Possible prolapse

[Red753]

Hi, 70 year old newbie here needing some info/insight/advice. A few days ago I was on a short break away and woke up one morning with an uncomfortable feeling, not exactly a pain, in my lower left abdominal/pelvic area. It disappeared after a few hours and I put it down to not having gone to the loo. However yesterday I felt that something wasn’t quite right internally and found there seemed to be something in the right side of my vagina that can be pushed back up. I have a some backache on my lower right back, but I’ve suffered from back pain on and off for a few years so might not be related at all. It’s difficult to get into doctors now, so I’ve messaged them on the system asking for an appointment but unfortunately we’re off to Cornwall until Friday so I’m wondering what to do in the meantime until I can get to see someone. I’ve no pain, just a little uncomfortable at times and I’m trying to do pelvic exercises to keep whatever it is in place. Should I continue to push it back in place or just leave it and hope? I don’t want it to get worse but I also don’t want to do any damage. I am also a bit of a hypochondriac so am panicking internally 😬

[HashtagNell]

You are same age as me (also in the UK, Scotland) and it does sound like a prolapse issue. In my case it began about eight months ago after I'd had an episode of bowels overactive with some bug or other, not diarrhoea but a numerous toilet visits and then something slipped. Of course it might have been happening before but I didn't notice.

In my case it was a uterine prolapse and felt like a small balloon trying to get out of my vagina. I was also able to push it back up but it wouldn't stay up. I didn't have any pain. But certainly uncomfortable, especially when walking. Less uncomfortable in the mornings when I'd been lying down all night and things had gone back in place.

I don't think you need to panic. Doing the pelvic floor exercises is a good idea for the rest of your life, in any case. I use the NHS Squeezy app which is really helpful. You might need some topical oestrogen to improve the elasticity of the vaginal tissue, which tends to 'atrophy' after menopause and is a contributory factor.

I think you should be fine until you can get a doctor to do an examination to confirm what's going on. When I saw mine, he was totally unexcited about it anyway, and to get a full discussion I ended up seeing a consultant privately because, like you, I was panicky. The FPOPS FaceBook group in the UK is very helpful but might be a bit alarming for you, since many women have things much more dramatically wrong with their pelvic organs (this is both reassuring and scary).

Good luck, and bear in mind people on this site are not doctors and only going by personal experience and guessing what your description suggests. But good luck and huge empathy!

[Zsazsa56]

sounds like a prolapse no need to panic

if it’s confirmed look for a pelvic physiotherapist mine has helped me tremendously

Good luck X

[shilohpup in reply to Zsazsa56]

Mine too. I wish I knew years ago to go to one. No joke Ive been going for 4 weeks and feel Im at least 25% better already! Its o.k. to panic its very scary when it first happens not to mention all the pain. Hang in there Im confidant you got this!!

[pizon]

if you start to feel a heaviness while sitting try to put your feet up that use to help me before I had the corrective surgery..but get to the dr asap just so you know for sure

[Bridgelover]

I would agree with what the firstc2 respondents have said. This happened to me 7 months ago. GP didn’t want to know and referred me to physio but only getting an appointment in November in NHS. However don’t panic- it is unlikely to need surgery but keep doing pelvic floor exercises and try to avoid lifting any heavy boxes etc

[Normie-Orms]

Hi sound like a prolapsed bladder to though I'm no expert. I have a slight prolapsed bladder. Maybe get referred to a eurologist?

[Johnsgirl]

Hi Red,

This sounds like a vaginal prolapse. Could be either your uterus, bladder or bowel prolapsing into the vagina. I had a repair of my Rectocele (bowel prolapsed into bladder) 5 weeks ago. It was initially diagnosed in Nov 2021 and I was referred to a Urogynaecologist. After many cancelled appointments I finally saw her in July 22 and was then sent for pelvic floor physio which didn’t help at all. Cutting a very long story short, I was told that the surgery waiting list was 88 weeks and as this had already been going on for 18 months by then, I wasn’t prepared to wait that long. So we took out an interest free credit card and paid to have the op privately. I’ve no regrets at all.