Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Five Questions to Ask Your GP.
If you become aware of any symptoms of prolapse (heavy dragging sensation in the lower tummy or vagina, feeling or seeing a bulge, back pain, discomfort or numbness during sex, problems peeing ) your first step is usually to see your GP.
Some GPs specialise in Women’s Health but many don’t- so a referral to a Women’s Health Physiotherapist or a Gynaecologist is essential. Here are some questions you might want to know the answers to ….
1. What TYPE of prolapse do I have?
You’d be amazed at the number of women who are never actually told what is going on in their own body… there are different types of prolapse which sometimes come with different symptoms. Thanks to @Burrelleducation for this image. You can have just one type or more than one. Please know that prolapse can affect up to 1 in 2 women.
2. What STAGE is it?
The ‘severity’ of your prolapse can be measured by stage- which is basically the degree to which it can be seen inside or outside the body- there are different scales used and remember- how you EXPERIENCE your symptoms can be a much more useful guide than a labelled stage. Some women can have what is considered a severe prolapse but not be bothered by the symptoms, where as some women can experience a ‘minor’ prolapse (as defined by stage) and are hugely impacted by symptoms.
3. What is the proposed treatment?/ Are there alternatives to surgery?
Proposed treatment options should be more than just the offer of surgery. Surgery is of course, absolutely a valid option for many women, but there is a whole scope of alternatives (or run in conjunction with surgery) that have some hefty evidence behind them. Learning how to manage your Intra-abdominal pressure, strengthening your pelvic floor, strengthening your whole body, learning what makes you feel symptomatic, trying new things/ways, focussing on your toileting habits, looking at hydration, nutrition, scars and soft tissues, support from pessarys…there is SO MUCH that can be done. So some good advice here from a GP would be… I shall refer you to a Women’s Health Physiotherapist and/or point you in the direction of a great Women’s Health & Movement Coach!
4. Can I lift anything heavier than my kettle/baby?
YES!! This a very traditional and conservative approach to managing prolapse. Some recent research on the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse in women who lift heavy weights by Lori Forner et al. 2020 showed some really interesting trends on women who lift LESS having MORE symptoms…. Whether you want to lift weight or not, most if us want to be able to able to live a full and FUN life- so working out a way to do that is a NON-NEGOTIABLE.
5. What can I do to reduce symptoms?
All of the above. See your GP, get a referral to a Women’s Health Physio, work in conjunction with a movement coach who can support you in understanding all of Point 3! But most of all, please know that you are not alone, you are not unusual and there is always hope!