Uterine prolapse and cotton balls

Body: 

So, I have been hunting and pecking around this site on many different subjects, and came up with this cotton ball idea used for a pessary. I think I am being realistic in saying I don't think my uterus will ever go up over my pubic bone(it would be nice if it did). I believe from my reading that I do have a stage 3 prolapse of the uterus with probably some minor prolapse of my bladder and rectum.
I know I haven't been doing this that long, and I have been having some improvement. My cervix stays up away from my vaginal opening for the most part, and I have noticed my urine flow has increased--it used to be a thin stream. So,something is pulling up my parts. I really attribute this to the ww posture and those fabulous DVDs. The exercises really work on the muscles that hold the posture in place. That is amazing!!
Seriously, if I can just keep my cervix away from the opening of my vagina, I would be content, because I think I have lived with this for a lot longer than I was aware.

So, again, I come to cotton balls. I would like to use them so I can take walks without worry of my uterus falling out of me. My biggest fear!! I made the mistake of googling prolapse, and seeing in detail what could really happen. Arrrhg! Will never do that again.
By the way, I am keeping the old girl, she has served me well!

putting cotton balls up your vagina? 1. I'm not sure they will actually stay in the vagina nor do I know how many would be needed to pack the vagina for a pessary fit. 2. I would worry about all of the cotton ball fibers staying up there even after I removed the balls.

Start with an OB tampon instead? See if it stays in. Or maybe the sea sponges.

Actually, it was Christine who suggested the cotton balls in an older post. I just wonder with my degree of prolapse if it would even work.

I suppose if others have done it successfully then why not try it. No way you are going to figure out if it works or not if you don't give it a shot.

I'm finding all of this more and more interesting as the days go by. What secrets do all of us women share as we walk around this world? :)

Hello Aging Gracefully,

First of all, let's be clear that your uterus cannot fall out. I do understand the concern, and feel very blessed to be the one to tell you *never worry about that*. My profound, surgically-induced prolapse was fairly new when I took my children - then 15 and 17 - on a 6-week backpacking trip to Europe. There was no book, no website to help me understand that my uterus couldn't fall out and the three of us lived with that fear every time mom climbed over a fence or jumped off a wall. I was so angry during those years that having it fall out of me was preferable to lying down for the surgeons ever again.

You will very likely be able to keep your cervix inside the opening with this work - for the long term. It may stay low, but because you have not been surgically altered, I believe the possibility also exists that you will be able to see great change. Louise could see her cervix too, and now her uterus is fully "anteverted", or pulled forward.

The cotton balls are a hassle, and not remotely worth it if your uterus is inside. They do prop the uterus forward, which is wonderful, but are quite difficult to remove, as they work themselves deep into the corners of the vagina. I was having problems at times with mine rubbing on my labia, which were inflamed from post-menopausal alkalinity. A drop a honey each day resolves the inflammation and even helps the prolapse.

Christine

Thank you so much, Christine. Onward! And, upward!!