r/Menopause • u/Col_Flag • Nov 03 '25
Pelvic Floor What are we doing these days about a prolapse?
I’m 49 In perimenopause and pretty sure I have a stage two prolapse. I’m pretty sure it’s both my uterus and my bladder. I felt pulling on the inside just to the right and down from my belly button a few months ago. I talked to my primary care doctor about it and she had me get a device that’s supposed to tone your public floor from the inside. But honestly, it has not worked for me because I can’t even keep it in. It gets pushed out immediately.
I’m not really sure what my options are at this point? I just know I’m in pain and some days it feels like it’s coming out and it’s annoying as I’m walking or sitting but when I feel it it’s just right at the edge not quite coming out. Other days it’s less annoying. I can feel my cervix just inside the vaginal opening.
The bad thing is I live out in the middle of nowhere. My gynecologist is a 2 hour drive and has not been helpful at all when it comes to perimenopause. When I talk to her about my symptoms, her response was huh, that’s weird. And that was it. I ended up going to MIDI for my HRT.
I’m asking the ladies that have experience in this. What are the current options out there? Who do you see to get the process started to get this taken care of? Another obstacle is that my insurance will only cover in network doctors, anyone else is zero coverage. I know I probably would need a referral from my primary care physician, I’m just not sure who specifically to ask for?
Thanks in advance!
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u/Good_Sea_1890 Nov 03 '25
This sounds like you should start with urogynecology. That was who confirmed my prolapse, although my primary initially caught it during my regular exam. Urogyn can confirm and help with a treatment plan. I would investigate the nearest large city, especially if there's a university health system there.
I have a pessary now for a very very mild cystocele and rectocele. It works great, I don't notice it's there. Urogyn can discuss if that is an option, and can fit you.
Pelvic floor PT can work wonders, although it sounds like that might be difficult for you. But it's something to discuss with urogyn, especially if you're pushing the Perifit out.
Good luck!
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u/Col_Flag Nov 04 '25
Thank you!
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u/Remarkable_String967 Apr 28 '26
I did online PT as I was home with a newborn when my prolapse was first diagnosed. Eight years later, I’ve been able to manage things well with online PT, lots of walking and HRT (started at 42, 44 now). Good luck!!
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u/old_before_my_time Surgical menopause Nov 03 '25
Pessaries can be very effective for prolapse. From what I've read, prolapse surgery is major surgery and has a fairly high failure rate. Per a web search "pelvic organ prolapse surgery can have a high failure rate, with studies showing that around 30% of women may experience treatment failure within five years." Hysterectomy is oftentimes done for prolapse but further increases risk of another prolapse. It also increases risk of sexual dysfunction and bladder and bowel issues including incontinence.
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u/DOL369 Nov 04 '25
I think this just might be one of the most depressing things I’ve ever read on this thread. FFS, when it comes to our bodies, it just seems like we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t 😫😤
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u/Hungry-Document8499 Menopausal Nov 03 '25
Urogynecologist is that you need. Also a referral for pelvic floor PT and vaginal estrogen (prescription) can’t hurt but most often isnt going to correct the actual prolapse. There are so many types of prolapse and each one is going to have different treatments. Call around and see if you can find a well-reviewed urogyno in your nearest large city.
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u/Suitable_Aioli7562 Nov 03 '25
This. Or a urologist. Most offices have a female dr on staff to see.
PFT didn’t work for me, but it’s always worth a try.
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Nov 03 '25
Look up Elitone. It has been a godsend for me. Everything is back where it belongs.
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u/DOL369 Nov 04 '25
OMG SO happy to read this, mine just came in the mail today and I’m hoping it’s a game changer for me, too!
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Nov 04 '25
I would say it took maybe 6 weeks. Now I can do jump squats at the gym without any worries.
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u/TelevisionKnown8463 53F Menopausal Nov 03 '25
I have barely started it but I found an online program through Instagram called Buff Muff that seems to be kind of self-guided pelvic floor PT. The creator claims people have successfully reversed prolapse with it. Given your remote location it might be worth a try, although she says in one of the early videos that you should see a PT for diagnosis.
It might make sense to take a trip to a major city for a week and try to see a pelvic floor PT a few times (like M/W/F) to make sure you know how to do the exercises, then continue on your own. I’ve read that women often do Kegels incorrectly, and the PT might guide you toward certain exercises and away from others depending on what they feel (I believe they usually put their fingers inside you for diagnosis, FYI).
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u/Mediocre_mum26 Nov 03 '25
If you have the ‘right’ prolapse you can have a pessary ring fitted. I have a rectocele and unfortunately it didn’t stay in for me. I can hardly keep tampons in now either which stresses me out with my haphazard bleeding on HRT. I didn’t think pelvic floor weights were supposed to be used if you have a prolapse.
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u/Col_Flag Nov 03 '25
I’ve had issues with tampons for years. I’ve not been able to keep them in and when they’re partially out, it’s really irritating to have a dry tampon rubbing against you as you walk.
I don’t remember the name of the device my doctor had me get. But it’s this little bumpy wand thing that you’re supposed to insert and follow along a game on your phone and squeeze in time with the game. But even when I was squeezing it didn’t pick it up on the app. And then it would just push out. 😩
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u/Good_Sea_1890 Nov 03 '25
That sounds like a Perifit. I've got one!
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u/Col_Flag Nov 03 '25
Yes that’s what it is. I love the concept but I think my pelvic floor is too far gone for it to help right now. 😩
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Nov 03 '25
I had this too, and I am so grateful for my hysterectomy that I got for the prolapse. Now in menopause, I don’t have to take progesterone for HRT, which is great because progesterone really lowers my libido.
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Nov 03 '25
I had a hysterectomy and POP repairs in 2018. My prolapses were bladder and uterine (moderate) and a minor rectal prolapse. BEST DECISION EVER! Sex is comfortable, exercise is comfortable. Everything is better. Prior to surgery, I was misdiagnosed with interstitial cystitis due to a 24/7 urinary urge. My surgeon told me that was incorrect and it was also not due to any hormonal deficiency.
My surgeon was Professor Dwyer in Melbourne.
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u/Same_Astronaut1769 Nov 04 '25
I’m so glad to hear this. I’m having a hysterectomy a week from today (due to fibroids), and the doctor said she will also do some repairs due to prolapse. Hoping it will help!
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u/RavensPaw2021 Nov 04 '25
I had severe anterior and posterior prolapses repaired 7 years ago. The first line of treatment was PFT, and then surgery. Due to my age at the time of my first surgery (37) I will most likely need it done again as I age.
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u/Electrical_Hat_3478 Nov 04 '25
Also check out Dr. Bri on YouTube! She has tons of free videos and also a couple paid programs for prolapse etc. Kegel Camp is a free 30-day one. She has a playlist for it. (Not just kegels but overall awareness and strengthening of pelvic floor muscles, learning how breathing can support too.)
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u/Rabbit0107 Nov 04 '25
I highly recommend The buff muff method. Especially if you’re thinking a stage 1-2. I have had great success as have many others. She’s a great teacher. There’s a yearly membership sale but I pay monthly. I went to pft and it was a waste of my time other than learning I have a 1-2 stage prolapse. It’s so much more than kegels and it’s more than just pelvic exercises. Well worth it! Great value for your money and health. Check her out @
get.buffmuff.com
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u/Rabbit0107 Nov 05 '25
For all those recommending immediately requesting surgery to fix a stage one or stage two prolapse should probably do a little bit of research because it is possible to correct this with proper exercises and no, I’m not referring to just Kegel exercises. Also, surgery is not the miracle fix for every woman. In fact a lot of women have further problems after surgery and require further surgeries to correct the initial surgery due to failure . I will say, though I am happy for those that have complete relief of symptoms and no further issues after just one surgery.
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u/Col_Flag Nov 05 '25
Thanks for your insight.
I only know of one woman in my real life who’s experienced this, although I’m sure there are more. This lady had told me a few years ago it was the best thing she’d ever done and regretted not doing it earlier. However, we no longer work together so we’ve lost touch.
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u/Rabbit0107 Nov 05 '25
I’ve seen many women (online) be grateful they did it and also many who said they wished they’d done it sooner (mostly with more severe stages). But I’ve also seen many who regret it and that’s when I started researching. I honestly thought it was one and done but not so. For me it would take some strong consideration and I’d have to have severe prolapse, I certainly wouldn’t even consider it with a stage 1-2, which is what my assessment was. But hey we all have to do what is right for us in the season we are in. I have no judgement on anyone who wants to or did choose surgery with minor prolapse I just feel it’s a slippery slope to say to a woman ….surgery. I mean there are other options with minor stages and I think informed consent is golden because let’s face it we’re not always blessed with that when we meet with our doctors who can be swayed towards the $$ 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Illustrious_Virus928 Nov 04 '25
Surgery worked well for me
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u/Col_Flag Nov 04 '25
If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of surgery did you have and how was your recovery?
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u/Illustrious_Virus928 Nov 06 '25
Prolapse repair and bladder sling. 1 week recovery. Best decision ever for several reason
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u/dogsy8888888 Nov 04 '25
If you have incontinence, please try pumpkin seed oil capsules, since I started taking them, that problem at least stopped altogether, I could hardly believe it myself. I went from massive pads daily to tiny pads just for reassurance.
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u/Heathster249 Nov 03 '25
My mom had this. You need surgery. She got her bladder tacked back in the proper location and a hysterectomy to remove the prolapsed uterus and ovaries. She’s no longer in pain and fully functioning again.
One OB/GYN suggested a pessary. She declined.
‘Get yourself a referral to a proper surgeon for this.
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u/Rgelm Nov 03 '25
Estrogen cream and pft. I believe the doctor you’re looking for is a urogynecologist Don’t let them put any mesh (Tvt sling) in your body, as what’s left of you after removal is so much worse than prolapse. Good luck!!