prolapse

Body: 

I just recently found this "bulge" in my vagina, self-diagnosed, read from traditional medicine and then found you, Christine Kent, thank goodness. Must purchase the book, but I mistakenly sent and email with my question about Kegel exerciser which apparently is addressed in your book. I'll read - most definitely! However, I do have degenerative disk disease (4 levels involved); Pilates was very difficult for me. Do you expect that these exercises will be compromised by my lumbar condition? I'm 59 years old and went through early menopause - onset at age 38. Recently I have begun taking natural hormones and I'm asking your opinion on the relationship of these hormones to the prolapse I have found since starting on these. This forum, etc. is new to me - hope I'm not abusing. Thank you so much. MB

Welcome MB,

Hope I can be of some help to you. I don't address the kegel exerciser in the book. Some women have found them moderately helpful.

I'm getting into unfamiliar territory by advising on such compromised conditions as yours. It is my belief however, and one that is supported by the best (if not the most followed by the practice) of orthopedic medicine, that degenerative disc disease is both caused by and aggravated by loss of the lumbar curve. When we stand with a flat lower back, the energy that is flowing between our upper and lower body is moved into a more posterior pathway - to the back of the discs. This makes them weak and much more vulnerable to herniation. It seems to me that you would be a great candidate to slowly and gently incorporate the posture into your life (I would forego the exercise routine for now) and see if you are able to strengthen your lumbar spine by returning its natural curvature. I say this very cautiously, however, and ask that you get further advice from your doctor.

I don't believe there is any relationship between hormones and prolapse and do believe there is no such thing as a "natural" hormone on the market.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Thank you for the reply. My first ##### "went" dramatically as a result of trauma; the other compromised disks gradually deteriorated apparently as a result of the change in the integrity of the column. I've always held knees higher than hips (sleeping, driving, sitting) - this will be a quite different approach - a very slow one, I['m afraid.\

The natural hormones are out of Dr. Richard Lee's research. Does that make a difference?

As far as my doctor is concerned, there is none. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Thanks again. It's nice of you to take your time with this forum. MB

I believe it was John Lee who popularized the notion of "natural progesterone." Follow-up studies by other researchers have not been able to reproduce his results.