Hello everyone,
I am 21, never been pregnant and discovered what I'm sure is a uterine prolapse about 6 months ago (I stumbled upon the term while searching menstrual cup forums-- I did not go searching for symptoms). My vaginal canal has always been unusually short--I've never been able to insert tampons without pushing them up alongside my cervix, even the short non-applicator ones. The first time I felt around in there (around age 14) I was terrified that I would never be able to have sex because I could feel my cervix easily, and to the end of my vagina in every direction. However, I only started noticing symptoms after I began reading about prolapse.... coincidence? Maybe.. I have also convinced myself wrongly that I have MANY other medical conditions. True hypochondriac.
However, it's hard to argue with cold hard evidence--I usually reach my cervix with only the first inch of my middle finger inserted, never quite two knuckles usually less. It rests just above the pc muscles and raises a bit when I contract them (they are pretty strong). Although I never made a point of measuring cervix height before I knew about prolapse, I'm sure a cervix that low would have set off alarm bells--and it never did, so I assume it was never that low. I now experience vaginal pressure, feeling like something's about to pop out, and discomfort with using tampons (which have to go a bit sideways--always have). Mostly, worry that it's getting worse. I have to pee a lot, but I always have so that's pretty normal.
To my knowledge, no rectocele or cystocele, although possible cystocele (not sure how firm the vaginal wall is supposed to be...) Nothing is poking out. My vaginal entrance is tight--even for two fingers! (only had sex once... for a few seconds). I think I might have recently developed a retroverted uterus--cervix used to stick out of the front wall, sometimes sinking into the back wall. Now, it points mostly straight towards the entrance, and I can feel something hard behind it on the posterior side... hm. I've tried pushing it back up, but it's pretty fixed-seeming (also slippery to get a grip on.. haha) also, doesn't seem to move tooo much when I lie down.
This whole thing is really freaking me the F*** out. I'm only 21!!!!!! I used to be an athlete!!!!!!! (until I tore my ACL). Have always been, still am slim, fit, in shape, eat well. The only things I can think of are on and off bad coughs, and occasional constipation. Maybe bad posture, maybe overly strong abs.... this makes me so angry. I've never had a boyfriend, always been suuuuper shy, and how will I ever have the confidence to pursue a relationship with this hanging over me?? I don't even know if I can have comfortable sex! No genetic predisposition, far as I know. My mom has NO lumbar curve, and no prolapse either. And she had me at 39!!
I've been doing the posture for a few months, and not straining, and trying to figure out nauli sometimes but it's hard becuase I can in no way afford the book/dvd to help with specifics.... (poor college kid). I guess what I'm mainly worried about is this (not that there's really an answer): Since this did not come about due to childbirth, do I actually have youth on my side on this one? Or is the fact that I developed this so young a bad sign that it will just get worse in the future? Also, since I've always had a fairly low cervix, does this set me up for a worse prolapse? or is it not actually as bad as I think because of where it started? So far, with all the WW I've been doing, it has not gotten better, maybe a bit worse symptom-wise.
I'm worried for the rest of my life. I do not want to be scared to be active, or in any way inhibited. I maybe want to have kids. I lost my athletic career once, which TOTALLY devastated me. Now this???? I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! Scared. Angry. Don't feel like I can talk to ANYONE.
Lastly, this forum has given me maybe my only source of comfort since I've been dealing with this. Thank you all for being so wonderful. I wish everyone luck and appreciate any and all responses.
G.
p.s. haven't had the guts to ask my doc about this, but had my first pelvic exam after discovering it and she said everything was normal..... which comforted me until I found this site
louiseds
December 27, 2012 - 1:38am
Permalink
Welcome, June.
Hi June
If your doctor said everything is normal, there is a strong possibility that it is all normal. When we lie down for an examination all our organs kind of fall backwards, and the belly becomes much flatter than standing. It kind of collapses.
We are all built differently. I have read that there is a lot of variation in length of vagina, just as there is variation in length of penis in men.
You do seem to have a good grip on what is what inside your vagina, and you have picked up the hard lump behind the cervix, which is probably your uterus. It does sound like your uterus is retroverted, at least on one side. I don't know what would have caused it, but I am pretty sure that posture is a major factor, ie the uterus simply gets pushed back when we breathe with our chest, shoulder and rib muscles, flatten the belly by butt tucking and tummy sucking, locking the chest down, straightening the lumbar curve, and straightening the angle between abdominal and pelvic cavities, which then directs intraabdominal forces down on top of the vagina. This maybe why your vagina seems short.
You might also have inherited your mother's lack of lumbar curve. This is unlikely to be simply 'bone' structural. It is more likely to be postural, which includes bones and muscles. You have more control of your body than you think! Otherwise, how would you have achieved highly in your athletic activities?
Many athletic women suffer POP and related incontinence. It is caused in any woman, by intraabdominal forces being directed into the pelvic cavity, rather than at the lumbar spine or into a stretchy belly. A flat, wahsboard belly will not absorb intraabdominal forces much, and will reflect them back towards the pelvic cavity. This is why we say that it is essential to learn to relax your abdominal muscles, and unlearn everything you have ever learned about desirable body shape (ie abs of steel and no belly or butt poking out, just like a man!). You will also need to learn to breathe with your diaphragm, which will mean that your abdomen will expand with every inhalation, and come in again with every exhalation. This belly relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing are good places to start changing your body. You are obviously a high effort person. Mastering this breathing might drive you nuts, but I am sure you will be able to learn it. ;-)
When you are brave enough to go back to the doctor and find out more, ask her to describe the position of your uterus. Ask her to examine you standing, as well as lying down, and see if she learns more from this.
Yes, losing your athletics must have been devastating, and discovering POP probably took you back to the day when you found out that your athletics career was over. I suggest that you separate the two events. POP doesn't have to be devastating, as long as you are open to finding new ways to look after your body and to use your body. I hope you have been able to find other forms of exercise that do not aggravate the knee ligaments. Have you had an ACL repair? What are you currently doing for sport?
Even if you can't afford the book and DVD's, have a look at the Resources and FAQ's tabs for some articles and videos. Use the Search box on these Forums to find Topics and Comments with relevant key words. Perhaps your Mom would buy First Aid For Prolapse for both of you?
Louise