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Prolapse and smears

Posted , 9 users are following.

charlotte_10579
charlotte_10579

Hi everyone. Right let's start this off with I'm 27, 2 children. Fairly easy pregnancies. First child at 19.

Self diagnosed a vaginal prolapse two years a go now. Finding it very hard to pluck up the courage to book s doctors appointment. I think it's stage 2-3. Learnt to try and deal with it as best as I can. Still finding it very very hard.

Worst part of this is I've never had a smear test because I am absolutely terrified. I can't express how terrified I am. I need to know if a smear test can be done with a prolapse, how will I warn them it's there. Oh it's just so scary and embarrassing. Thought about going private to get my prolapse looked at so someone is dealing with me straight away and know what to expect,

Would really appreciate any advice please. Thanks x

1 like, 20 replies

20 Replies

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  • carol42923
    carol42923 charlotte_10579

    Posted

    yes go and have a smear test, you wouldnt believe how many women have prolapses. Dont be embarrassed charlotte go and see the nurse at your practice, she will do it for you, its really quick and theres nothing to it honestly. They are used to taking smear tests on ladies with prolapse. you will feel great when youve been..she will give you some exercises to do at home, look up pelvic floor exercises on the internet as well. If youre overweight try and lose some and dont get constipated. theres loads of support on here. but do go and get it done soon, nothing to it. x

     

  • lynn53651
    lynn53651 charlotte_10579

    Posted

    Hello Charlotte

             Join the group Charlotte. Most of here either have a prolapse or had a prolapse operated on. I have had my prolapse for over ten years now and it is just starting to protrude out of myself, so I am dealing with that right now and trying to help others in the same position. Do you feel your prolapse yet at the entrance of your vagina area or is it up further?

    Don't be afraid to go to the doctor and tell them you have a prolapse. They can still do a pap smear. One thing though, if you are in no pain and you can go to the bathroom okay, don't get talked into surgery. There are several pelvic floor exercises that you can do to help you with your prolapse to strenghten your pelvic floor so your prolapse will not get worse.

    Just go to youtube and write the words "The Ultimate Pelvic Floor Exercise" by Canadian Living. There are really good gentle exercises to start doing that will help you. There are millions of women out there with a prolapse, elderly and young. Even new mothers who just gave birth, many of them have a prolapse bladder from all the pushing to get the baby out. So relax and know that you are not alone and you will be okay.

                                                             Lynn

  • jennie43338
    jennie43338 charlotte_10579

    Posted

    Hi Charlotte, I'm so sorry to read that you are frightened to have a smear test, they are more undignified than painful and having had two children you know all about that. What are your symptoms?

    As Carol said they are used to seeing so many women with prolapses. You also may not have a vaginal prolapse, I have a mild cystocele which causes me slight incontinence, managed with medication but the worst problem for me is the grade 2 to 3 rectocele which causes a hard lump to be felt just inside your vagina to the rear. That has been more difficult to manage than the cystocele. Please do look at all the posts on here, so many women are going through what you are BUT they have had a diagnosis. Please let us know when you have made your appointment, it is so important for you and your family to get a proper medical opinion. xx

    • ann82027
      ann82027 jennie43338

      Posted

      Jennie, you said something about a rectocele inside your vagina, i have just been diagnosed with a prolapsed bladder maybe grade 1, i have discomfort up the left of my vagina at the back, i felt something which seemed like a hard lump so i got worried, i see the doctor on monday for the result of my transvaginal scan.

      My asian doctor seems disinterested and i have to keep going to him to get something sorted, i was told i had interstitial cystitis in January, not diagnosed after pain and blood cells and protein in my urine.

       

    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 ann82027

      Posted

      Hi Ann, yes the end of the large intestine (rectum) pushes through the back wall of the vagina (called a rectocele) and it feels just as you describe. I also have a grade 1 cystocele which I cannot feel. I was under a female Locum "Consultant" at Southmead Hospital, Bristol who I did not engage with at all & when I found out she would be operating on me I decided to look on line for someone who was an expert in the field. I went to my GP & asked to be referred to a Consultant in London. As soon as I met him I knew I could trust him. I am still not sure whether I will have surgery, he suggested gynae physio at a local hospital which my GP also referred me for.
    • ann82027
      ann82027 jennie43338

      Posted

      Thankyou for reassuring me, the sharp pain comes and goes through the day, my mother died from bowel cancer and my aunt from ovarian cancer so it does make me concerned.   I had an operation for a pile which used to swell like a grape and drip blood , when i,d had the operation and had a look the pile was still there and believe me it was a painful operation, at the 6 week checkup i was going to ask why but the doctor stood in the doorway and didn,t seem interested anymore, it continued to bleed so i went back and i mentioned that the other surgeon hadn,t removed the problem one, he said nothing but said i could have the op again, i refused because i have lost confidence, it still causes problems now and again.  I do not have confidence in any of them.
    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 ann82027

      Posted

      Hello Anne

      Let me know how you get on with your results on Monday. Is there another Doctor at the surgery you could change to? If so, I would! Take care. x

       

    • ann82027
      ann82027 jennie43338

      Posted

      The woman doctor is asian and not a very nice person, you can sense she hasn,t got time for you and is abrupt and unfriendly.  My doctor is also asian , it has taken me 4 months to get to this stage, i went to A and E with pain, i had protein blood and cells in my urine, they said it may be interstitial cystitis which is damage to the bladder lining over time, He gave me antibiotics and more or less said goodbye you,re sorted, i told him i still had pain but he did not refer me to a specialist but i persisted because i knew something wasn,t right, eventually he got a nurse to examine me but i had to make an appointment, she said i had a slight prolapse, another appointment to see him and he sent me for a transvaginal scan which i get the result for on Monday, i heard the person say that there was a bowel mass on my left side of my vagina so of course i,m worried.   I get the feeling that i am just another number in the queue and it disturbs me about the lack of care  I worked all my life through bringing up my 3 children and an uncaring husband, i left 3 years ago!     I tried to change my doctor 2 years back.

       

    • jennie43338
      jennie43338 ann82027

      Posted

      That isn't helpful for you at all Ann. You are bound to be worried with your family history. Do you live in the UK? I only ask as the Consultant I chose to see is based in London & I live near Bristol. He is 'old school', shook my hand, said pleased to meet you, thanked me for choosing him etc. Any chance you could change GP surgerys, if you are not happy you can do that if they are in the same area. Your treatment isn't fair and as you say you have worked & raised 3 children. Good for you in leaving your husband, I hope you are happier. Don't forget to post how you get on Monday. I work so won't reply until evening. Take care.
    • dawn64marie
      dawn64marie jennie43338

      Posted

      Hello

      Getting nervous about what I believe is a rectocele. Especially since I have hemorrhoids and the issues with that. My spot is tomorrow - and I think it's a stage 3 based on research. Can you give me some of the remedies you have tried for your rectocele. I don't have pain just uncomfortable and pressure, bulge in area, no other pains. Getting nervous cause I don't want surgery. Thank you so muchin advance.

  • msatc
    msatc charlotte_10579

    Posted

    First you can try exercises. Kegels don't fix the upper pelvic floor muscles but will help some. Squats help tremendously if you do them using your glutes not your legs. You may be able to fix the problem yourself. Go to You Tube to find help with this.
    • LMHO
      LMHO msatc

      Posted

      My gyno said to never ever do squats again as this is what caused my prolapse to become severe very fast. There are some you tube videos that show exercises to do and also to avoid.
  • jennie43338
    jennie43338 charlotte_10579

    Posted

    Please get a proper diagnosis & book a smear before doing anything! Good luck & let us know how you get on. x
    • charlotte_10579
      charlotte_10579 jennie43338

      Posted

      Thank you. I'm just a bit baffled on how I'm going to go for this smear test and announce there is a problem with down there!! Just feel so overwhelmed by all this going to happening at once 😔😔😔
    • lynn53651
      lynn53651 charlotte_10579

      Posted

      Don't be afraid Charlotte, it is not surgery and is very simple once the doctor gets you settled down and relax. Some people like me have had a prolapse bladder for over ten years and I have continued to have pap smears. The problem is the doctors know all about prolapse bladders and how often they occur. It is us the ladies that are kept in the dark and don't anything about a prolapse until it happens. It is a silent epidemic and you are certainly not alone. Your doctor will not be shocked when you tell her or him about your problem down below. They have seen it all before. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

                         Hugs and Blessings to you

                         Lynn

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