When Harley Puddephatt, a vibrant 37-year-old Pilates instructor from Leeds, was warned that her active lifestyle had come to an end, she felt her world crumble. Diagnosed with prolapsed bladder and womb 18 months postpartum, she faced an uphill battle. “I thought my life as I knew it was over,” she laments.

Holly's journey began after giving birth to her daughter Thea, who is now three. During her check-up, she was dismissed by her GP, who advised her to just "live with it." Such responses are more common than one might think.

Understanding Pelvic Prolapse

A prolapsed womb, or uterine prolapse, occurs when the muscles and tissues that support the uterus weaken, making it slip down into the vagina—a condition that can range from mild discomfort to severe complications. "In serious cases, the uterus may even protrude outside the vagina," explains Dr. Shazia Malik, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Daye, a virtual women's health clinic.

Statistically speaking, one in ten women over 50 is affected by pelvic organ prolapse—a condition where pelvic organs like the bladder and rectum shift from their natural positions into the vagina. Causes include aging, pelvic floor injuries, and genetic connective tissue diseases, but childbirth, especially through vaginal delivery, significantly increases the risk. A 2013 study reported that up to half of women may experience some form of prolapse after giving birth, a fact that many may not be aware of.

While Holly initially attributed her discomfort to postpartum recovery, her symptoms worsened over time. "I felt like something was stuck inside me," she recalls. After seeking medical help again, she was met with indifference. "I left the appointment in tears. I was essentially told to just deal with it."

Symptoms and Awareness

Prolapse symptoms can manifest as a sensation of heaviness, lower back pain, or urinary and bowel control issues, with many women unaware they may not be suffering alone. "Many women don’t realize they could be symptom-free or that there are supportive treatments," noted Jo Dafforn, a pelvic health clinic lead at Nuffield Health.

Emotional wellbeing plays a crucial role in addressing these physical ailments. Dr. Malik emphasizes the importance of seeking specialist evaluation, devoid of stigma. "Women should never feel ashamed to consult professionals about their health concerns. It’s prevalent and treatable," she insists.

Finding Relief

After realizing her condition wasn’t improving, Holly finally turned to a private gynecologist who diagnosed her with both uterine and bladder prolapse. Under the guidance of a women's health physiotherapist, she began pelvic floor exercises that yielded significant improvements.

While some women may see improvements in as little as four weeks, others might require four months of training as per National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. In severe cases, surgical options could be explored, although they come with risks and the possibility of recurrence.

To supplement her recovery, Holly also turned to probiotics for digestive health—an often-overlooked factor in alleviating constipation, an exacerbator of prolapse symptoms.

A New Beginning

Now, with consistent pelvic floor exercises and the use of a removable vaginal pessary for support, Holly has re-embraced her active lifestyle, even running her own Pilates studio focused on helping other women with similar challenges.

"I wish I had more support early on," Holly shares. "I want to assure other women they're not alone; they don’t have to tolerate prolapse."

Even in an era of medical advancements and increased awareness about women's health, Holly's story exemplifies a crucial conversation that needs to happen more openly. For anyone wanting to connect with Holly or learn more about her journey, you can follow her on Instagram @hollyandthea.

Conclusion

Don’t let pelvic floor issues hold you back—there’s help out there, waiting to be sought!