Hi Everyone!
First I want to say that I have the best blogging family! All of you encourage me, wish the best for me, and give me hope.
I met with the surgeon yesterday. What an amazing woman she is. I'm so thankful I was referred to her for my doctor.
Right now I don't need surgery, thank the gods. However, the problem I'm having effects 56% of women by the time they reach 50 and a lessor percentage for men. The percentages are most likely higher because men and some women don't report it. Plus you can be asymptomatic. I'm talking about pelvic organ prolapse. It's something we DON'T talk about. We are taught to exercise, work our bodies to maintain muscles and stability all of our lives.
We are NEVER told to maintain our pelvic floors. These muscles, and there are so many of them, are in layers and help keep everything in place. However, we are not taught how to properly breath, lift, or exercise those muscles. Why? The number one reason is stigma and embarrassment. Then there is lack of awareness, insufficient education from health care providers, dismissal and trivialization by medical professionals,
Misconceptions and miscommunication,
and finally, but not all, Obstacles like the cost of care, long waiting lists for specialized
treatment, and the time and effort required to find knowledgeable
providers also prevents people from seeking help.
We must normalize the conversation around pelvic organ prolapse.
That involves providing better education, promoting open dialogue, and finding healthcare providers that are trained to address these issues with
sensitivity and expertise. In today's world on line groups and videos are more help and free.
So let me be the first to say it. I have pelvic organ prolapse stage 2. It goes to stage 4. I have been through physical therapy and learned a lot.
The surgeon yesterday, explained to me that having surgery is not a total fix. If pelvic muscles are still weak and not strengthened in a few years surgery will be needed again. So, twice a day I'm doing PT at home and yoga to strengthen my muscles to keep my organs inside.
Are you having problems with this? I have a lot of good information if you need it.
Stay healthy and strong inside and out.
Nicole
...good news is always welcomed, keep it coming.
ReplyDeleteI was having problems a while back and my great doctor explained it was the pelvic floor needing to be strengthened with exercise. I hadn't even realized that of course it's muscle, of course it needs exercise. I found some great physical therapists from Australia on YouTube, and got a ton of help. I've found that oz has great physical therapy training. My American pt said yes, go for it if it's helping.
ReplyDeleteI also watch the PT from Australia. Also Dr. Bri.
DeleteMy mom never talked about any female issues whatsoever. Never told me about periods even. But I do remember she actually told me when she had a "prolapsed uterus". Said it was due to her having my brother and sister in the same year--one in January and one in December. I think she only told me because it was additional fuel for her resentment of the unwanted December sister. Had never heard about it since mom told me about her issue somewhere in the late 50s (born in '51 so it was before I even knew what a uterus was--lol!) I know she never had surgery. Did it ever get better? No clue. She would never have told me. Nothing I heard about since and always believed what she told me--that it was from having a second child too soon--lol! Thanks! Now I know more about it. :)
ReplyDeleteso glad you don't need surgery for now!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you don't need any surgery right now and doing PT.
ReplyDeleteIn Germany you can join a palvic floor exercise class for free after having giving birth. It's covered by health insurance and I found it very useful. I regularly do pelvic floor exercises, it's really important.
Your courage and knowledge will no doubt help others feel less alone and more empowered to seek support
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you won't need surgery.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're talking about this problem.
My mother must have had something similar and had surgery years ago. When you have an issue it's so important to talk about it openly because you encourage other people to talk and learn. Thank you so much !
I hope everything goes well Nicole!!
I think I should start such exercise as prevention. So wonderful you found a good doctor and do not need surgery!!!
ReplyDeleteGood news is always welcome. Great that you don’t need surgery and with luck the right exercise regime may put it off forever.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I learned something and decided that I should probably start doing pelvic floor exercises.
ReplyDeleteNicole you are so brave and strong to talk about this. I appreciate your honesty and I should probably be doing pelvic exercises too. I'm close to 50 and strengthening all muscles in the pelvic area is vital. I will be joining in and doing these exercises. I am happy you don't have to do the surgery. Sending you positivity and hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up backwards, as you may have guessed. Again, thank you for sharing this information, Nicole! Fortunately, I am not dealing with pelvic organ prolapse. I've been doing the preventive/improving situation exercises for POP at least 25 years, even though I was doing them for other reasons. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but you are being proactive, and spreading the word. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting. I looked up the symptoms and a couple hit home. I'll check out the exercises. But I wanted to say I was especially glad that you don't require surgery, at least not now, and it sounds like you are doing all the right things to keep it that way.. Well done!
ReplyDelete