New to prolapse and new to the forum

Submitted by Mae46 on June 10, 2016 - 5:47pm
Body: 

Hello everyone, I just joined the forum this week and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm here of course because I want to avoid surgery so I'm so infinitely thankful for this site! Unfortunately I did have my uterus and one ovary removed ten years ago in my more naive days. I can't dwell on the past though and need to make the best of my current situation.
I've overcome a lot in my life so in that spirit I'm determined to give myself the chance to adjust to the prolapse situation before making any hasty decisions. I have an appointment with a urogyn at the end of August to possibly get fitted for a pessary. I figure the appointment is far enough out that I might or might not decide I need one by then.
My prolapse became apparent during a bowel movement at work about one month ago. My nurse practitioner examined me and said it was a grade one cystocele. Last week I felt it fall even further so I requested the urogyn referral. I'm guessing it might actually be a combination of a vaginal vault prolapse and a cystocele and rectocele based on how I feel with sex and how my bowel movements exacerbate things. Pretty much all last weekend I was convinced surgery was my only option until I found Whole Woman. I work in the medical field so I'm acutely aware of how lacking in really helpful treatments medicine actually is. Anyway I don't want to get into medicine bashing but needless to say I'm very open to trying to help myself before resorting to medical treatments (especially since the hysterectomy)!
I've just been reading around the forum and today I took my first step bought some raw local honey! I'm recovered from anorexia so I have to be really careful with dietary changes and I avoid talk about weight and judging people's bodies but if that's not a problem then I see nothing holding me back from the Whole Woman method! I'm excited to be part of the community. Thanks Christine for making this information available.

Forum:

Surviving60

June 11, 2016 - 9:47am

Hi Mae and welcome to Whole Woman! The post-hyst population needs this work every bit as much as the rest of us - maybe even more. We all simply have to start from wherever we are, and go from there. You have come this far in your understanding of what's needed, so there is nowhere to go but up.

After hysterectomy, regardless of when it occurred, there are a few things to keep in mind. One is that your potential results may never be equal to those of a wombed woman, because the uterus is the hub of the wheel of pelvic organ support. But you need to work on keeping the remaining organs held forward, away from the outlet.

You should avoid over-zealous pelvic rocks, and similar moves that could compromise sutures that are generally present after hyst - the top of the vagina is often tethered to the spine to help prevent a vault prolapse. You also need to simply start off gently with the posture, because a ten-year-old hyst will have altered the skeletal structure of the pelvis somewhat. Taking long, relaxed posture walks is a great exercise as you are learning. Though Christine often talks about barefoot and minimal footwear, post-hyst you need to always cushion yourself with comfy shoes and socks for exercise.

Christine's next big roll-out is a program specifically aimed at post-hysterectomy women. It has been in the works for awhile and we are greatly looking forward to it. So stay tuned. You are off to a great start. - Surviving

Mae46

June 11, 2016 - 2:28pm

Thanks for the warm welcome Surviving. It just dawned on me today that *not* doing the kegels as recommended by my NP has already helped!!! I know I've got a lot to learn but it's exciting to notice the prolapse and tailbone pain ever so slightly better just by making an amateur effort at posture and discontinuing the standard kegels. I can't wait to delve in deeper and learn more.