Riding with pelvic organ prolapse - rectocele in particular

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equinedentistuk

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Hi,
I'm hoping there might be others out there that could help me, or that we could help/support each other?
I'm 41 years old and have just been diagnosed with a low level rectocele (A rectocele is a bulging of the front wall of the rectum into the back wall of the vagina. The rectum is the bottom section of your colon (large intestine). This is a very common problem that often does not produce symptoms) Basically my colon is making an attempt to leave my body via my vagina :mad::oops:o_O
I'm not having much success with getting to the bottom of whether I should still ride or not. I have three horses kept at home, one retired, one semi retired but needs to be kept in work as has cushings and is better when in full work, and my new competition horse whom I bought last June after spending 5 years trying to find him (who I have just advertised for sale :( as I don't think I can cope with having 1 to ride never mind 2).
Is there anyone out there that has been in a similar position?
Mine has been caused by a collagen disorder combined with two long assisted vaginal deliveries including a sizeable episiotomy. I am fit and slim and always have been - size8, eat well, regularly walk, paddleboard and do yoga daily. I have a flat lower back and a bleeding disorder which is also attributed to this condition. My pelvic floor is in great shape apparently (thank god, although I am working on it to refine things slightly). Ive overhauled my diet and realise that I drastically need to sort my work/life/stress balance.
Any help/advice/tissues would be greatfully received thank you
 
I have absolutely zero experience of your condition but I didn't want to read and run, poor you, this diagnosis must be hard to take, especially after buying your new horse. Surely your hospital consultant could advise you? Are you having any medical treatment? Wishing you the very best of luck.
 
I would find a good physio for pelvic floor exercises, this should make your pelvic muscles stronger, they will perhaps give you a better assesment of what you can do and it also helps it getting any worse. It could also increase your core strength but I am not an expert. You should have had a fact sheet, I have had a quick google and there is loads of stuff from hospitals of pelvic floor stuff.
Pelvic floor exercises is the one thing I have done since i was in my 20's, I am surprised its not talked about more.
 
I have had this condition for years and also have extensive abdominal adhesions and I wish I could help but my experience of the medical profession concerning this has been fairly negative, probably because consultants and GPs have no idea which muscles are involved in riding horses. The most help I had was from a private consultation with a nurse who specialises in prolapse problems at a teaching hospital. She gave me pelvic exercises, recommended some products to help keep me comfortable and advocated safe lifting techniques. If you are asymptomatic, have no pain or bowel/bladder function impairment I would simply carry on as you are, making sure you maintain the strength in your pelvic floor, this is probably your best safeguard (and avoid becoming constipated, look up safe technique for bowel evacuation without straining on the internet). If you became symptomatic and it affected your quality of life, repair operations can be done but I am a poor candidate for one because of my history of adhesions. Hopefully you will be able to carry on living normally and be able to enjoy your horse for many years.

It sucks when you first realise your body has become flawed but keep positive as much as you can while remaining aware that you may need to look after yourself a bit better than somebody unaffected. A vet gave me very good advice once, do not over tire your muscles as most injuries occur when muscles are getting tired and I am sure it also applies to pelvic ones. Keep fit but do not push yourself to do more than feels comfortable.
 
I have this. I was fitted with a vaginal doughnut pessary but I found it made no difference at all to my urinary incontinence or bowl function, so I took it out. I have been told nothing else can be done. I ride just as I always have and it gives me no issues, so might not be as bad as yours. I eat a very high fibre diet and keep my weight down. I always use the loo as soon as I feel any need, I never try and hold stuff in my bowel. I hope this doesn't gross anyone out, but I never strain to pass faeces and if necessary, will manually assist the emptying of my bowel. It's not pleasant but I figure it's worse being blind or unable to walk.
 
Hi there,
I know I am slightly late to this thread but I am a Women's (pelvic) health specialist Physiotherapist within the NHS and private sector. I work within the Equestrian industry also and keen to get awareness out there of the support women's health physiotherapists can provide in this area, but also from my perspective offering help and support to the equestrian community too!
We deal with pelvic floor dysfunctions, post natal tears, post natal concerns (pelvic floor and others such as diastasis recti and recovery from C section), prolapse and urine incontinence and can adapt rehabilitation to sport specific.
Please reach out to me if any of this support may help :) (a lot of support can be provided virtually which is good given the current circumstances!)
 
Hi !
i would love to have a virtual appointment with you to discuss riding with these annoying issues ! Please let me know how to do this.
Many thanks ?
 
lifestyle_physio said:
Hi there,
I know I am slightly late to this thread but I am a Women's (pelvic) health specialist Physiotherapist within the NHS and private sector. I work within the Equestrian industry also and keen to get awareness out there of the support women's health physiotherapists can provide in this area, but also from my perspective offering help and support to the equestrian community too!
We deal with pelvic floor dysfunctions, post natal tears, post natal concerns (pelvic floor and others such as diastasis recti and recovery from C section), prolapse and urine incontinence and can adapt rehabilitation to sport specific.
Please reach out to me if any of this support may help :) (a lot of support can be provided virtually which is good given the current circumstances!)
Click to expand...



I'm so sorry I have only just seen this, may I message you? Thank you
 
ycbm said:
I have this. I was fitted with a vaginal doughnut pessary but I found it made no difference at all to my urinary incontinence or bowl function, so I took it out. I have been told nothing else can be done. I ride just as I always have and it gives me no issues, so might not be as bad as yours. I eat a very high fibre diet and keep my weight down. I always use the loo as soon as I feel any need, I never try and hold stuff in my bowel. I hope this doesn't gross anyone out, but I never strain to pass faeces and if necessary, will manually assist the emptying of my bowel. It's not pleasant but I figure it's worse being blind or unable to walk.
Click to expand...


Thank you for sharing your experience, can I pm you about this? I am also a very poor candidate for surgery for a number of reasons, not least the fact that the 3 I've had in my life went wrong and I nearly died ?. I'd love to talk to you about it. Thank you
 
lifestyle_physio said:
Hi there,
I know I am slightly late to this thread but I am a Women's (pelvic) health specialist Physiotherapist within the NHS and private sector. I work within the Equestrian industry also and keen to get awareness out there of the support women's health physiotherapists can provide in this area, but also from my perspective offering help and support to the equestrian community too!
We deal with pelvic floor dysfunctions, post natal tears, post natal concerns (pelvic floor and others such as diastasis recti and recovery from C section), prolapse and urine incontinence and can adapt rehabilitation to sport specific.
Please reach out to me if any of this support may help :) (a lot of support can be provided virtually which is good given the current circumstances!)
Click to expand...
How can we contact you for some help
 
equinedentistuk said:
Thank you for sharing your experience, can I pm you about this? I am also a very poor candidate for surgery for a number of reasons, not least the fact that the 3 I've had in my life went wrong and I nearly died ?. I'd love to talk to you about it. Thank you
Click to expand...

Of course you can, I don't think there's much more I can add, though.
.
 
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