doing a lot of nauli and the DVD exercises everyday so I'm not sure now.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have A LOT of nappy rash cream hanging around the house so it puts it to use!

fc12