Have You Ever Suffered From A Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

[slightlybroken]

I know we have discuss this on the forum before, but I was wondering how many of you have suffered with a pelvic  organ prolapse. Also, please indicate what type of prolapse you suffered from, and whether or not you had a hysterectomy before the organ prolapse, or after, because a hysterectomy does raise your chances in having a organ prolapse.

[RCinNYC]

I had a uterine prolapse in 1998, and had a vaginal hysterectomy, with the ovaries also removed through the navel incision.  I had been fine for over 10 years, no issues except maybe hesitant urination.  Then last May, I was in Home Depot with the guy who was doing repairs and painting in my house, and while he was off getting supplies, I saw contractor bags on sale, and I lifted a box of 50 contractor bags, and didn't realize how heavy it was.  (By the way, I was a widow, 76 years old at the time.)  Well, I felt something that was almost like a break inside.  When I got home I realized that something was pressing down on my vagina and there was a bulge pushing out.  I went to a GYN, who sent me to a urogynecologist, who wanted to do abdominal surgery to correct everything including a prolapsed bladder, vagina and some other things.  I said I didn't want abdominal surgery (I had no disease, no tumors, etc.) I just wanted to close up shop and close off the vagina, because I didn't care about having sex.  He wanted to put me through all kinds of tests, and estrogen therapy, and I didn't want to go through all that.  I didn't like him anyway, and would never have allowed him to operate on me.  I had a negative attitude about a pessary, so it was either do nothing or have surgery.  Then I got a third opinion, and he said to try the pessary, they're better than when my mother had it.  (BTW, this condition seems to be hereditary in my family.)  Well, I asked my GYN for a referral to a female urogynecologist, who tried the pessaries (all shapes and sizes) and none of them were suitable, they would not correct the condition.  So she wanted to do surgery to shorten the vagina and close it off.  However, there were some side effects she described that seemed to me to be as uncomfortable (or more) than what I am experiencing now with the prolapsed vagina.  I have no problems with incontinence, I am fine, in fact I can go for hours & hours without urinating.  I never wet myself at night or when coughing or sneezing, and I feel I can put up with this bulging and just keep myself clean and not have any surgery at all.  It's 10 months since my first symptoms last May, and it hasn't gotten any worse, so why should I put myself through surgery (anesthesia alone is dangerous) and a 6 to 8 week recovery period at this point in my life.  Who knows how long I will be around anyway.  It seems stupid to have surgery like this at my age and my Internist agrees that avoiding surgery is my best alternative at this point.  My only fear is that I may end up needing a colostomy like my grandmother had when there was erosion between her bladder and her intestines.  I interested in hearing from anyone else who is dealing with this and not wanting surgery unless there is a damn good reason to do it.  Has anyone else had a similar situation as mine?

[slightlybroken]

fdmh - You probably should be checked again by a urogynecologist and have a urodynamics test. You could have a combo of issues, both physical (being the prolapses), and neurological. Once they run these test, they would be able to figure out whether you are having neurological issues and it could help with evidence in a diagnosis. I'm technically, undiagnosed, but I have several doctors pushing on my behalf, so I'm trying to grab up as much evidence as I can right now.

Sandie - Your issues with the bladder does sound more neurological. I have the same issues. From what I was told by my GP,  GYN, and Quix, this issue has to do with a weakening of the urethral sphincter muscles, and is common with people who have neurological diseases.

There can be both pain and pressure involved with prolapses. Some people can even have lower back, and lower pelvic pain from it. I'm not sure if your pain is from old scar tissue from your previous surgeries, but a quick pelvic exam can determine whether or not you are suffering from any prolapse. Regardless of whether you have a prolapse or not, it does sound like you are having an issue with your bladder and you probably need to be seen by a urogynecologist for some test.

[sandie490]

Hey Slightly,
I seem to have more of the neuro problem.  I wake up in the morning, and I'm wet. The urine just comes out during the day, can't seem to stop it. Up several times a night, had a problem with UTI's, but when I feel it coming on, I take cranberry capsules, and drink alot of water and it eases up.  You see, I had 3 C=sections, complete hysterectomy, 6 days after surgery, my incision and sutres opened up, all the way through to the bowel, and exposed my intestines, then there was a couple of small holes that wouldn't close up, they went in and repaired that, then a year later, I develped an incisional hernia, from all of the surgery.  So, my point is, I do have alot of pain in my belly area, cause on top of all of this I have alot of scar tissue.  How would I know if any of my discomfort would be from a prolapse.  Is there pain?  Sorry so graphic and gross.   Sandie

[fdmh]

I was dx with this about 4 years ago because I was having a lot of pelvic pressure with my periods, like I thought my uterus was going to fall out.  So I saw a urogynecologist and lo and behold I had rectal, vaginal and urethral weakening/prolapse, different grades.  Eventually the pelvic pain resolved, but now my incontinence seems worse and having more rectal pain.  So is it my prolapse or MS?  (Undiagnosed).

[slightlybroken]

LOL Andrea!

I might have to take you up on that offer sometime. The doctors won't know what hit them.

My GP is getting just as frustrated as I am. She sounded like that yesterday...so maybe I'll get somewhere this year. She's already putting it down, in black and white, and on paper, she believes I have MS. She gave me a letter yesterday that states that I have atypical MS and I can't work, so I at least have one doctor trying.

[slightlybroken]

Yep, that's it. The organ will drop out of it's normal position and fall into the vagina. This can happen for a number of reasons. It's more likely to happen at some point in a woman who has had a hysterectomy because the uterus supports some of the organs. With it not being there, the support is gone, and whether due to weak ligaments, weak muscles, the organ drops. A drop in hormone levels can cause woman to loose muscle tone as well in their pelvic floor. That's why it's more common in post-menopausal woman or woman who have no hormones due to full hysterectomies. It's also common in woman who have had many children.

There is different levels of prolapses (levels 1,2,3,4). Once you get to levels 3 and 4 when you are speaking of a pelvic organ prolapse, the organ is at the opening of the vagina (level 3), or gone past the opening and is out (level 4). Level 4 organ prolapses are always an emergency because the organ is now out of the body.

The symptoms are similar to stress incontinence and urge incontinence when you have a bladder prolapse. My doctors believe some of my issues might be from my bladder prolapse but other issues sound neurological. I've been waking up in the morning and I will just start to urinate without even knowing it....My doctors believe this is neurological.

[Andrea15127]

I am really frustrated for you.  I want to go to Ohio and go to the doctor with you and be like what in God's name is your problem?  I just don't understand how hard it is to get someone to do their job and help someone who is going through what you are and get you the help you need.  Maybe after I go to whoever they are sending me to here it will somehow help you.  Sorry having an over protective sister moment.

[sandie490]

Hey Wobbly/slightlybroken

So what exactly is a prolapse?  Especially the bladder and Uterine.  I had a complete Hysterectomy 5 yrs ago.  I've started the bladder issues very recently, but they started around the same time as my other MS issues late last year.  Is this condition where the organs drop?    sandie

[Wobbly]

I had a hystorectomy years ago...when I was 39years..I've had bladder and uterine problems..

take care
wobbly

[slightlybroken]

I started out with a uterine prolapse in my teens. I did manage to have kids with no problems. The uterus finally went down and never came back up in 2006. I had a hysterectomy (partial). Now I'm suffering from a bladder prolapse. My doctors believe some of my bladder issues are from this and some are neurological. I have a referral to a uro-gyn now to help with this issue. Surgery might be in my near future.