PROLAPSE OF THE WOMB
- Thread starter fitmum
- Start date
materialsgirl
Cathlete
My mom had to deal with this, and she tried all the non-surgical methods - a pessary (device inserted to support the uterus), Kegals, etc. None of them worked well enough and she had to have a hysterectomy (removing only her uterus, not her ovaries), and they anchored her cervix to the abdominal wall so that it couldn't fall down. Your OB/GYN should be able to help you determine the most appropriate treatment, so you can try several things and hopefully find one that works. Surgery is, of course, a last resort, but sometimes it is necessary, as it was in my mom's case.
I had both my uterus and my bladder prolapse. I too went the pessary route but until I had surgery, I was just miserable. My bladder was pretty much all the way out and the pessary couldn't even hold it.
If you are finished having kids, I can only encourage you to get the surgery. I know it is a long time to be laid up (2 weeks of NO lifting and in bed and 4 more of modified rest) but I am a totally different person. I kept my ovaries, so I'm not tossed into menopause early and besides being more comfortable and healthy, no more crimson tide every month for me.
Gotta be honest....I don't miss that! In fact, I was hiking with a girlfriend the other day and she mentioned it was the first day of her period. I hadn't dealt with it for so long that I asked her "And you're out of the house?"
Please feel free to ask me questions about the surgery/recovery/pre surgery. I will be happy to answer.
melissa
If you are finished having kids, I can only encourage you to get the surgery. I know it is a long time to be laid up (2 weeks of NO lifting and in bed and 4 more of modified rest) but I am a totally different person. I kept my ovaries, so I'm not tossed into menopause early and besides being more comfortable and healthy, no more crimson tide every month for me.
Gotta be honest....I don't miss that! In fact, I was hiking with a girlfriend the other day and she mentioned it was the first day of her period. I hadn't dealt with it for so long that I asked her "And you're out of the house?"
Please feel free to ask me questions about the surgery/recovery/pre surgery. I will be happy to answer.
melissa
Thanks for responding to my question, im only 39, i have four kids,it just seems such a drastic thing to do some a friend of mine, Male, said i would lose my sex drive even if they left my ovaries in did you find this to be the case? How did you feel after surgery? as im English we use different medical terms. What is a pessary?.
Thanks fit mum.:+
Thanks fit mum.:+
rmrmr
Cathlete
Hi Fitmum,
I'm also 39 with 3 children. I just had a hysterectomy(uterus only) and I cannot tell you enough how much better I feel. I did not lose my sex drive, although that wasn't allowed for 6 weeks post op. The first few days I was pretty sore, but after 2 weeks I was feeling much better. I was also on medical leave for 6 weeks and I go to spend that time with my kids.
Diana
I'm also 39 with 3 children. I just had a hysterectomy(uterus only) and I cannot tell you enough how much better I feel. I did not lose my sex drive, although that wasn't allowed for 6 weeks post op. The first few days I was pretty sore, but after 2 weeks I was feeling much better. I was also on medical leave for 6 weeks and I go to spend that time with my kids.
Diana
smartyjonesc2s
Cathlete
i was 27 when i had cervical cancer and had to have a hysterectomy. i am now 36, and have not lost my sex drive or anything else, except having to buy tampons every month. i got to keep my ovaries, so i am not in menopause or on hormones either. i have not missed the monthly issues at all. the recovery is not that bad especially if they can remove everything vaginally. i had to be cut open so that they could make sure they got all of the cancer, and by the 4th week, i was up and around again. it took a while to be able to do situps, but it was a small price to pay. if you are done having children, i highly recommend simplifying your life, however, you must do your research and feel comfortable with that decision.
materialsgirl
Cathlete
Here is some info on pessaries:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000501/2719.html
As you can see, they come in a whole slew of shapes and sizes. Your OB/GYN would have to determine which one is best for you, and if that is even an option for you.
You should not experience any change in sex drive (or any other hormonal issues) if they do not take your ovaries. The uterus has nothing to do with sex drive.
My mom had the type of hysterectomy where the uterus is removed through the cervix and vagina, so an abdominal incision is not necessary. I understand that recovery is quicker with this type of hysterectomy.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000501/2719.html
As you can see, they come in a whole slew of shapes and sizes. Your OB/GYN would have to determine which one is best for you, and if that is even an option for you.
You should not experience any change in sex drive (or any other hormonal issues) if they do not take your ovaries. The uterus has nothing to do with sex drive.
My mom had the type of hysterectomy where the uterus is removed through the cervix and vagina, so an abdominal incision is not necessary. I understand that recovery is quicker with this type of hysterectomy.
Well, with 4 kids, having a sex drive at all is great! I have 2 little ones myself. Not to be gross, but you asked! My vagina had become (in my doc's words) "rather gaping" from my bladder hanging out of it and pushing it open. I also think the OB/GYN who delivered my first kid was not very good at her job. She was in a huge hurry (very long story) and I don't think that after a forceps baby she gave me nearly enough stitches. So, this doc gave me have a normal vagina. Again, in his words "I can take you back to 25, not 16, OK?"
If you do a pretty wicked prolapse, it is pressing on your vaginal canal anyway. Getting it out of the way might be a relief.
There is no way to heal a prolapse - you will have to prop it with a pessary and it may continue to drop. It was wonderful to have 6 weeks to rest and as a mom it was the first time I had done that in a long time.
I have much more sex drive now that I don't worry about my bladder/uterus being in the way and I just feel a whole lot more put together. I am kind of a worst case scenario - but I am sure glad I did it!
Melissa
If you do a pretty wicked prolapse, it is pressing on your vaginal canal anyway. Getting it out of the way might be a relief.
There is no way to heal a prolapse - you will have to prop it with a pessary and it may continue to drop. It was wonderful to have 6 weeks to rest and as a mom it was the first time I had done that in a long time.
I have much more sex drive now that I don't worry about my bladder/uterus being in the way and I just feel a whole lot more put together. I am kind of a worst case scenario - but I am sure glad I did it!
Melissa
winsomehill
Cathlete
Just to give you another story.... My uterus came out when I delivered my second child. I continued having problems with the prolapse for at least two years. It was not terribly severe. I went to a homeopathic doctor and it slowly came back. I expect I will have problems with this again, at some point as I age. Gravity has to have it's effect, and it's clearly a weak part of my body. I did have another child, without a reoccurence.
Heather
Heather