HWN Suggests

The hidden medical epidemic few women have been willing to talk about, until now

Even when it is not dangerous, it erodes enjoyment of life. Women stop exercising because physical activity tends to worsen the condition – especially running or jumping, or activities involving weights, sit-ups or squats. Some avoid intimacy, fearing that prolapse or incontinence will repel their partners.

Pelvic floor physical therapy can help reduce the tension on the ligaments by strengthening the surrounding area, but the service can be hard to find. “It’s a very new field in the US,” she said. “In France, women receive ten sessions [with a physical therapist] starting in the hospital after every vaginal delivery.

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Featured

 Bringing Pelvic Organ Prolapse Out of the Shadows

One common type of prolapse is a prolapse of the bladder, called a cystocele. A cystocele occurs when the tissues supporting the wall between the bladder and vagina weaken and a portion of the bladder pushes into the vaginal walls, which then bulge into the vagina.

Articles of Interest

What Does A Prolapsed Bladder Feel Like?

A prolapsed bladder is caused when the pelvic floor has become weakened or compromised. Two of the most common things that cause a prolapse are childbirth and menopause.

‘You are not alone’: One patient’s story of life with a bladder prolapse

My message to the many, many women who are going through what I did – or anything like it – is that you don’t have to endure it. Find someone to talk to and describe your symptoms. You are definitely not alone, and there is a way to get back your quality of life, which is so important.

Resources

Innovo

Easy to use and comfortable to wear, INNOVO helps you safely and effortlessly strengthen and re-educate the entire network of pelvic floor muscles through gentle muscle stimulation. INNOVO is a truly non-invasive pelvic floor exerciser used in the comfort and privacy of home.

HealthDirect

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to prevent a prolapse if it has been caused by complications in childbirth or it is genetic. However, there are some things you can do which may help...

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Usually, the muscles and connective tissues that support the vaginal wall hold the bladder in place. With a cystocele, the muscles and tissues supporting the vagina weaken and stretch, allowing the bladder to move out of place. A cystocele is the most common type of pelvic organ prolapse.