Video
Dr Pixie V/O:
42 year old, Debbie, is so embarrassed by her vagina, she’s paid it no attention at all. A mum of three, Debbie’s happy marriage has split open since giving birth to a very large baby boy, Samuel.
Debbie:
It’s not till afterwards, weeks later, when you’ve gone to have sex, that I realised that there was something drastically wrong and I literally, I just screamed and pushed him off, and i’ve pushed him away ever since, really.
I felt like, my sex life is over.
Debbie’s partner:
The last two and a half years have been kind of a a strange journey, really. She doesn’t really like me to touch her or anything like that, em, obviously, I’m still a man and it’s still, you know, I still want to.
Dr Pixie:
Debbie’s had enough of suffering in silence.
Debbie:
I look like a woman, but, I’m not a proper woman.
Debbie V/O:
Inside I’m mangled.
Dr Pixie V/O:
She’s come to our clinic to see Dr Harper.
Debbie:
Hello.
Dr Harper:
Come and take a seat.Tell me, what are we doing for you today?
Debbie:
Em, well, two and a half years ago I had my son and since then I’ve had problems, em, with my vagina. It seems really loose.
Dr Harper:
So you think you might have split the vaginal wall?
Debbie:
Definitely feels different, like now when I have sex I have no sensation down there at all.
Dr Harper:
Can you use tampons, for example?
Debbie:
The only ones that work really are the super plus extra ones and my friend’s had her period and she didn’t have any tampons and when I pulled out the ones I had she burst out laughing. I feel like I’m old and internally damaged and scarred.
Dr Harper:
We need to do something about that. We ought to have a little look.
Alright Debbie, what I want you to do first of all is just to strain down, a bit like you were just trying to open your bowels. Ok, the wall of your rectum is actually just coming actually out of the vaginal opening. I’m just gonna pop a speculum in.
You’ve actually got weakness at the front and the back, Debbie. What I’m gonna get you to do now is just to pop onto your left side.
Debbie:
Yep.
Dr Harper:
Curled up like a baby. Alright.
Dr Pixie V/O:
The muscles in Debbie’s vagina are so loose that her bladder and rectum are pushing through it, causing her to leak both urine and faeces.
Dr Harper:
You’re going to need an operation just to, to tighten all that up, but that’s probably quite straight forward. So, if you wanna pop your things on, alright, and I’ll drop a letter to the gynaecologist to get a second opinion.
Dr Pixie V/O:
Debbie suffered for two and a half years but her cry for help is being answered.
Debbie:
OK, thank you. Bye.
Debbie V/O:
I can’t begin to explain how nice it is to think that everything can be put back to how it was before, be like a virgin.
Debbie:
Nice knickers.[laughs]
Debbie V/O: Now, I’m worried about afterwards, whether my expectations are too high.
Dr Pixie:
Debbie’s problem is that the walls of her vagina are under pressure from both sides. Her rectum is trying to force its way through the back wall while her bladder is pushing through from the front. The surgeon is pushing the rectum back and then stitching the walls of the vagina in order to strengthen it.
Surgeon:
It’s a very dibilitating and embarrassing process whereby she lost urine and lost faeces as well as she had a loss of sexual subsection. So maybe if she didn’t have surgery, as time went on and she got older she would get-
Dr Pixie:
It’s four weeks since Debbie’s operation to tighten her vagina. It was so damaged by childbirth, her list of problems was endless. She’s back to share her most intimate secrets with Dr Harper.
Debbie:
I can just about fit a tampon inside. [laughs]
Dr Harper:
That’s a result, isn’t it? I mean you must feel much better in yourself.
Debbie:
Yeah, it’s just, it’s really improved my quality of life.
Dr Harper:
So, have you dared try sex yet?
Debbie:
No, it’s too soon. I’ve gotta wait another two weeks. He still hasn’t seen.
Dr Harper:
Has he not?
Debbie: No!
Dr Harper:
When’s he gonna get the unveiling?
Debbie:
Hopefully soon, I’ve wrote a date on the calendar.
Dr Harper:
Have you?
Debbie:
Two weeks time [laughs]
Dr Harper:
Have you really?
Debbie:
Yeah
Dr Harper:
And, and basically, that’s six weeks from the op because you’ve probably been told, have you, that you need to just let yourself heal for the next six weeks.
Debbie:
Yes, yes, that’s correct.
Dr Harper:
I think that’s a complete result, isn’t it.
Debbie:
Mm, yeah, it’s very very good, isn’t it.
Dr Harper:
Well you look like a different girl.
Debbie:
Yeah, well I am! I’m like a virgin now! [they laugh]
Dr Harper:
There will be literally thousands of women in the UK in the position that Debbie was in before she went for her operation, and I would say to each and every one of them, please go and see your GP and ask for help. I mean, just look at the difference it’s made to her. It says it all.
Consultation: Vaginal Prolapse
Dr Harper examines a woman who has suffered a prolapsed vagina after the birth of her bouncing baby boy.
If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>
Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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I'm 18, and a few months ago, after having intercourse, I got my period. I noticed something coming out of the opening while trying to put a tampon in. I can see and feel that something is obviously not right down there. I saw my doctor, and she just brushed it off like nothing was wrong and sent me home within ten minutes. umm hello.. you think i would know my own vagina. So with that being said.. do you think i should get a second opinion or just live with this? As of right now, I sometimes have light cramping, and I'm not constipated. Thanks!
im 37 and have had 4 (2 of which were nearly 11lb) babies all vaginal births with tears and my 3rd birth midwife had to put fingers up to help baby down as uteres wasnt contracting 1 side, since the birth of my last child whos now 6, i havent felt right, i felt like i havent been stitched right and very loose until recently i now feel as if i have testicles popping in and out, i urine often and it hinders any activities,im up two three times in the night for a wee and im constipated alot of the time, i have mega pain when standing for long periods of time and when bending up and down,(which i have to do at work)and i have a general feeling of awkwardness, my main docter referred me to a physio saying i had a proplapse to two sides??? one being my womb, i had to have a smear but as my womb is tilted too this was incredably painful, i cry alot now ive never been so emotional :( i feel as if i have no quality of life and its putting major pressure on myself and hubby
hi i had the same symptoms as you. i have 3 sons who were also large babies.i had a hysterectomy last year but now i have a prolapse on the front and back walls.i saw the surgeon today and going to have another operation to tighten things up.mine happened because i was doing heavy lifting as a carer.please go back to your doctor and ask to see a consultant.good luck i know how you are feeling
I got an appointment with surgeon on 13th feb, do I ask for a hysterectomy, they were talking bout mesh or tape?? I have read negative views on the options, I still have to see physio although thus is point less I do my pelvic floors, alwAys have, but I sneeze alot and these are undone as soon as I have sneezing fit, thank u for advice x
I'm 25 now and had my little girl at 21 and after having her I kept being constipated which obviously was making me push hard every time I went to the toilet. Well when she was about 1 and half I went to the Dr's (a female) and said something's not right down there.. she said everything looked normal. After watching this video when it was aired i went back to the Dr's and it was a different female and she said it looked normal. Its not normal when I go to the toilet and wipe there is a bulge I haven't let my other half down there since having my little girl. And I'm now 37 weeks pregnant and scared of everything falling out (I know it probably won't but that's how i feel)
im 39 and have just been told i need a hystorectomy as my uterus, bladder and rectum have all prolasped. they will also repair my vaginal wall where my bladder has come into it but cannot do the same for my rectum as the vaginal passage could become very small and cause pain during sex so will have this repair done at a later date. i have always had heavy periods and given birth naturaly to three large babies but my youngest is 16 now and only realised i had a problem two years ago. i have had coils fitted for the last twelve years but had bad experiances with them. three years ago i collasped at work in pain. it felt like i was in labour with a continuous contraction that lasted about thirty mins. afterwards my vagina had a mass of internal tissue bulging out. i should have gone to the hospital then but instead went home and saw gp next day. by this time after resting for a day my bulge had gone and after a check my gp said only my urine was showing slight a abnormality as in traces of blood. my coil was overdue for removal but my cervix went into spasm when she tried to remove it so i was booked into hospital for numerous scans and tests and they put me under for the coils removal. the only thing they found was one of my felopian tubes had a break in it and so no longer worked. they gave me various reasons why this could have happend but said there was nothing else to worry about. since then i noticed my cervix was a lot lower and i was having to urinate a lot more as i never felt like my bladder had emptied fully. my vaginal bulge came and went but i put it down to my time of month but in november my bulge didnt go back and after two weeks went back to gp for check. i told her i thought i had prolaspe and she said i was to young but after checking ate humble pie and booked me in to see a specialist and im now awaiting my surgery. looking back i can only say i should have sorted this out earlier before it got so bad but after having all the tests and investigations 2 years ago i thought i was ok. my symptoms havent changed since then, i still feel heaviness down there, pee often and little amounts,get very tired,have lower back pain often,heavy periods, painful cramps which can be worse after sex. the only change was my prolaspe becoming constant.i had put my symptoms down to heavy periods and carried on but now im hoping after my surgery i will have a better quality of life. by telling others hopefuly more women wont suffer in silence.
Hi i am 23 and had a ver big baby 2 years i ago i have jus been diagnoised with a minor bladder prolapse. Can i still wear tampons and will the prolapse keep gettin worse?! Please help im very upset about the hole thing!!! : (
Hi all, I'm 30, mummy of two. I had two great labours,but I'm am very petite and my last baby was big and although I didn't tear u had horrendous swelling and im convinced I have a prolapse. It dosent look right (I didn't look Pre birth but I'm sure it didn't look like it does now!). When I have my period and am standing for a while I get a very strong dull aching down below which I have never had prior to my last birth. Sex is massively de sensitised since my last labour too. Anyone with a prolapsed vaginal wall have similar symptoms?
every women knows their own body and you should not just ignore this as i did and now i have to have major surgery to correct a prolasped uterus, bladder and rectum and im only 39. dont be embarrased as i was. since talking about my experiance i have found its alot more common and not just something older ladies suffer from. my gp told me she only saw my kind of prolaspe in ladies over sixty which depressed me but i think younger women have this complaint and just suffer in silence until like me the symptons get worse and we seek help. hope you heed my advice as if i had done something earlier i maybe would have had a better quality of life for the last few years. good luck with everthing x
I have had a prolapse for a fair while now- it has got worse as times gone by- I was to embarrassed and didn't want to tell anyone- but now people know and I see my Dr tomorrow . I believe I have a Rectocele (prolapse of the rectum) and maybe another type - of caurse I am no Dr so cannot be 100% the reason I think it's a rectocele is the fact I can not go to the toilet- I used to be a daily girl - regular as clock work , as we say ........ now.... well now it's 3 days + ... I'm very constipated and now eat very little because of the ordeal I have to go through..... Basically - every time I ---- Hmmmm now what's the 'best' word for this ....... Poo? Crap? stool? turd ? number 2 ? list is endless and this is just some without bad language ..... so shall I go with stool ? ....ok....... (diversion of word choice over) Soooo as I was saying .. every time I'm trying to pass a 'stool' I'm very constipated ... The stool does not fall the way it's supposed to- i can not push it out .. there is bulging in and around my vagina - the stool is simply going the wrong way - so , to me this seems To be a rectocele... I have had a look and can see a big lump/bulge - I've also had a feel and it's distressing as to what's going on - nothing seems to be in it's right place :-( I also have endometriosis - my periods have become so so bad of late - literally on all the time and only having a few days break - loosing a lot of blood - I can hardly sit at times my back and stomach hurt so much- I'm wondering , out of curiosity , how many have endometriosis and think there is a link ? a hormonal link ..... I have just turned 36 this Dec - also I believe medication I have to take may be a factor as well... the medication I have is known to mess with hormones- The torment I have had and still have with this is unbelievable - the mix of it all - prolapse , endometriosis (and I also have a life long illness ) I'm exhausted beyond anything . tomorrow I see my Dr - and I'm scared- the whole process to go through- the thought of what is to come is overwhelming - I think mine is very far gone so I'm guessing surgery - and then I have the endometriosis to sort out ( another long story-I have had it for Years) and I think the options are running low for that- so again - more surgery (I have tried practically everything) I'm sorry this is so long ..... I guess-.... I REALLY needed to get this off my chest- so I thank you for reading :-) it's good ,in a way ,to know others are in the same boat ..... Although I would not wish this on anyone ... XcX
I'm 39 and have full vag prolapse, means uterus,bladder and rectum... Lucky me, I know.... I have a few tips: 1). Avoid cheese and bread.... And ugh... Chocolate ( all known to cause constipation). Be very mindful of balanced diet with lots of fruit/veg fibre. 2). EVERY TIME you have a bowel movement place you thumb in your vagina with the pad of your thumb holding the bulging wall where it should be if it wasnt stretched (your best estimate will do). Place your index and next finger on rather side of your anus to support it. Now make a fist with your other hand and gently blow short puffs of air into it just above your thumb. With practice this alone will get your bowels to empty. Once the movement has started (and ONLY once it has started to avoid further damaging yourself) take your right hand and reach straight above your head and then across above your left shoulder and twist your upper torso with it.... Surprise... Out will pop your bowel movement . All with ZERO bearing down. Which will greatly reduce your discomfort and can even naturally improve your rectal and/or other prolapse. You have to be dedicated and do this EVERY time and it gets easier with practice. Carry condoms with you for your thumb if you are away from home and just toss in the napkin receptical in ladies bathrooms then wash up as normal.... Always wash before and after using this technique. 3) google diaphragmatic lift and do it religiously.... That will improve and sometimes even eliminate rectal and/or bladder prolapse. 4). Lose any excess weight you will have a much faster recovery if you carry less weight and are fitter... You can exercise just avoid internal pressure. Google Michelle Kenway in Austrailia if you want good clear, free online tips for this. Good luck, stay positive and know its not the end of the world :)
Hi Carrie, I have just posted on another page for rectocele and prolapsed retum. I too suffer from this condition. I also have Intussuception (tunnelling of the retum in on top of itself) and pelvic floor prolapse. I have been advised i need a STARR procedure to correct this however it does not have a high success rate. I have spent months reading up on this and all i have seen is horror stories that those who have had this procedure done have more problems now that they did before hand. I cannot go on the way i am on 5 laxitives (bisicodyl and resolor) at the minute as like yourself i have around 20 trips to the bathroom each day and numerous during the night to pass very little liquid as i cannot pass anything else but without emptyen my bowels it feels like i am pushing against a brick wall. You should ask your gp to refer you to a consultant to have a protogram done. Its not am very pleasant procedure but will show doctors if you do have a rectocele. I do sympathise with you and wish you all the best and hope you get it treated x
I had a vaginal prolapse and needed surgery which cost sooo much money! I also started using this vagina cream and it helps alot too.. http://tighteningthevagina.com/vagina-tightening-cream-intivar-review
Hello , I am 21 years old and for the first time in my life I'm getting this weird pressure in my vagina as if something is pushing out from the side. Almost like a babys head pushing against the entrance of my vagina. I have mucus clear discharge with no odor but larger amount compared to usual. The pain is constant when i walk and when i sit but when i lay down its not as bad. I am NOT pregnant, just had my period 4 days ago. please help...
from i had my son nearly two years ago i fear that my down below isnt the same. when i feel inside my cervix is very low down and im very concious of this when havin sex. any one no what it might be? its not soar but my confidence is really affected by this.
