Hi I’m Jacky Swanepoel and I’ve been a Professional Homeopath now for over 20 years. “Fowey Homeopathy” is my Facebook page, if you would like to read a bit more about Homeopathy and how it could help you. I am am a registered Homeopath with the Society of Homeopaths and an affiliate member of the Faculty of Homeopathy.
Bladder prolapse is a really common problem for many menopausal women. It is estimated over 60% of women over the age of 55 years of age are affected, impacting on their emotional health and overall quality of life. Whilst the market is flooded with products you can buy “to keep in your Handbag” helping protect you from embarrassing leaks etc, there is unfortunately very little literature out there to help women address the actual cause of their symptoms.
When I had my children over 30 years ago, there was little or no instruction on pelvic floor health after childbirth, and unfortunately today it appears to be not much better. Even today a lot of pelvic floor muscle advise is totally out of date, and some advise even detrimental to pelvic floor health. Forceps delivery as well as other childbirth trauma, along with an inherited predisposition to lax ligaments, can be huge contributing factors to the poor ligament and muscle tone of our pelvic floors. Ligaments generally become more lax over time as we age, due to the reduction in collagen levels and hormonal changes generally.
So how and where can we get help with these issues?
There is a document available from “The British Association of Urological Surgeons” “PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES IN WOMEN” www.baus.org.uk which gives excellent information regarding good pelvic floor exercises. Vaginal pessaries (really easy to use and self care often just as simple), if fitted by a really good practitioner specialising in vaginal/bladder prolapse can be a life changer. There are also brilliant hormone free vaginal moisturisers on the market “Yes” being just one of them.
Your GP or practise nurse may or may not be the right person for the job, so you may have to do a bit of searching before you give up on the non surgical options. There are fantastic Gynaecologists who special in non surgical treatment of bladder prolapse.
A really good place to start before opting for surgery, which could have the potential to exacerbate your symptoms rather than improve them. Surgery also being non reversible and often requiring more than one surgery.
Pilates and targetted pelvic floor exercises can be invaluable.
There are also Pelvic Floor Physio’s who specialise in pelvic floor health.
Homeopathic treatment in conjunction with good pelvic floor exercises can be very effective in improving your pelvic floor health, and many distressing associated symptoms. Homeopathic treatment as with all our patients will be tailored to the individual. Your particular symptoms, directing the Homeopath to your individual remedy prescription. Your emotional health, sleep patterns and symptoms all individual to you; are the key to potential Homeopathic success.
Tissue salts and Herbal organ support could be used in conjunction with Homeopathic remedies. These can help ligament elasticity and help support the bladder and kidneys overall health. As with any treatment not all symptoms may be totally resolved depending on the severity and longevity of your condition. A combination of Homeopathic treatment as well as a well fitted vaginal pessary may be right combination for you.
I have had conversations with patients who have been too embarrassed to go to their GP, as well as feeling isolated and depressed about their symptoms and ultimately their own bodies. It certainly is time for women to feel empowered and get the help they so richly deserve, including the generations of women to come, who will also go through the menopause as a natural process in their lives. The education of our young women as to their pelvic floor health needs to be addressed as a matter of priority.