CYSTOCELE

Body: 

Hello,
I am new to the forum. Just ordered the book and DVD and am excited about trying the Whole Woman approach to dealing with my problem.

I am 66 years old, obviously post menopause and have a prolapsed uterus with cystocele and rectocele. My biggest problem is that my bladder does not empty completely and I have to make multiple trips to the restroom. Very inconvenient I can tell you! Besides frequency, and incomplete voiding I sometimes don't quite make it to the bathroom when I have to go. My GYN tried to fit me for a pessary, but I can't wear one, so GYN suggested hysterectomy. Also, while I have MOST of my pelvic organs, I had an ovary removed when I was in my 20's because of a very large cyst.

I am worried about doing some of the exercises because I recently had foot surgery which will take about 1 year to heal completely. I can't tolerate putting weight on my foot for extended periods of time. Hope this won't keep me from doing the exercises.

Anyone have suggestions or encouragement for me?

Thanks,

ESTATELADY

Welcome EstateLady! Only time and experience will tell how much exercising you can do while your foot is still in recovery. Be careful there! But you should be able to learn the Whole Woman posture and how to control and watch the angles and positions of your body. There are many different things you can do to help stabilize prolapse. You will devour the book! It changed my life. I've only recently (after a year and a half) ordered the video and I have picked up some new moves from that. Take care and good luck on your journey!

EstateLady, one thing that helps me tremendously is to get down on all fours (knees and elbows) from time to time, for a few minutes each time. I do it last thing at night and first thing in the morning. I didn't think the effect would last too long, but it seems to. Something you can easily do while your foot is healing. And really learn the posture, make it a habit. Breathe from the belly.

Hi and I welcome you too, EstateLady,

The concepts behind the WW work are really very simple. While every other therapeutic exercise system is trying to move the organs *up*, we are moving them *forward*. They belong right behind the lower belly and have fallen back to the vaginal opening, which is really behind us in WW posture.

We have tried everything known to (wo)man to move the organs forward over almost a decade at Whole Woman, and only a few things have stood the test of time. Those are the WW posture and certain associated exercises like walking, running, WW firebreathing and nauli - which you will see in the book and dvd. You can even improve your symptoms while sitting strongly pulled up into the posture.

If you can get down onto hands and knees, great, as there are several exercises that can be done from that position. I worked with an 88 year-old last week who had a bad knee and we did the firebreathing bent over a high cedar chest for support.

Your bladder will likely quiet down in time if you are being mindful of emptying it completely and avoiding irritating food and drink. In its prolapsed state, your bladder is actually lower than the opening into the urethra in conventional seated positions, so it never quite empties completely. By simply rocking forward onto your feet (lifting your weight off the seat), you are tipping your bladder into your lower belly, which is its anatomic position for emptying. There are instructions for this in the book as well.

Hysterectomy is a terrible response to prolapse and simply sets women up for further and often far more severe problems. The lost ovary should not prevent you from stabilizing your symptoms with this postural work.

I echo Surviving...please take great caution with your foot. Can you share what sort of foot surgery you had?

Wishing you well,

Christine