Can prolapse happen suddenly?

Hi Tlouise and welcome. Yes, prolapse can certainly become symptomatic seemingly out of nowhere. For some of us, it just appeared, and for others there was some apparent triggering event. In either case, it was probably in the making for years or decades, so don’t blame the doctor for missing something. Doctors are not good with prolapse, and diagnosing a prolapse is a very subjective and elusive thing. The organs are on the move all the time.

Prolapse affects most of us eventually, and yet it is commonly something we haven’t even heard of until it happens to us. We at WW are trying hard to change that!

Read up on posture throughout this website and forum. Don’t be in a rush to go back to the doctor until you have had a chance to familiarize yourself with what we do here. I would start with the Resources page, then go to Videos and watch the first one on the page – it is a 20-minute overview of the Whole Woman Approach. Then come back and ask questions, but in the meantime, DON’T PANIC. We have all been where you are. You will be fine. - Surviving

I also had never heard of this at all and only that I know someone very close to me that suffered had I heard anything at all but she only shared this with me once I had my baby boy. My only experience with doctors and NHS in the UK is they all told me there was nothing wrong with me, tested me for infections swabs etc, then when I finally saw the person before a specialist a registrar just advised me 'its normal' and he didnt know what woman expected who had children it was just a bit of sagging!! Once sent for awful physio it was confirmed about my prolapse but it felt horrible being told there was nothing wrong all the time. I agree with surviving 60 do a bit of research so you know what to ask and wont get fobbed off like me. Take care

I always go in yearly for my exams, and my last one was fall, 2012. However, over the summer of 2013, I started noticing a "heaviness" or "swelling" feeling. I didn't think too much about it, though. In September, I ended up with bronchitis, and I was coughing a LOT!! The heaviness/swelling got worse to where I felt I had a large tampon hanging half in/half out. I got a mirror to look down there and about freaked out. There was this "pink, flesh colored balloon" hanging out of me. I immediately called my doctor (after hours) and she assured me it was ok, and likely a prolapse.

I, then, got online and started researching and yep, that's what it was. My doctor had me come in the next morning for a check.

Like you, nothing had ever been said about this prolapse before either. So my guess is that it was starting up, but the coughing just did it in.

anyway, my doctor sent me to one of her partners who specializes in prolapse surgery. I saw her the next week, and I had a cystocele grade 3 and a mild rectocele.

To make a long story short, I did a lot of research, asked a lot of questions - and opted for surgery. My surgery was three weeks ago today. I can already tell a big difference and so far, I am very pleased and very positive about this.

I think surgery outcomes truly are based upon the surgeon and the level of expertise she/he has. My doctor took 4.5 hours for my surgery (laproscopic, mesh, took my tubes - I had a hysterectomy three years ago - ), whereas other ladies I know, there doctors did the same thing and took only an hour!!

So, yep...that's my story...and yes, it just kind of showed up....

good luck to you!!

Surviving, I absolutely love what you said..."diagnosing a prolapse is a very subjective and elusive thing. The organs are on the move all the time." Whereas I am OCD about what I have seen, my Dr says "damn, the bladder is sitting lower than it was" (referring to one of my previous appts post op hysterectomy) "but nothing to get excited about. We'll start you on estrogen and some kegels". To me I have a handicap, to him, eh no big deal!

AC, I am proud to say that I have never asked any doctor for any opinions about what's going on down there. And if any doctor ever offers an opinion, i'll certainly be prepared to tell THEM a thing or two. - Surviving

When my prolapse symptoms first started, I honestly swore I " must have herniated or ruptured a disk in my low back"... thats how bad My back pain was ( and still is). When it went to my groin/hips and down my inner thighs, I freaked out and demanded my nuerologist check my for either a ruptured spinal disk or a pinched nerve. I went through... Evoked potentials test ( normal except for one nerve in my left leg) a mylogram ( completely NORMAL), repeated spinal taps( No degenerative nerve disorder but high intracranial pressure) and nuerous other tests. He finally sent me to a pelvic floor specialist who performed.. defecography and various other pelvic function tests. All pointed to and showed the beginnings of what I now call " the beast within", a prolapse. At first it was JUST my rectum, then it started with my bladder, and finally my cervix. I was ( and sometimes still am) in severe denial and blamed it on my being obese. I figured if I was too fat I must have " loose vaginal tissues". After the FITH doctor confirmed what I was fearing I had a breakdown and isolated myself. I still no longer feel Like a woman but some Mutilated junk. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised I have such a nasty prolapse given my history of sexual assualts ( see my other posts only if you want to). I find myself Crying alot And told My gyne and counselor about this Forum. they both thought it was great that I joined and encourage me to post. it's nice to be able to relate to others dealing with this issue.

You may want to start a new title because this hasn't been posted on for awhile but wanted to say that I think we all go through denial, hating our bodies and then taking control. Don't be scared to sort of grieve and then move on and start with the posited and any DVDs you can afford and if not the free videos, bits on u tube and you will feel better. Slow walking in posture is the best which I struggle with now as always pushing a pram!!! Just wanted to comment and say hello, so people may not see this feed as no comments since January but start a new topic and the lovely ladies will add further comments to mine. Take care and please try to look positive now

Not to worry, we always see new activity even when it's on an old thread. Thanks for the encouragement, ladies! - Surviving