Unsure if I have a prolapse

Body: 

I think I might have a pelvic prolapse (not sure what type) sometimes it feels like there's something inside my vagina (like a small tampon) pushing against it. This feeling comes and goes. I have been to my doctor twice who examined me lying down and made me cough. She said there's no prolapse. But I'm not convinced. I had a UTI a month ago and was having trouble urinating and was straining a lot on the toilet and one night it felt like something 'dropped'. It was very scary! Around the same time I became mildly urinary incontinent (I leak urine when i exercise and after using the toilet) I'm 26 years old and have no kids. Do you think I have a prolapse or am I just imagining it?! Thanks

Hi and welcome, Alexandra,

Your instincts are your best guide. The youngest person we ever helped at WW was 16. We've helped a couple of 17 year-olds, and several 19 year-olds. Girls who have never had sex. A few weeks ago I was visited by a lovely 31 year-old who had never been pregnant with full-blown cystocele-rectocele. I think it's safe to say many girls are no longer developing fully, as they lead less active lives and spend more time in soft furniture and car seats.

Begin the WW work! This is simply a posture and lifestyle change - specifically a healthy diet and never straining against the toilet seat again. Simply rock forward and put your weight on your feet every time you have to increase intraabdominal pressure. Check out the FAQs.

There is no reason this needs to be progressive at all in a young woman. In fact, your uterus is trying to keep your bladder forward and this is why your symptoms are intermittent. Help it along by learning to tip your organs into the lower belly through natural posture.

Wishing you well,

Christine

Hi Christine thanks for replying. My doctor has suggested I see a continence nurse to help with the urine leakage. I think it's the prolapse causing the incontinence (not sure though) I'm very anxious and unsure if I even have a prolapse because I dont really know what to look (or feel) for in my vagina. It just doesn't feel right. I will have a look at the FAQ's. Thanks again.

Hi alexandra,
Welcome to the WW community. I'm so pleased you found this site - and hope you find it really helpful.
Re diagnosis. It's worth bearing min mind that the pelvic organs are quite motile; they need to be able to move to some extent because of potential pregnancies and to a lesser extent monthly menstrual cycles and phases in women's lives. So a pelvic organ prolapse is not a fixed state. I's quite possible for the degree of a woman's pop to vary throughout the day or day to day/week by week etc. So it's quite possible for women to receive different diagnosis' during different examinations.

So perhaps your doctor found no sign of a pop, but perhaps you experienced some form of prolapse prior to that day. If so, the good news is that your pelvic organs regained normal positions.

The best thing you can do in do in any event is to gain at least a good badic knowldege about the WW approach; female pelvic organ anatomy, the WW posture and exercises, the WW way to pee and poo and never ever strain whilst sitting on the loo, healthy diet and life-style - and to relax and love the life you live as far as possible. The WW approach is a path which promotes health and happiness to the max!

Good luck with your interview with the continence nurse. She'll probably suggest kegels/pelvic floor exercises - which from the WW point of view aren't going to change things a great deal.

It sounds as if it might be helpfyl to gain more information and knowledge around pop issues. I highly recommend Christine's 'Saving the WW'. It really is a wonderful reference and resource for life. My copies well thumbed and down at heel by now! I also found the 1st Aid to Prolapse dvd offered graet expalnations and info re prolapse issues. I think just being better informed helps to feel more in control and empowered.

Wishing you all the best, xwholewomanuk