pessaries

Body: 

I'm a newbie and believe that this website is a godsend to me! I had inquired about surgery the day that I came across this wonderful site. Well, now I'm more determined than ever to not have it. A doctor told me I needed a hysterectomy b/c of uterine prolapse a year and a half ago. It didn't sit well with me and I began my search for any other way to deal with this and had just given up when I landed at WW. I don't remember how I even found it! It had to be God!!! I just finished reading the book and am beginning to do the workout. I would like to find another healthcare professional who's more open to natural alternatives. Is there a list of them somewhere? Also, I need immediate help while I get my body back to its original design, and am considering sea sponges. Has anyone used them and could you share any tips, inserting them? Are there applicators? Lubrication needed? What about wild yam bodacious body butter? Other types of lubrication recommended? Thanks

You are at the beginning of a journey which will hopefully bring you some relief, and give your life back. I too was recommended for hysterectomy and hitch ups five years ago. I am now just as active as I was prior to that, and my pelvic organ prolapses (all three) are behaving well enough to not limit me. Sorry, but I ditched the pessary that was prescribed many years before, and have no need for one now, though there are some women who find that a well-fitted pessary is a wonderful help. I am sure they will respond. So glad you went ahead and purchased both book and DVD. They will give you an ongoing understanding of how your body works, as well as guidance on exercise.

Cheers

Louise

Thank you for responding, Louise. I finally feel that I have support after feeling SO ALONE for so long. This is a health issue that is just never talked about and pretty embarrassing to reveal. I really needed to connect with a real person who understands what I am going through. My husband feels sorry for me but can't fully understand a woman's problem:) When I saw that someone actually read what I wrote and responded I just burst out crying...wow...wasn't expecting that! I am not a highly emotional person, so it really surprised me. Just shows me how deeply this situation has affected me and I want to help anyone else who is also suffering from this. You've given me new hope!!

Tx again

Lillian

Your story is similar to mine. A doctor told me I needed a hysterectomy and it didn't sit well with me either, so I researched it and came upon this site too. I have ended up trying a couple of pessaries, the one I have now I like a lot but don't need to wear all the time. I have learned so much and am more and more convinced that the surgeries are not the right answer for me. It's been several years and I'm living with it.

I got some sea sponges. good gracious they were scratchy- so I cut them smaller and tried again and again I felt like I was dragging sand paper up there- yowza. I still have an unopened package and want to try again but will wait a while. I have not tried a pessary yet. You may like to sew some floss into your seasponge and lie down to insert it.
I felt the same way you did when I got here-I have no clue what got me here either but feel it has been such a blessing in my life.

Hi Lillian!
Justa couple of comments about sea sponges...

From an 1871 surgical handbook (of uterine therapeutics!) I read the comment that for a sponge pessary, an "UNCUT regularly shaped oval sponge, about two inches
in diameter, should be chosen, for the natural surface of the sponge irritates the vagina much less than the cut surface of the same sponge." On reflection, seems extremely sensible - if not downright obvious - though I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere. The usual advice is to cut and shape it.
Also, I've just newly tried them & can echo the previous WW 'scratchy' comment. Mind you, there ARE different qualities (you can research online), and the Silk ones are said to be softer and less harsh. As for lubrication, I'm told that an aqua-gel is preferable to an oil-based gel. There are comments elsewhere on this site re. attaching strings safely, etc. Use the Search facility.
Lemme know how you get on; I haven't solved this one myself yet!