Pelvic Floor Prolapse? Help!!

Hi gb2115, I am much older than you and postmenopausal, but I found my prolapse became much worse after starting Tamoxifen. I had always suffered with fibroids. The Tamoxifen gave me a thickened lining and made those fibroids grow enlarging my uterus. This gave me pelvic pressure. My Gyn referred me to a UroGyn and told me to use Replens vaginal moisturizer. This was because of the irritation from the prolapse. The UroGyn did the exam and I was at stage 3 out of 4 of cystocele. If I wanted to try a pessary I could, but my Gyn said that might put pressure on my bladder and it seldom worked for my stage. I ended up having a total vaginal hysterectomy with a prolapse repair this past Feb. It was the best decision for me. I had numerous fibroids by that time with the largest 3cm. When you are able I think a UroGyn would be the doctor to see. I never would of thought of this if my Gyn hadn't recommended it. I had a 4th degree tear after my daughter was born so I know that hurts! Best wishes.

gb2115, My bladder had started to fall. One of the signs is urine retention. I can't tell you what a relief it is and the difference the surgery made for me. I did learn a lot about what is available and it is amazing. Who knew!? The UroGyn also takes care of rectocele and pelvic floor therapy. The best of luck to you.

gb2115, My doctor said no straining, no pushing, after my hysterectomy for 8-12 weeks. Did your doctor recommend Miralax? The generic is less expensive. It does take 3 days, give or take to work, I was sent home with Colace too, but didn't need it after a week. My surgeon said only to stop it if you had very loose stools and then take it every other day. For me it was to prevent a prolapse and to not put a strain on the sutures. I just don't feel you are seeing the right doctor for your issue and it seems the colorectal doctor is brushing you off to PT. Where I went they did the therapy in the office including with Electrical stimulation for weaken muscles. Don't let it get worse like I did call your gyn and get a referral for a second opinion with a UroGyn. Hopefully they will start seeing patients soon.

👋, as someone who had pelvic floor repairs and later prolapsed again I can give you some advice. Until you can see the PT or urogyn try wearing compression shorts under your clothes. That helped take the pressure off so I could be active again. Also it sounds like atrophy is a big part of your problem. You can ask your MO if a small amount of estrogen vaginally is OK but most say no. I got mine to approve the use of Imvexxy because I was in so much pain. If not I found using KeyE vaginal vitamin E and coconut oil suppositories work well.

In the meantime, avoid squatting, lunges, heavy lifting and jumping. All of these stress your pelvic floor. I also would look for Michelle Kenway on YouTube for proper pelvic floor exercises.

Good luck with your appointment. It's tough during this pandemic.

What great advice Molly50! My MO said she would prescribe a estrogen cream if I wanted. There are some good post about what is available. gb2115, The magnesium citrate is a laxative. I would ask your doctor if you should add fiber with a prolapse. Hope the compression shorts help you out!! Great suggestion.

Gb2115

I'm just living with the current prolapse. Once I got to the point where I wasn't in constant pain I learned to let others pick up heavy things and to not do exercise that puts pressure on my pelvic floor. The Imvexxy has been amazing. You use it every day for a short period of time and then twice per week. When I started it the atrophy was so bad that I couldn't even walk. I'm at the point where I only use it 2 or 3 times per month and use KeyE and coconut oil in between.

PM me if I don't answer if you have more questions. It's a tough part of breast cancer treatment and being a woman.

Hi, I'm in much the same boat. I have a rectocele and the tamoxifen making it a lot worse. Pressure when standing and walking, even laying down and pressure after bowel movement. Saw gynea in March and told to do pelvic floor exercises. I've got a phone appointment on Wednesday with colorectal surgeon. At me wits end with it all. Hope you can get some relief

I'm not sure my experience will offer any help. I've been on AI for almost five years now and my uterine prolapse occurred around the same time. I saw a PT who taught me how to do a correct Kegel and the Urogynecologist prescribed estrogen creme (oncologist approved) to help the vaginal tissue. I'd say that the area stabilized in the sense that my uterus didn't slide down as much for a few years. At that time I had tried using a pessary a couple years ago but it was painful to insert so I didn't continue. I regret not trying different types of pessaries with different sizes. In the past year though, I feel like Im battling a losing fight since the bladder is now bulging into the vaginal wall and after walking a few miles my uterus is prolapsed. Last week I saw a gyn who said my bladder in now prolapsed at grade 2 to 3 and to see a urogyn for pelvic floor repair and bladder surgery. Another roadblock. I know how frustrating it is to deal with this and Im not sure what options are out there for me except surgery. But if I had to do it all over again I would have been more diligent with the urogyn to get a comfortable pessary fitted and continue with the estrogen creme. Best of luck to you!