POP - which organ is it?

Submitted by pompom12 on January 25, 2011 - 12:17pm
Body: 

Hi Everyone
I have had problems with POP for several years now and only recently came across the Whole Woman way of stabilising the problem.
At first I had no idea what was wrong physically and was quite frightened by the organ that appeared as a bulge very visible in the vagina.
I want to ask if it is important to know what organ is in fact protruding.
At first, I thought it was my bladder as mine is weak and of late I have had a couple of accidents. But now, because it seems to have an opening, I think it is my uterus. Does this make any difference?

I'm working again on my posture after leaving it for a while, which I now know was stupid.

I also want to ask if other women have the sensation, when standing, of putting alot of pressure exactly there where it should not be, on the vagina. I try to correct this but am not sure if this kind of Kegel exercise is useful or not.

I feel a bit sore inside and have noticed that the POP itself is slightly inflamed and bled very slightly just once., merely a smear, but I became anxious. I have been wearing sanitary pads because of the worry of not getting to the bathroom in time and wonder if these rub on the uterus causing inflammation. Can this kind of incontinence be helped?
As I live in Switzerland I'm not sure what kind of general cream I can use in that area and what is available here.
Thanks a lot for any help
Pompom12

louiseds

January 26, 2011 - 5:13am

Hi Pompom

I just read the first topic you posted right through and realised that in my most recent reply I addressed you as if you were a young Mum. Sorry about that.

You say in that thread that you have Christine's book. In that book there is a section called Self Examination. By reading that and doing the examination on yourself you will get to know which bits of you are where. It is a little confusing but take it slowly and I am sure it will become clearer.

You don't say how long you tried the posture for. It is really something that you need to commit to 24/7, for the rest of your life, and you might need to do it pretty consistently for a few weeks to see results. You will probably also experience temporary setbacks. It can feel a bit like ' two steps forward, one step back'. If you keep it up you should experience considerable improvement in three months, ie you will reallise that you are not noticing the bulge quite so often.

It really is like getting to know your body and what you do with it, all over again, as you discover new adjustments you can make to ways you go about tasks.

I figure that I am stuck with my POPs, but if I can avoid stirring them up I can get on with my life. The new ways I have been doing tasks for the last six years have now become so embedded that, while I am conscious of the effects of exerting myself on the symptoms that may result, I am not by any means letting them rule my life I can no longer pull myself out of the water onto a boat without my feet on the bottom, unless I have a ladder. I can no longer walk along the top of fences. I can no longer play an energetic game of netball. I can no longer wear strapless dresses. I can no longer be asked for ID because I no longer look too young to get into the pub. But I don't let these things rule my life either.

Life's good. Let us help you get your body better organised.

Louise

pompom12

January 26, 2011 - 9:11am

Hi Louise
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. I'll try what you suggest, yes, I have found the info in Christine's book. I'm a bit nervous about poking around inside (would you believe it after 7 children?)
I was so pleased when I read about the whole woman posture about 6 months ago but unfortunately life got in the way and I didn't keep it up. Now I have a few uncomfortable symptoms, like a sore and inflammed uterus, (if that is what my pop is), which is spotting a little blood.
I think it is my uterus by the feel of it. I used to feel inside when I was quite a bit younger to identify the state of the neck of the uterus, all to do with contraception at that time. What I see bulging from my vagina feels familiar.
What I have also noticed is when I half stand, at the end of peeing I notice that my POP is pulled back inside like a vacuum - this is a good feeling as I know it is back inside me again. Unfortunately it doesn't stay there. Is it wise to push the POP back inside?
Thanks so much again for your comments. I don't mind the "young mum" bit - it's quite a laugh.
:-)

louiseds

January 26, 2011 - 10:24am

Hi Pompom

Sure, it is fine to push it back in, but it is unlikely to stay in because it is not being pulled back in. Your half squat trick will work better.

I guess you have to see the benefit of the posture before you will commit to it?

It sounds like your uterus really doesn't like being where it is, any more than you like it. You are now faced with a question.

Do you really want to avoid surgery?

If the answer is that you are 'not sure', then I suggest that you read Saving the Whole Woman again, and ask yourself the question again. Only you can decide what you want, and what price you are willing to pay for that outcome.

If the answer is 'yes, then read Saving the Whole Woman Again, then ask yourself again. If you still say 'yes', then re-read some posts from those of us who have made Wholewoman techniques work well enough to get on with living. Then if you still say, 'yes', then go back to your doctor and have a serious discussion about getting on with it. You will also have to face the possibility of a less than perfect result of surgery, experiencing other problems as a result of the surgery, eg further prolapse, and having further surgical repairs in years to come. If the doctor is talking about hysterectomy, visit www.hersfoundation.com to find out all you need to know about the results of hysterectomy and the amount of damage it does to blood and nerve supply and the ligaments that support your pelvic and abdominal structure. This site has a very good list of things to ask your doctor if hysterectomy is suggested. I don't want to scare you, but surgery has many hidden problems that you need to know about if you go down that path. The decision is yours.

If the answer is 'no', then you have to ask yourself how much effort you are willing to put in to avoid surgery, and learn how to use your body to keep your uterus inside you.

This is quite possible, quite workable, even being an older woman, whose uterus is probably quite small by now.

You don't have to do the workout every day. You don't even have to do the workout. You don't even have to take a long walk every day. Wholewoman techniques all work to keep your uterus inside you. The more techniques you can throw at it, the sooner you will find some improvement. There are lots of ways you can accomplish the same goals, whether they be at work, at home, or any other time you think your uterus is low. You don't have to give up anything. You don't really have to do anything extra either. It is really a matter of using what you have in ways that are supportive of your pelvic organs (and better for your overall health in many ways).

How long did you try the posture for? What happened that you stopped trying?

As you don't feel very comfortable about exploring inside your vagina, that might be a good place to start, just getting comfortable again feeling around this very important part of you. Make friends with her again. Then you might feel more positive about looking after her better.

I would think the napkins might be aggravating your cervix, and might be the source of the spotting. Do you have annual PAP smears?

A vaginal moisturiser like Replens, or any good quality personal lubricant will reduce that friction. I find that oils last longer than water based lubricants. Olive oil is fine, but might make your knickers a little oily. Unfortunately Bliss Balm is no longer available but you can see how to make your own balm by viewing the video on red clover balm in the Kitchen of Christine's Cottage, just using a suitable oil and a little beeswax and a tiny bit of essential oil if you want a perfumed balm.

If you didn't have much success with the posture, perhaps you could buy a consultation with Christine, or even visit the Wholewoman Center, for some hands on help?

Lots of things to think about, Pompom.

Louise

pompom12

January 27, 2011 - 3:04am

Hi Louise
Thanks again for taking the time to answer so fully.
You asked if I'm considering surgery - the answer there is a clear no.
I'v had 7 children and always felt very attached and grateful to my uterus for doing so well in caring for my babies and carrying pregnancy after pregnancy. Hard work for any organ.
On that thought removing my uterus because it is "getting in the way" has never been a thought. Even before I came across Christine's book, to me it didn't make sense that removing an organ from the body would improve the situation. On the contrary, where the uterus was, this new empty space means all the other organs down there lose their stability.
This is pure logic. Operations here in Switzerland are the choice of the majority with problems, because of the influence of their doctors for one thing, but also because they know of no other way. Again, problems down there are still taboo, even amongst women, so you don't here the "what went wrong and why" stories after the ops.
So if I don't want surgery there is clearly no other way than to build Whole Woman techniques into my life and I see that it is a matter of awareness - standing, walking, working etc in the right posture.
Maybe I thought there was a lot more to it and time and patience were a problem.
Sometimes life gets in the way. My 7 children are all adult, the youngest being 23 years of age. Small children, small problems is the saying and there seems to be some truth in it. Two of my daughters have gone through divorces and needed a lot of help, sometimes practically, sometimes financially, most of the time just listening. My third daughter had anorexia for a couple of years which again caused a lot of worry and discussions burning the midlight oil. Now she is a lot better but suffers from anxiety. My husband is retired but belongs to the generation of men who never learnt to help around the house and garden. Probably his generation is the last here in Switzerland who never learnt. Modern young men and women are different. I also teach 50% and have quite a lot of correcting work to do at home. So life has been pretty busy over the last years and my own needs were put on the back burner.
This is one reason why I got out of practice with the techniques and posture. No excuse really.
I felt around in my vagina this morning and discovered that my finder can get all the way round the bulge apart from a small "attached" part at the front of the vagina, direction pubic bone. I can also push it quite far up inside. So this is more likely that my POP is in fact the uterus?
I have a lovely dog and take walks regularly but at the moment I'm a bit unsure if my posture is correct while walking. I looked in the mirror and established that lifting the breast, increases the spinal curve slightly. This is what is needed? I am quite aware of keeping the posture when walking and also when sitting and am trying to accommodate by adding cushions in the back when on a softer chair, just to keep me comfortable but upright.
I have a smear regularly. By the way, my doctor does not recommend an operation as even he said you end up with other problems. He does, however, recommend pelvic floor exercises. Is it ok to tighten around the vagina when walking or sitting. Could it be that my muscles in that area no longer function very well as I was given an episiotomy for most of my births - a thing I would refuse now with hindsight.
I would like to ask about the DVD that is coming soon showing good yoga movements, is it available yet.
I am also considering a consultation with Christine but should get some practice in first - maybe then I won't have so many questions.
Louise, once more thanks a lot, it is a real comfort and I can't emphasise that more, to be able to exchange info with people who are so informed and have had personal experience of POP