uterine suspension

Body: 

I read the mention of a utering suspension surgery in the announcement of the post surgery forum. I have not heard of such a thing before. What is a uterine suspension? I had thought that a prolapse could not be healed/reconstructed, only managed. Please let me know if it is possible to re-suspend a uterus, as the term utering suspension surgery seems to suggest. Thanks. Elizabeth

Hi Bertilsgirl

I have asked Christine, who wrote the introduction, to answer this question.

Louise

Uterine suspension in simple terms is to re-position the cervix that has fallen into the vagina [known as uterine prolapse] - there are many surgical procedures and some surgeons may use mesh to reinforce back into place.

Personally at the beginning of March when I saw privately one of the lead specialist consultants for prolapse I was diagnosed with cystocele grade 1 and rectocele grade 2 and this consultant recommended surgery to fix the bulges in my vagina. Since yesterday I discovered through the physio that in fact it is my cervix that has prolapsed and hence cystocele and rectocele. I was not told by this consultant that it was my cervix and more of a concern is if the cystocele and rectocele is fixed and the cervix is left the issue with prolapse will not be resolved, basically all three need to be fixed to which I am not having surgery, went to my GP this morning and we had a chat, I am feeling well and do not have symptoms of cystocele and rectocele, the prolapse that I feel it is the cervix - my GP agrees with me that prolapse will not get worse if we look after our bodies, avoiding lifting heavy items, straining, increasing walking and swimming will strengthen the pelvic floor muscles too. I apply HRT cream low dosage 1.0g three times a week to keep the vagina healthy, it is safe to use endorsed by my GP too.

I will only add that every conceivable way to try to suspend the uterus has been tried over the past 150 years. All have failed, which is the reason most surgeons continue to suggest hysterectomy - which also fails, but oh well.

Currently, the most common structures used in the operation are the uterosacral ligaments. These are not true ligaments, but connective tissue bundled with blood and nerve vessels. As explained in Saving the Whole Woman, severe nerve injury from “shortening” and “strengthening” these vessels can result in numbness, pain and tingling down the legs.

Like uterine ablation, uterine suspension places the uterus at risk for future hysterectomy.

Christine

Thanks much. I appreciate your concern. Elizabeth