Want to discuss prolapse bladder or any kind of prolapse

Posted by Tanglefoot @tanglefoot, Aug 2, 2015

I am looking to discuss prolapse bladder or any kind of prolapse that other ladies have experienced as well. I would also like to comment on incontinence as well. There is a lot to talk about when it comes to prolapse bladder etc and it seems to be a silent epidemic among women. If there are others out there like me, lets talk about it and I have some solutions. I am surviving prolapse bladder without surgery and I have been living with it for over ten years. I wear a support garment that is light and easy weight and fits right under my existing underwear. Don't know what you are doing or wearing, but I would like to hear from you. Thanks.
Tanglefoot

***NOTE FROM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTOR***

February, 2017.

Thanks to a Connect member, it was brought to our attention that @tanglefoot may have a vested interest in promoting the support garment "hideaway" mentioned in this discussion. Further investigation revealed that @tanglefoot is the designer and inventor of this product, and that she routinely posts on discussion forums using pseudonyms. Posting solicitations or advertisements of any kind violates Mayo Clinic Connect's Terms of Use. We have decided to leave @tanglefoot's past messages as to not interrupt the flow of conversation, but she will no longer be able to post to the community.

Colleen Young

Community Director, Mayo Clinic Connect

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

@AlwaysHopeful

Has anyone had any experiences with a cystocele? (prolapsed bladder)

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I don't mean vagina - I have a prolapsed uterus

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hi Pizon

My mother is in her 80's and she has a prolapse too. So as far as getting worse , I think the only thing we have to really worry about is that we can go pee okay and have bowel movements okay. My prolapse is not getting any worse since I have been wearing the Hideaway. It can only go to the opening of the vagina if you have a support garment on. It cannot stretch any further or go anywhere if we are wearing something to support it. If we don't wear a support then of course the bladder can stretch further and further out of our vagina and will protrude quite significantly. Again, if we wear a support it has no where to go, it cannot stretch or fall out because the support is stopping it.

My prolapse has been a stage 3 for over two years now. I have no bowel issues and no urine issues. I eat healthy, I can exercise while wearing the Hideaway because it supports me and keeps my prolapse supported. I can go for walks, ride my bike and play tennis even. I am in my sixties so I am doing quite well living my life while managing my prolapse. Its scary at first when someone has a prolapse because you feel like your insides are going to fall out on the floor. This will not happen. The key is to do those pelvic floor exercises, eat well, don't lift anything heavy as lifting will make the prolapse worse, try not to have a bad cough, that makes prolapse worse as well. Try not to be constipated as pushing, also pushes the prolapse out at the same time when you go to the bathroom. There is a trick to pushing. I fold up toilet paper and hold it with my hand against my vaginal opening so when I push for a bowel movement my prolapse does not come out because my hand / toilet paper is against the vaginal opening holding it in.

Try to relax Pizon. Its not that bad once you learn to manage a prolapse and work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that hold up our organs. I would rather see you try all the positive things before you venture into unknown territories like surgery. What do you think?

Tanglefoot

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What do you mean by a support garment?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Welcome, @AlwaysHopeful.
I moved your message to this existing and active discussion about cystocele and other prolapse, so that you could meet fellow members talking about this important topic.
You may also be interested in these past discussions:
- scheduling sacrocolpopexy and cystocele repair...more than a little scared http://mayocl.in/2iWHE4a to read the messages by @wandili @montanagal @operationqueen

AlwaysHopeful: how are managing the prolapse? Do you have any questions you'd like to ask the group?

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Thank you Colleen for your kind response. I have been busy and finally am able to connect up with the community. I especially like Tanglefoots’ altitude and advice. I now have several approaches that I’m going to try - the hideaway support garment , Vitamin E to moisturize the cystocle, and I have an appointment scheduled about a pessary.Thank heavens for Mayo Clinic Connect.

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hello Restless 67

Please do not underestimate the pain of prolapse SURGERY. I have spoke with hundreds of women who have had that surgery. Some were in extreme pain afterwards, some had a relapse prolapse within a short length of time ( A YEAR OR TWO) others were fine. One size does not fit all and I am not interested in going through an operation that is not necessary for me or women like me.

I do have a normal sex life and when one has a prolapse bladder , it goes back up where it belongs as soon as you lay down in bed. No problem there. When I get up, I do not have a piece of cloth on. I have a very supportive prolapse support garment called the Hideaway. If you google Hideaway prolapse garment you can read about it and what the testimonials say from other ladies like me who are not having surgery. This Hideaway is not just a pad, it is supportive material inside a sling with adjustment elastic for your comfort. It stops the prolapse from coming out all day long and you cannot even remember you have it on it is so comfy.

Now as far as bleeding and dryness goes. I have none of that because I use natural Vitimin E gel capsuls and stick a pin in them, squeeze out the gel and apply it every night to inside of the vagina area all around the prolapse etc. It is a great natural mostiurizer for menopausal women as well and it has healing properties in Vtiimin E natural gel capuls. You can also apply coconut oil if you are allergic to Vitimin E.
I know someone who has a rectal prolapse and she is wearing the Hideaway support garment as well and she is fine. She puts the Vtiimin E gel on her rectocele and like you said she gently pushes it back in, puts on her support garment and she is good to go for the day. Not everyone wants surgery or needs surgery.

Of course if you are in pain, cannot go to the bathroom, have sexual issues, then you would probably have to have some sort of surgery. In the meantime those who are managing their prolapse without surgery are doing just fine. There is no messy sex as you say, it is quite natural and fine, as again, the prolapse goes back up inside when one lays on their back. So for those out there suffering silently, don't be afraid. A prolapse is not life threatening, it is life altering and you have to learn what is best for you. Blessings to all the ladies who walk in my shoes.

TANGLEFOOT

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Hello Always Hopeful

It sounds like you have had a prolapse like me for many years now. I am the same stage as you a stage 3. At night when I go to bed it goes right back up, so that is good. As far as estrogen cream goes and a pessary. I cannot take estrogen cream because my mother had breast cancer from it. She took hormone replacement for 10 years straight and unfortunately developed breast cancer. She is breast cancer free now for the last 20 years so not estrogen for me. A pessary is not an option for me either. I cannot tolerate anything that doesn't belong up there as I am more of a natural remedy person. A pessary may be okay for those who can tolerate it but the odds are that at some point it will cause infections, rubbing, discharge etc. A friend of mine just had her pessary removed because of these problems. Again, it is personal choice to make and some people try it to see how it works and others like me are not interested in internal supports. I do find the Hideaway outside support for prolapse to be very comfortable and easy to wear. In the morning when I get up my prolapse is not protruding out until I start to walk around for a few minutes. So right after I get up and go to the bathroom I put on the Hideaway to prevent my prolapse from falling out of my vagina area. I am comfortable for the entire day and can do the activities I need to do, like walking, bending to do chores, bike riding, whatever I want to do.

The Hideaway prolapse support is there to allow me to live a normal life without worrying about it anymore. As I mentioned before I have no other pain or bathroom issues, so why would I put myself through painful surgery. I do my pelvic floor exercises and eat a good diet so I do not become constipated. Never become constipated as this is really bad for prolapse. Always try to eat well so you have easy bowel movements. Don't do any heavy lifting and try to curb a cough if you have one. These are all factors that make a prolapse worse.

The Vitamin E Capsuls work very well to moisturize the inside of the vagina area. As I said before, poke a hole in one end of the capsul and squeeze the gel out and apply up inside. Make sure you are not allergic to natural Vitamin E. Coconut oil is another internal moisturizer that works as well (use the organic coconut oil). Again, make sure you are not allergic.

You mention you have a uterus prolapse as well. The Hideaway works for any kind of prolapse to support it. I think you need to go to the web site and read the testimonials from women like me who are wearing it. They are the ladies that will tell you what type of prolapse they have and how the Hideaway is helping them. One thing to keep in mind is the lady that is on the web site who invented the Hideaway has a prolapse too. She will answer any questions about this for you. She is very helpful and she answered all my questions. She told me point blank that she is not just there to sell a Hideaway, she is wearing the Hideaway and she said she is there to answer questions if need be. So you don't have to buy a Hideaway to talk to her.

If you have anymore questions Always Hopeful, just email me on this site. I would be more then happy to answer them. I am surviving prolapse without surgery and I hope to keep doing that for the rest of my life. I am now 65 and its been over 8 years so I think I am doing well. Hope others can find what works for them as well. We all need to help each other when it comes to prolapse which is not an easy journey when your insides start to fall out. There are alternatives and we should all have those choices and not be pushed into something we do not want to do. Do your research as it is your body we are talking about. The uterus, the rectocele and the bladder are very important organs and we must be careful how we take care of them.

Tanglefoot

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hello Restless 67

Please do not underestimate the pain of prolapse SURGERY. I have spoke with hundreds of women who have had that surgery. Some were in extreme pain afterwards, some had a relapse prolapse within a short length of time ( A YEAR OR TWO) others were fine. One size does not fit all and I am not interested in going through an operation that is not necessary for me or women like me.

I do have a normal sex life and when one has a prolapse bladder , it goes back up where it belongs as soon as you lay down in bed. No problem there. When I get up, I do not have a piece of cloth on. I have a very supportive prolapse support garment called the Hideaway. If you google Hideaway prolapse garment you can read about it and what the testimonials say from other ladies like me who are not having surgery. This Hideaway is not just a pad, it is supportive material inside a sling with adjustment elastic for your comfort. It stops the prolapse from coming out all day long and you cannot even remember you have it on it is so comfy.

Now as far as bleeding and dryness goes. I have none of that because I use natural Vitimin E gel capsuls and stick a pin in them, squeeze out the gel and apply it every night to inside of the vagina area all around the prolapse etc. It is a great natural mostiurizer for menopausal women as well and it has healing properties in Vtiimin E natural gel capuls. You can also apply coconut oil if you are allergic to Vitimin E.
I know someone who has a rectal prolapse and she is wearing the Hideaway support garment as well and she is fine. She puts the Vtiimin E gel on her rectocele and like you said she gently pushes it back in, puts on her support garment and she is good to go for the day. Not everyone wants surgery or needs surgery.

Of course if you are in pain, cannot go to the bathroom, have sexual issues, then you would probably have to have some sort of surgery. In the meantime those who are managing their prolapse without surgery are doing just fine. There is no messy sex as you say, it is quite natural and fine, as again, the prolapse goes back up inside when one lays on their back. So for those out there suffering silently, don't be afraid. A prolapse is not life threatening, it is life altering and you have to learn what is best for you. Blessings to all the ladies who walk in my shoes.

TANGLEFOOT

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Tanglewood - thank you for the prompt reply. I'm going to visit the Hideaway site today. My pessary appointment isn't until March. Until then, I'll do research on the estrogen cream(no breast cancer in the family) and if the hideaway works, I will not go for the pessary. Lastly, will definitely use the Vitamin E. Once again, thank you for all of your information.

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hello Restless 67

Please do not underestimate the pain of prolapse SURGERY. I have spoke with hundreds of women who have had that surgery. Some were in extreme pain afterwards, some had a relapse prolapse within a short length of time ( A YEAR OR TWO) others were fine. One size does not fit all and I am not interested in going through an operation that is not necessary for me or women like me.

I do have a normal sex life and when one has a prolapse bladder , it goes back up where it belongs as soon as you lay down in bed. No problem there. When I get up, I do not have a piece of cloth on. I have a very supportive prolapse support garment called the Hideaway. If you google Hideaway prolapse garment you can read about it and what the testimonials say from other ladies like me who are not having surgery. This Hideaway is not just a pad, it is supportive material inside a sling with adjustment elastic for your comfort. It stops the prolapse from coming out all day long and you cannot even remember you have it on it is so comfy.

Now as far as bleeding and dryness goes. I have none of that because I use natural Vitimin E gel capsuls and stick a pin in them, squeeze out the gel and apply it every night to inside of the vagina area all around the prolapse etc. It is a great natural mostiurizer for menopausal women as well and it has healing properties in Vtiimin E natural gel capuls. You can also apply coconut oil if you are allergic to Vitimin E.
I know someone who has a rectal prolapse and she is wearing the Hideaway support garment as well and she is fine. She puts the Vtiimin E gel on her rectocele and like you said she gently pushes it back in, puts on her support garment and she is good to go for the day. Not everyone wants surgery or needs surgery.

Of course if you are in pain, cannot go to the bathroom, have sexual issues, then you would probably have to have some sort of surgery. In the meantime those who are managing their prolapse without surgery are doing just fine. There is no messy sex as you say, it is quite natural and fine, as again, the prolapse goes back up inside when one lays on their back. So for those out there suffering silently, don't be afraid. A prolapse is not life threatening, it is life altering and you have to learn what is best for you. Blessings to all the ladies who walk in my shoes.

TANGLEFOOT

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You are very welcome Always Hopeful for any help I can provide. Are you itchy or dry or uncomfortable and that is the reason you are thinking about estrogen? I was itchy and dry because of menopause but the natural Vitamin E Capsuls stopped that itchy and dryness. Also when you think of a support garment like the Hideaway, think of it this way. We wear a bra upstairs so why not give some real good support downstairs to prevent our insides from protruding out? Most ladies sometimes have no choice but to try a pessary if they have complications. For instance if they cannot go pee or bowel issues etc. Since I do not have any complications then why would I risk a complication by having something inserted inside that could cause me bleeding, chafing, infections etc. Check out the pros and cons of pressaries so you have a clear picture of the good and bad. It doesn't hurt to do your homework and decide what is best for you. Only you can decide for yourself what you are most comfortable with physically and mentally.

Tanglefoot

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hi Pizon

My mother is in her 80's and she has a prolapse too. So as far as getting worse , I think the only thing we have to really worry about is that we can go pee okay and have bowel movements okay. My prolapse is not getting any worse since I have been wearing the Hideaway. It can only go to the opening of the vagina if you have a support garment on. It cannot stretch any further or go anywhere if we are wearing something to support it. If we don't wear a support then of course the bladder can stretch further and further out of our vagina and will protrude quite significantly. Again, if we wear a support it has no where to go, it cannot stretch or fall out because the support is stopping it.

My prolapse has been a stage 3 for over two years now. I have no bowel issues and no urine issues. I eat healthy, I can exercise while wearing the Hideaway because it supports me and keeps my prolapse supported. I can go for walks, ride my bike and play tennis even. I am in my sixties so I am doing quite well living my life while managing my prolapse. Its scary at first when someone has a prolapse because you feel like your insides are going to fall out on the floor. This will not happen. The key is to do those pelvic floor exercises, eat well, don't lift anything heavy as lifting will make the prolapse worse, try not to have a bad cough, that makes prolapse worse as well. Try not to be constipated as pushing, also pushes the prolapse out at the same time when you go to the bathroom. There is a trick to pushing. I fold up toilet paper and hold it with my hand against my vaginal opening so when I push for a bowel movement my prolapse does not come out because my hand / toilet paper is against the vaginal opening holding it in.

Try to relax Pizon. Its not that bad once you learn to manage a prolapse and work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that hold up our organs. I would rather see you try all the positive things before you venture into unknown territories like surgery. What do you think?

Tanglefoot

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hello just wanting to stay in touch I went ahead and tried again the pessery my uro-gynie gave me 2 different sizes and showed me how to insert and remove (after many fittings in the office I had 1 week with a good result)...my problem is the pelvic floor muscle spasms if I sit to long it hurts if I stand to long it hurts I am using and having much success with p/t and @ home pelvic floor exercises and a tool called a crystal wand I am so uncomfortable....I can literally feel it falling makes me a little nauseas i will go to the web site for the hide away....i am just afraid to spend the money (haven't been able to work du2 pelvic pain) again diet is good and am able to have bowel movements that isn't the problem is there any one you know with pelvic floor muscle spasms?

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hi Pizon

My mother is in her 80's and she has a prolapse too. So as far as getting worse , I think the only thing we have to really worry about is that we can go pee okay and have bowel movements okay. My prolapse is not getting any worse since I have been wearing the Hideaway. It can only go to the opening of the vagina if you have a support garment on. It cannot stretch any further or go anywhere if we are wearing something to support it. If we don't wear a support then of course the bladder can stretch further and further out of our vagina and will protrude quite significantly. Again, if we wear a support it has no where to go, it cannot stretch or fall out because the support is stopping it.

My prolapse has been a stage 3 for over two years now. I have no bowel issues and no urine issues. I eat healthy, I can exercise while wearing the Hideaway because it supports me and keeps my prolapse supported. I can go for walks, ride my bike and play tennis even. I am in my sixties so I am doing quite well living my life while managing my prolapse. Its scary at first when someone has a prolapse because you feel like your insides are going to fall out on the floor. This will not happen. The key is to do those pelvic floor exercises, eat well, don't lift anything heavy as lifting will make the prolapse worse, try not to have a bad cough, that makes prolapse worse as well. Try not to be constipated as pushing, also pushes the prolapse out at the same time when you go to the bathroom. There is a trick to pushing. I fold up toilet paper and hold it with my hand against my vaginal opening so when I push for a bowel movement my prolapse does not come out because my hand / toilet paper is against the vaginal opening holding it in.

Try to relax Pizon. Its not that bad once you learn to manage a prolapse and work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that hold up our organs. I would rather see you try all the positive things before you venture into unknown territories like surgery. What do you think?

Tanglefoot

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Hello Pizon

I have only read about spasms once and was wondering if those spasms happen when you have to go to the bathroom or does it feel like a pulling feeling because of the prolapse falling and stretching down further into the vaginal area? Does it hurt for long or is it just a sporadic feeling you get? Does the pessary cause more pressure when you sit for longer periods then if you didn't have the pessary in?

Tanglefoot

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hi Pizon

My mother is in her 80's and she has a prolapse too. So as far as getting worse , I think the only thing we have to really worry about is that we can go pee okay and have bowel movements okay. My prolapse is not getting any worse since I have been wearing the Hideaway. It can only go to the opening of the vagina if you have a support garment on. It cannot stretch any further or go anywhere if we are wearing something to support it. If we don't wear a support then of course the bladder can stretch further and further out of our vagina and will protrude quite significantly. Again, if we wear a support it has no where to go, it cannot stretch or fall out because the support is stopping it.

My prolapse has been a stage 3 for over two years now. I have no bowel issues and no urine issues. I eat healthy, I can exercise while wearing the Hideaway because it supports me and keeps my prolapse supported. I can go for walks, ride my bike and play tennis even. I am in my sixties so I am doing quite well living my life while managing my prolapse. Its scary at first when someone has a prolapse because you feel like your insides are going to fall out on the floor. This will not happen. The key is to do those pelvic floor exercises, eat well, don't lift anything heavy as lifting will make the prolapse worse, try not to have a bad cough, that makes prolapse worse as well. Try not to be constipated as pushing, also pushes the prolapse out at the same time when you go to the bathroom. There is a trick to pushing. I fold up toilet paper and hold it with my hand against my vaginal opening so when I push for a bowel movement my prolapse does not come out because my hand / toilet paper is against the vaginal opening holding it in.

Try to relax Pizon. Its not that bad once you learn to manage a prolapse and work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that hold up our organs. I would rather see you try all the positive things before you venture into unknown territories like surgery. What do you think?

Tanglefoot

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thank you for the quick reply...the pain didn't start until I prolapsed again mine just fell what seemed like all at once with no warning and the pain was first attributed to the uti I had at that time but I ended up in the er with the pain and was told I had to much stool in my bowel but after citrate of mag. and 2 tablespoons of flax seed powder daily I have no problem with that... it is like a tooth ach mine stared in my left side middle of lower back and wrapped around the hip to what feels like where your ovary would be and it was kind of burning as well and it hurt all the time couldn't sleep....now with p/t and @ home exercises and the used of what is called a crystal wand that you insert and press until the pain goes away I am much better but still suffer with them it feels worse when the prolapse is out (if you will fallen) and when you lay down at night....I take valium from my uro-gyn at bedtime as needed since p/t I don't need as much but still use as needed ... when I have the pessary in it causes my muscles to tighten and spaz and yes if I use the pessary ( the smaller one ) when I sit I feel like I am sitting on it....I can say that since I have been doing the p/t and home exercises the larger pessary (that I had 1 week of success with) is to big so I think that is a good sign that the exercises are working also the pessary gave me a horrible infection as well as rubbing am not going to try that again...I just ordered the hide away I really do not want the surgery but if it doesn't help I may not have a choice as the pain is now only when the prolapse is out... but am very hopeful .... I am better and again want to thank you for your advice and help I hope other women that are suffering with the pain of the spasms can go to there gyn for help my p/tist says a lot of women suffer with this and are not being treated or diagnosed correctly and therefore not getting the proper treatment

REPLY
@tanglefoot

Hi Pizon

My mother is in her 80's and she has a prolapse too. So as far as getting worse , I think the only thing we have to really worry about is that we can go pee okay and have bowel movements okay. My prolapse is not getting any worse since I have been wearing the Hideaway. It can only go to the opening of the vagina if you have a support garment on. It cannot stretch any further or go anywhere if we are wearing something to support it. If we don't wear a support then of course the bladder can stretch further and further out of our vagina and will protrude quite significantly. Again, if we wear a support it has no where to go, it cannot stretch or fall out because the support is stopping it.

My prolapse has been a stage 3 for over two years now. I have no bowel issues and no urine issues. I eat healthy, I can exercise while wearing the Hideaway because it supports me and keeps my prolapse supported. I can go for walks, ride my bike and play tennis even. I am in my sixties so I am doing quite well living my life while managing my prolapse. Its scary at first when someone has a prolapse because you feel like your insides are going to fall out on the floor. This will not happen. The key is to do those pelvic floor exercises, eat well, don't lift anything heavy as lifting will make the prolapse worse, try not to have a bad cough, that makes prolapse worse as well. Try not to be constipated as pushing, also pushes the prolapse out at the same time when you go to the bathroom. There is a trick to pushing. I fold up toilet paper and hold it with my hand against my vaginal opening so when I push for a bowel movement my prolapse does not come out because my hand / toilet paper is against the vaginal opening holding it in.

Try to relax Pizon. Its not that bad once you learn to manage a prolapse and work to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that hold up our organs. I would rather see you try all the positive things before you venture into unknown territories like surgery. What do you think?

Tanglefoot

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Hi Pizon

It sounds like the PT is really helping a lot. I am glad to hear that. It sounds like the pessary may be something to do with more pressure by the way you describe what happens when you sit with it etc. I hope the Hideaway gives you the same relief it gives me. It stops my prolapse from falling out and it reduces some of the feeling of having a prolapse. I am very fortunate it works for me because I cannot wear a pessary and I wouldn't want to because I know it would bother me not only mentally but probably physically. Talk to you soon.

Tanglefoot

REPLY
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