Rectocele and cystocele

Body: 

I'm 45 and was just diagnosed with a rectocele and cystocele. I have 2 young teen boys
and am very nervous that I won't be able to do outdoor activities with them. I just started kegels and
Am getting fitted for a pessary. My standing is limited especially at night. Both are stage 1 but I can't imagine what any worse would be like! How do you tolerate the pressure and fear of falling organs?
Help!

Hi rectomom,
What you are experiencing is what Christine calls nature's pessary. Having a rectocele and cystocele together prevents the cervix from dropping past the vaginal opening. Right now you aren't going to see the benefit, but in time, when you learn to accept and manage your prolapse, all this won't seem so scary.
First of all, kegels aren't going to do your prolapse any good. Look around on this site for the articles Christine has written about the adverse affects or inaffectiveness of doing kegels.
Pessaries are also not the best fix for prolapse either, they can be cumbersome to work with and can also cause sores in some cases. They also keep the vagina held open when it should actually be a closed airless tube.
Whole woman posture is what is the best thing for managing prolapse. Christine Kent has written extensively on this and has provided us with the tools to help us. This site has loads of information to get you started and the whole woman store to find even more indepth information in books, DVDs and online courses.
I have been doing this work for two years and now manage a profound uterine prolapse very successfully.
Just wanted to welcome you and wish you the very best.
p.s. I do everything I want to do from hiking and biking, to taking long walks and even playing with my grandchildren.

Hi Rectomom - I have been here 4-1/2 years with what AG has correctly called "nature's pessary" - cystocele and rectocele which (though annoying for sure) help hold the uterus forward and keep it from prolapsing too close to the opening. It can be very effectively managed with WW techniques.

The kegel articles she mentioned can be found by going over to the Blog tab and searching that page for Kegel. Doing kegels is ineffective on prolapse (if they worked, I sure wouldn't be here now!) and can actually aggravate things.

Same with pessaries. They give some women symptom relief, but they are notoriously tricky to fit, and can actually aggravate rectocele (if the 'cele doesn't just push it out).

The organs are not falling out. They are behind the vaginal walls. What you need to do is learn the posture techniques that will hold them forward in the relaxed lower belly, so they aren't squishing into the vaginal space. Posture, belly breathing and gravity make this happen. In the end, you will be able to do anything you want or need to do, without fear.

If you've been pulling in your abs tight, in the name of "good" posture, be aware that this is a big root cause of prolapse. As are exercise programs that stress working the abdominal "core" (including crunches and the like).

Watch this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RvGROzIYN6w

This is a great community so feel free to post some questions. - Surviving

Hi dear Rectomom,
I have had rectocele for nearly 19 years.
I adopted WWPosture 2 & 1/2 years ago and after spending the last few months doing the DVDs regularly, along with watching my diet, the benefits are such that now I am working on running the Whole Woman way....running is something I never thought I would do.
The possibilities are amazing...take your time - start as mentioned by Surviving and Aging Gracefully...& learn to belly breath as part of WWP...

All the best,
Aussie Soul Sister

Hi Rectomom, I understand your fear. I have been on this site for a week today and I called WW office in tears. My doctor said she didn't know what was wrong with me so I diagnosed myself. Hang in, you will be so happy you did. The fear and confusion will leave with more education from this great site. You will be glad you are here. xo Karin