Hi Ladies...I am going to the doctor tomorrow for my Annual Check up. I have noticed that something seems to be out of place. I feel a heavness in the Vaginal area. I fell like something has dropped behind my vagina and it is behind not hanging down. What could this be? Sorry for being so graphic.

I have had several surgeries to correct things this year. I hope its not something else. Your advice and wisdon is welcomed.


Deb

I think it is great that you are seeing your doc tomorrow as you will likely get the answers you are looking for. I have however heard of a condition where the bladder can stretch and drop down lower. That might be what you are feeling.

Hi Deb,

It could be a prolapse issue. There are several different kinds, ask your GYN to check you for prolapses. A urogynecologist is the best one to deal with those type of issues if that's what it is. You can have a uterine prolapse, a rectocele, or a cystocele. All are sort of "hernias" of the pelvic floor muscles that allow the uterus, bladder or rectum to be out of position. All prolapses can be surgically repaired.

Hope you get some info at your appointment.

Hi Deb,

I have had this for over year but it is completely gone. Had it checked by my gyn of course. He couldn't find anything wrong.
I had the feeling that I had some kind of heavy object instead of a uterus!
Let us know what the doc has to say.

Good luck!

nic

Deb: I get this feeling too; I have been checked for a prolapsed uterus but I'm always okay. It's a very strange feeling, and definitely not 'in my head'. Let us know how you make out...

Well, this may sound odd, but the only way to definitively check for a prolapsed utereus is to have a pelvic exam while you're standing up. When I saw a urogynecologist that's what he did and sure enough the prolapses were evident. I guess when I was laying back on the table, everything sort of fell back into place and that's why they weren't detectable.

Ladies....Thanks for all your comments. I will have her check me out while standing. It is there because I felt it.
I will keep everyone posted.

Deb

I have the "universal" prolapses - and have had since 2000. No surgery. I did the homework and learned that posture is the main way to stabilize this weakness. Stand against a wall (or observe a toddler standing) and whatever part of your body is touching the wall, that is the way to maintain your posture as you go about your daily business. The bootie jutting out a bit, a curvature to the small of your back which thrusts the lower abdomen forward (uterus forward over the bladder), shoulders back and down, chin slightly forward. At first it hurt to adopt this posture but with time I managed and now feel that has kept my prolapses in check. Also, how can three "beings" go through a narrow opening simultaneously? Not! So to, the prolapses act as a "natural pessary." Nothing will fall out. And the proper posture will ensure that. Never, ever strain with stools and take a stool softener daily. Lean a bit forward to urinate and even while "taking your morning constitution, maintain that posture while sitting. I have lived with this for seven years and have much more good days minus the "falling out" feeling. Surgery may not always be the right solution and usually will "open a can of worms" later on. Did you know that a tipped uterus (towards the back) is actually Stage I prolapse? An easy avenue of descent is presented itself. "Flopped" over the bladder - not so easy. And the proper posture will help ensure you of that. Then there is the Mayan massage - which everyone should google for information. Keeps the innardes lifted and works 110%. Thought this information might help.

Well, my urogynecologist has said that I had the "deluxe" when it comes to surgery. I did have three prolapses. The cystocele and rectocele had been there for years, not causing much problem. But when I had a uterine prolapse, it was sudden and severe, and in my case the three prolapses together did not act as a natural pessary. So I opted for a hysterectomy (not total, I still have my ovaries) and had all three prolapses repaired. I've had good results, and I, personally, couldn't have functioned with the uterine prolapse as it was.

I am so glad you brought this up because I had that same heaviness a few days last week. I have not had it this week, but it felt like my insides were trying to come out through my vagina. Very strange that i no longer feel it.

bev

Hi Ladies...My Doctor's appointment was rescheduled because my doctor had an emergency and would not be in the office. I will not see her till October 11. So I will have to handle this a little longer.

Deb

That's disappointing.

I saw a urogynecologist (they specilize in pelvic floor disorders) and I would have waited months for him. He was such a nice man, with a very caring staff and a wonderful surgeon. After my surgery, a delivery guy brought in a flower arrangement. I wondered who would be sending it, and it was the doctor. I learned from the nurses on the floor at the hospital that he sends flowers to all his post surgical patients.

Hang in there Deb!

Another possibility for dealing with prolapsed organs is use of an inversion table. You can go to the website for the Teeter Hang-up and read about all the benefits of assuming an inverted posture for 15-30 min a day. Supposedly, over time organs which have dropped due to gravity will move back up.

I don't have direct experience with any kind of prolapse- only one child and she was born via Caesarean. My gynecologist says in his 15 years of practice, he has never seen any prolapse in women who have had only C-sections. However, I just got a Teeter inversion table (there are othes also but this is supposedly the best) a few weeks ago for other reasons: as preventative maintenance for my back, to get the lymph circulating, for stress reduction and to counter height loss. I really like it. It is definitely relaxing. I have only gone to about 45 degrees so far, not a true inversion, but the stretch still feels good.

Finally, abnormal tension in the pelvic floor muscles can create lots of weird sensations in the genital and rectal area, over the bladder, pubic bone and other places in the pelvis. So if it turns out to not be a prolapse, tight pelvic floor muscles may be to blame.

TT

TT,

I had an "only" child and had a c-section, but I did have a 20 hour labor before the c-section. So I'm not really sure if the labor caused the issue. I do have MS, so the surgeon said that could have added to laxity of muscles if there was demyelinization of the nerves that supply the supporting pelvic floor muscles.

Hi Ladies....I went to the doctor today. I have what is called a Rectocele Prolapse...I go to the Gyn next Thursday to see what her recommendation is. My concern now is if this has happened when is or if the Uterus is next. Or the Uterus is pushing down to make the other issue. We shall have to see. Might have to do a Ultrasound and see what is next.

Thanks for all your comments. They were very helpful.

Deb