The private pain of the prolapse: six things I wish I would like it – from sex to exercise to mental health | Health

WHen, I experienced the pelvic organ prolapse after giving birth to my daughter in 2019. I had no idea – and apparently also my doctors – how much my life had changed. Every new “surprise” – from not being able to use tampons, to an almost constant cycle of Utis – felt all the worse for my lack of mental and practical preparation.

This should not be the case: About half of all women will have a certain degree of pelvic organ prolapse in their lives. There are four species: vaginal, uterus, bubble and rectal, which all include one or more pelvic organs that climb into the vagina. It often creates an internal bay, but if it is more progressive, it can also be visible externally. The prolapse is so different – and, above all, underestimated – a great distribution of potential symptoms that, in my opinion, are interrupted in health literature in general. Life with an organ standing in her vagina is often described as “uncomfortable” than comparable to a jean that is too small. The NHS website describes what can be really weakeningProblems [with] pee“. What small information about Prolapse is available seems to remind you of what you are experiencing Is not a big deal! But for many of us this is anything but the case.

My own prolapse was caused by birthBut it can also be brought through injury menopauseAge or for simply not a reason (not yet known for medical research). You couldn’t have any of the symptoms and have no idea that you have it at all. Conversely, you may have all symptoms and still have difficulty getting a diagnosis. Six years later and although I have a general diagnosis of a “pelvic organ prolapse”, I don’t know which Prolapse I have to what extent or whether I have several prolapse or not. Although I am anything but satisfied with this shocking lack of information about my condition, I concentrate on what I am by necessity Do Know to survive the day. Here is everything I learned and everything I wanted, I already knew about life with pelvic organ prolapse before I had to.

Peneton sex will be different

When I diagnosed prolapse for the first time, I didn’t think about the effects of my sex life. But as it turns out, this is probably the area of ​​my life that is most negative. Yes, I have stress incontinence (sui) stress – but when is that worst Time Lose control over your bubble? Yes, I have pain in my vagina – but when is that worst Time To feel pain in your vagina? At the age of 29 and after a few nightmarish attempts to sexual intercourse, I thought I could never have penetrative sex again. The pain was more than I could wear.

Over time, however, it became clear to me that the positioning was the key. Having sex on my side so that the penis would not penetrate so deeply made a big difference. Of course, this is not a good thing if you get out with a deeper penetration – a friend advises you to put a pillow under her butt, to lift her pelvis and strike back your cervix. We both agree that Lube is a great help to encourage the penis “to find the way of the slightest resistance”. And as for the SUI? I pink beforehand, even if I don’t think I really have to. For others who might be embarrassed to lose control of their bladder, I would recommend having sex in the bathroom or lubricating the nine – both blessed two ways to hurt larger or smaller leaks.

… and her period too

While the prolapse should not influence your period, your period may influence your prolapse. In any case, I notice an increased severity in my vagina and in the days before my period I have particularly reluctant to physically overcome myself. I now experience more intensely in my vagina, perhaps because of the lineage of my uterus, and I have to apply heat cushions to my vulva rather than on belly (about clothing to prevent the risk of burns). I found that tampons and moon cups were almost impossible. My prolapse just presses it out as soon as I insert them. After a decade in which I did not use it, it was personally discouraging for me, and I have not yet found a brand of pants with which I can go on board. All of this prompted me to turn to the coil – which at least contributed to alleviating my physical symptoms. However, it is not for everyone, and although I did not experience pain myself, I would recommend everyone to ask their health service providers to use local anesthesia gel or spray (pain relief is not routinely offered for iUP equipment).

Your relationship to movement will change

Nowadays it is generally only in the run-up to my period or after a few particularly physical exertion My prolapse influences my mobility, however, was not the case in the first one or two years. In the worst days, getting up only felt like a monumental effort – I would have to press my pelvic floor muscles as hard as possible to combat the feeling that my uterine would fall out of me. Physiotherapists told me that I shouldn’t pick up my baby – almost ridiculously impossible advice for a new parent – which every cuddle questioned me. Friends who like to run made news about their prolapses particularly hard. You could not be able to run 10 meters without losing full control over your bubble. Incontinent cushions were a gamuchanger when she was able to overcome the stigma. Another option is a pessary – a small ring that was inserted into the vagina to support the organs to be supported above it.

You may have more gynecological infections

However, a risk that is associated with the pessary use is the increased likelihood of vaginal infections. This is due to the fact that the pessary may introduce bacteria into the vagina, but the prolapse in general will probably increase the infections. Utis are most common because the descending organs prevent the bladder from completely emptying or produce small leaks and the pooling of urine, which is a breeding floor for bacteria. After the penetrative sex, the residual heart can be caught in the pockets that are generated by the prolapse and also creates a fertile soil for the infection. It seems that the answer to these problems is stricter hygiene standards, but the introduction of tougher products and rough cleaning habits can actually have a negative impact on the vaginal ecosystem. I have not yet developed a better solution than to regularly buy over -the -counter vaginal self -test kits and, if necessary, request targeted medication from my family doctor. This is time-consuming and expensive, and I hope that GPS consider to offer free self-test kits for regular gynecological infections in the future.

This can affect your future fertility options

A number of members of the health professions informed me that I shouldn’t get pregnant again if I don’t want my prolapse to get worse. In my case, avoiding the vaginal birth through a caesarean section would not help, since the pressure on my pelvic region could be sufficient by wearing another baby in order to make my symptoms and future prospects worse. The surgical repair is only offered to me as soon as I decided not to get pregnant again.

It is important to note that not all suffering from prolapse are communicated that they should not become pregnant: it is assessed on a case -by -case basis. If you are prepared that you may be worsened, you can of course keep going, no matter what you are recommended. However, it can be difficult for many to calculate this risk. There is growing indications that pessary use in pregnancy for people with advanced prolapse can lead to the best results after birth, but more research on these and other interventions is urgently required to enable as much reproductive choice as possible.

The spiritual tribute can feel impossible – but it is not

When I had diagnosed prolapse for the first time, I didn’t want to leave my bed. This was partly due to the fact that every step I took that I did when he made things physically, medically and worse. But mostly it was because of the spiritual tribute that a prolapse had taken over me. The doctors hardly seemed to understand my condition and wrapped it in euphemisms. I had little idea what the rest of my life would look like, and suddenly I had – after getting a baby – completely estranged from my body and the child that was advised to do. Of course, this is fruitful reasons for postnatal depression.

Another demographic population affected by Beckenorgan prolapse are those who experience under menopause – people who, like those who have just born, are exposed to enormous hormonal fluctuations and are therefore more susceptible to poor mental health. Understanding the psychological effects that gynecological diseases can have must begin to understand a key element of medical misogyny understandable, under -treated and underdiagnosed. Women experience each other More pain and with less probability of diagnosis and treatment.

This can feel frustrating as if the system is stacked against us. However, it is important to see how many people are in the same boat. Campaigns for better treatment options and work together to form the digmatis diseases that are not discussed enough. Sharing my Prolapse story with others and then so many people helped me to share their experiences with me, and helped me to lose the shame that I had initially felt when I betrayed my body. When I talked about how to achieve better sex or manage my period, I gave myself a tool kit with which I could go forward. We still need a sensible institutional reform, but for now I am grateful not to be ashamed to wear an incontinence cushion if I have to. And you shouldn’t be either.