Coping with a Prolapse

Prolapse of the posterior (back) vaginal wall

Rectocele (prolapse of the rectum) - This type of vaginal prolapse involves a prolapse of the back wall of the vagina (rectovaginal fascia). Rectoceles and enteroceles develop if the lower pelvic muscles become damaged by pregnancy, labour, childbirth, or a previous pelvic surgery or when the muscles are weakened by aging. When this wall weakens, the rectal wall pushes against the vaginal wall, creating a bulge. This bulge may become especially noticeable during bowel movements. Rectocele and enterocele formation may occur together, especially in women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus or womb). There are many different kinds of Pelvic Floor Exercises that you can use to combat these symptoms.
• Enterocele (prolapse of the small bowel) - Part of the small intestine that lies just behind the uterus (in a space called the pouch of Douglas) may slip down between the rectum and the back wall of the vagina. This often occurs at the same time as a rectocele or uterine prolapse.
• Rectocele (prolapse of the rectum or large bowel) - This occurs when the end of the large bowel (rectum) loses support and bulges into the back wall of the vagina. It is different from a rectal prolapse (when the rectum falls out of the anus). A rectocele or an enterocele may become large or more obvious when a woman strains or bears down during a bowel movement.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Prolapse is when the pelvic floor muscles become weak or damaged and can no longer support the pelvic organs. The movement of the vaginal wall from its normal position along with the bladder, bowel or womb is caused by damage to the ligaments in the pelvis. These ligaments act as guy ropes supporting the womb and the strength giving layers overlying the bowel and bladder.

The main causes of prolapse are childbearing and any condition leading to chronic straining (constipation, smokers cough or being overweight). The womb (uterus) is the only organ that actually falls into the vagina. When the bladder and bowel slip out of place, they push up against the walls of the vagina.

While prolapse is not considered a life threatening condition it may cause a great deal of discomfort and distress. Some degree of prolapse affects up to 30% of women who have had children. It is more common as women age, and is rarely seen in women without children, or those who have not gone through the menopause. If you are in any doubt whether or not you are going through the menopause, there are lots of over-the-counter menopause tests that you can now buy. Its better you know than to worry about this.

There are a number of different types of prolapse that can occur in a woman's pelvic area and these are divided into three categories according to the part of the vagina they affect: front wall, back wall or top of the vagina. It is not uncommon to have more than one type of prolapse.

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Life Insurance – There’s more to giving up smoking than just getting healthy

March the 11th sees the 25th anniversary of No Smoking Day, a day of national recognition and support for those who want to try and give up.

Over the past 25 years the campaign has grown from an awareness day organized by a group of individuals with an interest in health, to becoming a fully registered charity in 1991, and onward to employing a full-time staff and becoming one of the best-known days of its type. In light of the ongoing global economic difficulties and the ‘credit crunch’, this year the campaign is more geared towards how smokers can save money if they give up – alongside the well-known health benefits.

So how can giving up smoking at this time help you save money?

The first financial saving to consider, is what you might save on a day to day, week to week, or year to year basis, if you were to give up smoking now. According to myfinances.co.uk, the average packet of cigarettes costs £5.67 in the UK.

If we assume that the average smoker gets through a packet a day, a week of non-smoking will save you £39.69, a month of non-smoking will save you in the region of £177.75 – yet over an entire year you will be set to save a massive £2,069.55.

It is fair to acknowledge that not everyone who wants to give up smokes £5.67 worth of cigarettes everyday, but during these times of belt-tightening and cutting back, the prospect of saving over a thousand pounds after a year of non-smoking must sound tempting to anybody.

However, savings from giving up smoking don’t stop with the cost of cigarettes. As life insurance companies become more and more competitive whilst frugal customers threaten to cancel their policies, now is the best-time for non-smokers to benefit from slashed monthly premiums in comparison to their smoking peers. Savings of up to 50 percent on payments can be made for non-smokers, whilst comparison website moneysupermarket.com estimate a 30 year-old male smoker will spend over £8,000 more on life cover than a non-smoker of the same age.

The financial benefits of giving up around the 11th March go even further though. With the growth of No Smoking Day year on year, many businesses, including supermarkets and shops, have tried to get a piece of the action. Supermarket giant, Asda are discounting prices of nicotine patches and gum in an offer to help their visitors stop at this time. It certainly seems that, in terms of saving money from stopping smoking, March 2009 may well be the perfect month to give it a try.