Prolapse

I knew what pelvic organ prolapse (POP or prolapse) was prior to getting pregnant. Most do not. I was still sad, confused and scared when I was diagnosed at my first pelvic floor physical therapy session about 7 weeks post birth via c-section. I cannot imagine the emotions one feels when they are first diagnosed with prolapse when they have never heard of it, only know of it as a post-menopausal diagnosis or when googling symptoms and prolapse is stumbled upon. I have been the person to diagnose, or confirm Dr. Google's diagnosis for many women with this condition. I try to focus on education, which is hard because there is so little research for prolapse. The numbers below are from one study. It's about understanding how common this is and that you are not defined by the diagnosis. There is so much information out there on never lifting anything heavy again or never running or never x,y,z-ing again. I simply disagree. Prolapse happens for many reasons, pelvic floor muscle strength is one of those factors. Most medical professionals agree that pelvic floor muscle strengthening will help, I also agree with that statement. Kegels help coordinate muscles and when done against gravity might make some strength gains but those gains won't be enough for everyone's symptoms to disappear (and many people with prolapse need to learn to relax or stretch their pelvic floors before any strengthening should be done). Many of us need far more. I run, squat, deadlift and jump not despite my prolapse but because of it. I was not able to get back to heavy activity immediately after childbirth, in fact I am still slowly ramping up my exercise almost 2 years after the birth of my second child. Prolapse may be slowing me down but it's also making me appreciate everything my body has been able to do. My favorite analogy relates pelvic organs to boobs. This tissue probably won't sit where it used to, but it doesn't have to hurt. Please seek treatment or a diagnosis if you have any symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse; urinary or fecal incontinence, heaviness, pain or pressure in low back or pelvic floor, pain with sex, feeling of something falling out of your vagina or anus, or inability to keep a tampon in.