Uterine prolapse appears to be a collagen–related problem that often runs in families and is more common in fair-skinned individuals, especially redheads. Without some form of intervention, prolapses do tend to worsen over time.
Healing Alternatives
In the last decade, several surgical techniques have become available to suspend the uterus—including laparoscopic suspension—thus “curing” the prolapse without removing the uterus.
Spiritual and Holistic Options
Pessaries are mechanical devices that come in many different shapes and sizes that are worn in the vagina to help keep the uterus and cervix in place. They are especially useful during activities that are associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as lifting or aerobics, which tend to push the uterus further out. It is both an art and a science to fit them correctly, and many gynecologists have limited experience with them.
When the prolapse is mild (the cervix is low in the vagina but not protruding from the opening), strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with Kegel’s exercises can sometimes prevent its progression.
Learn More — Additional Resources
- Saving the Whole Woman: Natural Alternatives to Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence, by Christine Kent
- The Wisdom of Menopause, by Christiane Northrup, M.D., Chapter 8, “Creating Pelvic Health and Power”
- Women’s Bodies, Women’sWisdom, by Christiane Northrup, M.D., Chapter 9
Hi I have a prolapse womb which is very uncomfortable some days it literally bulges out of my vagina and I regularly have bladder infections. I cannot lift heavy objects can’t even gym . I do not have any medical insurance and cannot afford an operation. Is there any meds I could take to help asbim quite desperate.
Thank you
Dear Christiane,
I’ve watched your video with Jessica Ortner today and it brought me into tears. You always talk about changing our attitude and mindset to improve health. But then I wonder, can we really do some holistic treatment or tapping or any mindful practice to deal with prolapse?
I have cystoceles and rectoceles as well as uterine prolapse – Grade 2. I am 52 years old and my life has changed drastically since that started more than two years ago. I had to give up biking, the gym, long walks and making effort.
I’ve tried to make peace with my body and to adapt myself to this new condition. Health care system is not good where I live (I am fron Argentina and I live in San Juan province.). The three women I know who have undergone surgery for their prolapse did not have good experiences, there were treated like cattle and they ended up with no sexual life possible or even worse problems with other organs.
I try to be careful with my diet, my movements and the activities I do, so then I can have some good days when organs are not so out of place and do not weigh that much downwards.
At the beginning I felt useless. Nowadays, I am more at ease with my body, I know I cannot climb two buses (steps are quite high and require effort), twice a day; if I lift some boxes then I pay the consequences and I have to avoid my bladder and my bowels from getting swollen.
Is everything in our body subject to change? Is everything related to our genes? On the video I mentioned before, you said that the environment, our attitude, the people with hang out and our diet affect our genes.
I’d appreciate some advice on this issue. I cannot afford travelling to another city (Buenos Aires or Córdoba) to find a good and safe surgeon.
I want to protect my uterus and my energies and I wouldn’t like to be treated like a piece of flesh. For most doctors here, the easiest way out is to get rid of all the organs or part of them which are causing any issue. I’ve always wondered if they would chop your arms or legs so easily. So much care is taken with the outside of our body, yet, the unseen parts are not considered important for the balance of our system.
Thanks in advance for your time.
I would like to hear what Dr. Northrup has to say in response to the letter above from Ms. Lorenza. I have similar problems and I am now wearing bladder leakage pads. Whenever I cough hard, I lose control. I had already been told about the rectocele and cystocele but I also have a prolapsed urethra. It may have happened while lifting very heavy boxes during a move 2 years ago. I also can’t have intercourse and find no satisfaction with the clitoris which has become insensitive. I am a young 65, meaning I dance, do yoga, walk and am a working musician. I have not watched video mentioned above but will look for it. Could you please give some advice? Thank you in advance.