An embarrassing question

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upperwests

Cathlete
I am 50 years old and my gynocologist told me today that he doesn't think lifting heavy weights is a good thing for my female organs. He said that childbirth and that impending menopause makes the vagina drop somewhat and that heavy weight lifting can be very bad for me. Is this possible? I really love lifting heavy for dead lifts and chest and back, but could this be harmful? Has anyone else heard this? When he asked me how heavy I lift, I actually lied and told him I only use light weights.
Paula
 
How old is he? I would think any doctor would be thrilled to hear that you are doing such a great thing for your body. If you are not injured in any way, or have back problems, I don;t understand why he would say this..

Deb
 
It sounds like (unless you have a problem) - your doc is very uninformed about the MANY benefits of weight training - especially for women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Weight training does nothing but strengthen your bones and your body. Many life threatening incidents that happen later in life (falls, hip fractures, etc) are a result of not having enough strength.

Carolyn
 
Hi Paula. I would not know from experience, but I heard some ladies talking about this at my AFAA certification training recently. The one lady was in her 50s and kept talking about "it" dropping now that she is older - and she works out like crazy - but she never related it to the lifting necessarily. I was only half listening b/c it was embarrassing. Maybe do some internet research or something?? Happy Thanksgiving!
Clarissa :)
 
I think that your doctor told you a bunch of "Hooey".

BTW- Is that you in your avatar?? You look AWESOME and NOWHERE near your age!!!!

Personally, I'd find a better educated gynecologist!
 
That sounds like the most hookey thing I have ever heard! Judging by your picture you look 30 instead of 50 and your heavy lifting is keeping you young!
What would you rather have a dropped vagina or weak bones?
Go with your gut or get a second opion.
 
Your vagina isn't going to drop, the uterus can prolapse...and that's a quick fix in ambulatory surgery or even the office nowadays...that's an odd statement - all the docs I know are thrilled when patients are fit and lifting weights....If you've had a prolapsed uterus - common enough after lots of births or a few mega ton babies - like I said, easy fix... can't figure out where that doc was coming from! The 1880's maybe?
 
Doctors also used to say that women shouldn't run marathons because their organs would fall out of their vagina.

Get a new gyno. This guy is living in the dark ages.

Allison
1.gif


http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90
 
>I think that your doctor told you a bunch of "Hooey".
>
>BTW- Is that you in your avatar?? You look AWESOME and
>NOWHERE near your age!!!!
>
>Personally, I'd find a better educated gynecologist!


Completely agreed!!
 
Wow! My OBGYN LOVES that I lift and workout. Of course, she does as well. I agree with the others that you may want to look for a different OBGYN - I'd be worried that if he thinks that way, that he would miss something important because he hasn't read up on the latest.
 
Interesting, I am 63 and lift weights. Maybe it depends on his diffiniton of heavy. I only use up to 20lbs for dumbell work and so far can only get about 35lbs on the barbell for squats as I can't lift if safely over my head yet. I certainly plan on going heavier as my strength improves. Could be that some women are just weaker in that area, so far I have not noticed anything weird going on with me but I will ask that question next time I go for a check up. Last time I went to my regular doctor he told me, I smile when I see you as you always look 10 years younger than you are.
 
<blinks>
um, yeah, time for a doc with a brain....


BTW, ditto on the "you look fabulous in your avatar" statement


And susandean, I hope I'm pumping the weights at 63, not sitting on the couch watching tv like my mom. You go girl!
 
Your (hopefully soon-to-be-former) gyno is full of crap. Just like the aforementioned chuckleheads who said women shouldn't run marathons b/c their vags would fall out, and just like the chuckleheads who say you shouldn't do inverted yoga positions during TTOTM because of "endometrial backwash" (whatever T H that is).

Within the past five years or so, our local paper profiled a female power lifter (who worked out at Gold's Gym with our now former governor Jesse The Body Ventura) who is in her 70's. The paper made no mention of her privates dropping, and believe me, it would have if it had been so.

Get yourself a new gyno who isn't hollering from the 19th century. And keep lifting heavy, girlfriend.

And Happy Thanksgiving!

A-Jock
 
IMO, I'm pretty sure that you/we aren't lifting the kind of weights that might cause problems, or lifting in a way that would do so.

If he were talking about powerlifting, and the strain involved with doing that wrong (as in the huge guys in a gym who get red in the face from straining to lift a weight), then maybe there is some validity to his statement.

In any case, I would think that engaging your pelvic diaphragm before a heavy squat or deadlift would reduce any risk.
 
Paula,

Just to let you know, I will be 52 in just a couple of weeks. I have had ten full-term babies. I had my yearly exam just two weeks ago and talked with my doctor about this issue. When he did the pelvic exam, he told me that everything was exactly where it should be ( he actually said like a 20 year old woman). He attributed it to weight training. He did tell me that when I do get to an age when I can't weight train anymore then I could have a problem with a prolapsed uterus.

I have never heard of your vagina dropping - since I have gone through menopuase already, I mentioned to the doctor that I hadn't experienced any of the menopausal symptoms (night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, etc.) - he attributed it all to weight training and aerobics.

Personally, I think you need to get a doctor who is more up-to-date on these kind of issues. Weight training is the best thing you can do for your body!

Good luck,

Cheryl
 
Annette Bethel

If Marjorie at 86 is lifting weights and ain't nothin' dropping out of that woman!! You can continue to lift weights. Matter of fact, I just had bunion surgery a week ago. My doctor said I had the strongest bones she has ever seen. Continue to lift weights and lift your doctor out of the door... Annette
 
Thanks to all who replied, I do feel so much better now.....I really could not imagine giving up my weight training because I love the results. I also should mention that my avatar was taken about 4 1/2 years ago...so I was closer to 46.....but don't tell anyone!!!!!!!!Believe me......a few more wrinkles have creeped in.
 
> He did tell
>me that when I do get to an age when I can't weight train
>anymore then I could have a problem with a prolapsed uterus.

What age would that be?
I would think pretty much everyone could continue to weight train to some extent throughout their lifetime. That may mean dropping back to 5-8# weights in your 90's, and choosing different exercises, but I don't see a reason to stop.
 
I did a little research and it sounds like there is something called "vaginal prolapse" which seems to be synonymous with or similar to "uterine prolapse". This article says it's fairly common, and is more likely to occur in post-menopausal women who have had more than one vaginal delivery in their lives. It says it can be prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, doing Kegel exercises, and "using correct lifting techniques". I'm guessing it depends upon what the doctor means by "heavy". I doubt he means you have to limit yourself to 5-lb. dumbbells. On the other hand, IMHO, it's really not necessary for most non-body builder women to lift as heavy as a body builder either. I think we each have to know our own bodies, apply some common sense, and if you've had vaginal births, do your Kegel exercises.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2600/2662.asp?index=9782
 
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