Calling All Women - Vaginal Prolapse - As We Get Older.....the risks increase

[ReSomething]

I would agree that there is no indicator of how well a doctor will relate to you, age, race or sex are not valid criteria, and don’t forget the bromide about what you call the person at the bottom of the class - Doctor.

We still need some work on healthcare, in my area it is piecemeal so my visit to the OB/Gyn and the spotting or bleeding did not seem to be transmitted to the PCP. After my release from the hospital I was to see an Internal medicine specialist as we tapered me off certain meds, and as an NP she could not access my records to know why I was there and taking those certain medications. I really don’t know what was going on there with these professionals,it was off putting to be asked things I could not answer or perform at the time, but my records appeared to be all over the place and not anywhere they could do any good.

[PaddockWood]

@Toblersmom

I just wanted to chime in because of the implication that male doctors are dismissive and female doctors are understanding and nuanced. Through a variety of moves, insurance changes, scheduling issues, etc. I have had the experience of dealing with a LOT of different health care providers, all over the country, for reproductive/urinary/mammary tract issues over the 35 years I have not gotten health care from my childhood pediatrician. Men, women, doctors (OB/GYN and GPs or other specialists), CNM’s, etc. There’s a perception out there that women are “better” than men, and that midwives/other NP’s are “better.” I have detected pretty much zero correlation. One of the worst, most abrupt, most physically rough, most “I want to get this visit over with as fast as possible and move on,” was a woman. Some of the kindest, most “present”, most thorough, have been men. I have also had some really excellent woman providers and horrible men providers. I don’t make assumptions anymore about what level of care and compassion to expect based on what anatomy is under the lab coat or what letters are after the name.

Good point. It would be sexist to make a blanket statement like that. And it’s not true.

[RiderWriter]

I am SO glad you found the right doctor. It took me two plus a NP before I found out what was wrong with me. The (female) Uro-Gynecologist examined me for just a couple minutes, sat up and matter-of-factly stated the diagnosis (pelvic floor spasm). I couldn’t believe it.

The first doctor (male, regular gyn) had not. a. clue. Virtually insisted that my twinging, spasming, miserable pain had to be from a UTI and prescribed an antibiotic and anti-spasmodic, despite the urine test being fine AND me telling him, I’ve had plenty of UTIs and this is different! He did no exam whatsoever, btw. The antibiotic of course did nothing and the prescription stuff that turns your pee orange gave me horrific leg cramps at night. I’d wake up in agony and have to massage and walk around for 20 minutes.

The NP did do an exam and told me she thought it was a UTI or a yeast infection. Seriously! I’ve had those too, of course, and knew damn well it wasn’t THAT so I didn’t even bother filling the prescription. I do think I took another round of antibiotics just in case.

Finally, the UG knew, and right away. She prescribed PT with a specialist. Luckily there was one at an office ten minutes from home. The mistake this doc made, though, was not telling me what the PT entailed. You could have knocked me down with a feather when the therapist instructed me to remove all clothing from the waist down and get under a sheet. And then next thing I knew, here came the KY. She wound up embarrassed that I hadn’t been told in advance! (Call me stupid but I thought it would be external massage and stretching)

At any rate, the PT worked, thank God. I don’t know if I or my boyfriend was more relieved since I’d told him, no canoeing until/if get this problem sorted (it got 10x worse afterwards). The PT was weird and slightly unpleasant but I learned a LOT. Who knew we women carried stress in our pelvic floor!

I also learned that this sort of thing is more common in equestrians. The therapist definitely thought I should just, you know, quit the silly horsing around but I explained that was NOT an option. Instead I learned how to really, really focus on breathing and relaxing all my muscles. I still have to be sure I breathe right when cantering.

I’ve been fine for two years now, knock on wood, but it was definitely the most bizarre and frustrating medical condition I’ve experienced. I hope anyone who experiences problems in this area gets themselves straight to a UG, because the average gyn seems not to know a damn thing.

[SuzieQNutter]

Thank you to everyone contributing to thid thread.

I am 50 to. I have googled what a pessary is.

I have heard of kegal exercises but have never done them seriously. I have not given birth.

@iris2006

. I don’t know any 80 year old women who aren’t wearing diapers.

I am hoping to age like my mother. She is 91. She rode most of her life. She is now playing, putt putt, pool and cards and she goes to Garden Club and is thinking of starting lawn bowls again. My brother goes and plays chess with her.

We had to get her a seat to go on top of the toilet when she was given a new hip as she had to sit with her knees lower. It is still there but no diapers.

I have no idea about males either but hubby’s dad is 90 yo and not wearing a diaper.

I have started lifting for work. Crates of bread and it may take more time but I only lift one crate at a time. Over 100 a day, 6 days a week.

The other coworker has quit doing the pamphlets so I will take over the whole of Boonah. I will stop riding the horse in the morning and will go in 2 hours before work to walk or ride the bike. I have decided I will also go in and ride the bike to work a couple of days a week the weeks I am not doing pamphlets. I can ride my horse in the afternoons.

[PaddockWood]

Thought I’d post an update for anyone interested. I met w a PT specifically trained in pelvic floor issues and she suggested taking out the pessary every night -that they can rub and bother tissue in time. Mine is easy to put in and take out and I do not notice it at all during the day.

She also showed me a plastic anatomical model of the pelvic floor and who knew there were so many muscles??? One big change and seems riders should pay attention to this…we’re taught to “bear down” or push out like you are about to cough. To engage your core. For me it became second nature to do all day long and especially with lifting etc. Who knew that contributes to having a hernia. Now I’m told to learn to breathe out and draw my navel INWARD whenever lifting. And to become aware to not hold your breath. If you hold your breath it’s too heavy.

She also did various muscle testing internally and ex and no surprise found tight hip flexors and weak hams. So doing exercises for that strengthening. She gave me thumbs up on my Kegels. Riders learn to single out muscle firing so it’s pretty easy to ONLY fire those muscles for me. A correct Kegel ONLY fires the internal muscles right there at the opening.

One issue I’m having that is annoying is painful groin pain which I’ve never had in my life and is a symptom of this hernia. It stops as soon as I sit down or rest.

I have several more appointments and will post back again in a month or so unless anyone has a question.

[PaddockWood]

@RiderWriter After seeing the anatomical model of the pelvic floor and all the muscles I can only imagine the pain if they went into contraction/spasm. Thank goodness you figured it out.

Thank you for sharing your story.