Anyone had colpocleisis surgery? I want to learn more

I haven't scheduled my surger(ies) because we won't know for sure the treatment plan until I have an MRI this week. I have a lot of pelvic pain but that's mostly because of adenomyosis. I probably can also attribute lower back pain to a weak core. I don't know what stage my prolapse is at yet but I'm going to ask tomorrow when I go in for urodynamics. My urogynecologist is also booked many months out, but I'm getting in sooner by calling and asking about cancellations! What has helped most for you in terms of managing the symptoms?

Thank your for your quick response. From what I have read, some women have a lot of pain with their prolapse. The only pain I have had for years, is low back pain from weak core muscles and constant constipation (which I have had for years) which also contributes to the prolapse. Having 2 children also contributed. Have you experienced any pain with your prolapse?

I have delayed surgery to get more information (the doctor is 3-4 months out for scheduling surgery). The prolapse is at stage 3 again. Just taking it day by day:>)

Have you scheduled your surgery?

@landersson0519 I am so grateful for your comment because it sounds like you had fairly early onset of POP (as have I) and the complications and recurrence you've had are precisely why even at my age (46) I feel like I have to consider colpocleisis seriously.

If I were at your stage of life I would do it in a heartbeat! It is a much less invasive surgery and it has fewer complications from what I've read. I tried to post some links that have been helpful to me as I've been researching but wasn't allowed to because I'm new to the forum, but the moderator shared them for me in a subsequent comment (which I also can't link to, sorry!). In any case, they may be helpful for you as you consider the surgery.

I am 76 yrs old and had my uterus removed at the age of 41 due to prolapse. At that time, I also had rectocele surgery for a prolapsed rectum. My bladder, at that time, was fine. As the years went by, I noticed a bulge at the vaginal opening. I finally went to the doctor to find out what was happening because I felt like my insides were coming out. I had bladder and rectum prolapse. I had a cystocele and rectocele repair done in June of 2020 along with a bladder sling, after trying a pessary in 2019, that didn't work. A year after the surgery, I felt the bulge again. I went back to the gynecologist in January 2022 to find out my bladder and rectum was prolapsing again. My gynecologist referred me to a urogynecologist. She recommended 3 options, one being the colpocleisis surgery. One of the other two recommended was another cystocele and rectocele which she didn't recommend because it would probably happen again in a couple of years. The 3rd option was mesh, which I am not a fan of. At this point, the colpocleisis surgery seems to be the best option because of the recovery and I am not, and do not plan to be sexually active. I have been putting this surgery off to see if anyone has had any complications. I would appreciate any input about their experience with this surgery.

Thank you.

Welcome @onetiredmama. I noticed that you wished to post links to helpful resources with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the links you wanted to post are not spam. Please allow me to post them for you.

- What to Expect from Colpocleisis https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/colpocleisis
- Your pelvic floor https://www.yourpelvicfloor.org/conditions/colpocleisis/
- Colpocleisis: Closing The Vagina To Optimize Quality Of Life https://www.pelvicorganprolapsesupport.org/sherriepalm-articles/colpocleisis-closing-the-vagina-to-optimize-quality-of-life9152019

Obliterative surgery has not been suggested to me at my age of 46, but I learned of it in an informational pamphlet on surgical options for POP and I am actually really curious about it since it is less invasive than reconstructive surgery and has a higher success rate.

Personally, I think sex is about a lot more than vaginal penetration, so I'm surprised that they factor coital ability so strongly into treatment recommendations...It offends me, to be honest.

I have only had an initial consult to confirm POP and next step is an MRI to find out if I am eligible for a hysterectomy (I have adenomyosis, endometriosis of the uterus) as that will inform the rest of my treatment plan. However, the doctor thought I would likely need posterior and anterior vaginal repair, as well as a mid-urethral sling, so we're looking at multiple surgeries.

Don't reconstructive surgeries have higher chance of prolapse recurrence? And wouldn't that be even more so the case with younger patients?

At this point, I don't even know if my doctor would consider this surgery for me, but I hope I can have a thoughtful conversation and consideration of the pros and cons of each treatment option. It certainly raises some big existential questions around what it means to be a woman, which are probably similar to what those having to decide about reconstructive surgery after mastectomy face.

I will post some links I found helpful in my initial research in a few days (they won't let me since I just opened my account!).

I am 84. Have not had other pop surgeries. I cannot be active sexually, of course, but have no other limitations.

Sharnie, Thank you for your response. It is helpful. Do you mind telling me your age? Have you had other POP surgeries? I used cream too and have for years. It has not helped with the prolapsing problem. Are you able to be active now?

I had colpocleisis surgery in August and the results are miraculous. Prior to surgery, each day of two years was a burden of a bladder hanging down, painful bladder and bowel spasms, diarrhea and general discomfort. There is not much pain after surgery, I did stay in the hospital overnight and rested the next day, took pain pills. I did use a vaginal cream for two years prior to surgery but it did not prevent further prolapse. I would highly recommend this surgery.