Prolapse: The "Sag"a Continues

Prolapse: I found this website, and I think it does a great job of explaining in simple, straight to the point, terms what a prolapse is. Even though you can go there and read it if you want I will also do a quick recap here so you don't have to if you don't want to.

Your uterus is normally held in place inside your pelvis with various muscles, tissue and ligaments. Sometimes because of childbirth, difficult labor and delivery, these muscles can weaken. As we age, have kids, naturally lose the hormone estrogen the uterus can collapse into the vaginal canal, causing the condition known as a prolapsed uterus. There are different stages or degrees of prolapse...your uterus can simply just sag or your come completely out of your body.

First degree: The cervix droops into the vagina.
Second degree: The cervix sticks to the opening of the vagina.
Third degree: The cervix is outside of the vagina.
Fourth degree: The entire uterus is outside the vagina.

Now from there it can actually go onto other degrees or layers or conditions that are created by the prolapse. Think about it, your rectum, bladder and even intestines are all nicely tucked into that area and when things start moving they don't usually move alone. I won't go into all of that stuff because again, I am not a doctor, nor do I want this to be a medical website of sorts. Just know that with a quick search on the Internet you can find oodles of information.

At this point, I am, thankfully, only a first degree prolapse. When I bare down or lift heavy things, do any sort of exercise that contract my abdominal muscles (not many exercises that don't), etc. I become a temporary second degree prolapse. Because my uterus has started to collapse and my cervix is drooping into my vagina I constantly feel pressure of some kind. Again, I am lucky that I don't often have pain, but it is a major annoyance. It feels as though I constantly have a tampon in that is not in there correctly and moving around. It is very difficult to ignore. I'm under instructions, so the prolapse doesn't worsen, to do things like; avoid lifting anything over ten pounds, don't do anything that would create a baring down situation like crunches or weight lifting, don't cough too much, try not to avoid sneezing, eat lots of fiber to avoid constipation, etc. Do you know how many of things you do without even realizing it? I've lifted heavy bags of groceries out of the cart and into the car that cause things to move. To follow these instructions for me has been impossible.

I had an appointment with a prolapse specialist on the 27th and I will tell you all about that in my next post. After that, I will be moving onto the next symptom/issue that has led me down this path. Thanks again for sticking with me!