When Helen Ledwick typed “why do I feel like I’m prolapsing?” into Google ten years ago, she had no idea it would be the start of a life-changing journey.
The former journalist and BBC 5 Live podcaster was suffering from pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that affects around one in twelve women after childbirth, but which many have never even heard of.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs, such as the bladder, bowel or uterus, shift out of their normal position and protrude into the vagina.
This is not life-threatening but can have a profound impact on daily life, relationships and mental health. Helen experienced this shock just two weeks after a difficult labour during the birth of her second child.
“I got up off the sofa and his shoulders.”
At first she was advised not to do anything that would make things worse, such as running, jumping or lifting heavy things.
” The advice seemed to be: don’t live your life,” she says.
Perhaps even more debilitating than the physical symptoms was the isolation Helen felt.
“You live with it in embarrassment, silence, shame and loneliness, ” she explains.
” Because you don’t talk about it, it feels like you’re the only person in the world with this problem.”
At first, Helen dared to ask for support on Instagram.
Finding that there are many women who are just as worried and confused, some of whom would be embarrassed to ask for help, Helen decided to start a podcast and write a book called “Why Mums Don’t Jump”.
She also decided to create a platform for women who are just as worried and confused. not always obvious.
“Sometimes there is no physical change, just a feeling of pressure, it can be in the lower back, lower abdomen or higher up near the navel,” she explains. “Symptoms can also be more pronounced during sex, which again is extremely taboo.”
Organ loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including childbirth, lifting heavy objects, being overweight or having a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). In rare cases, this condition can also occur in men.
Pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes can improve the situation, but sometimes medical treatment such as vaginal pessaries (a device to support the organs) or surgery is required.
Gynaecologist Dr Christine Ekechi says women with organ prolapse may notice swelling or lumpiness in the vagina. This is due to the loosening that it was “a big moment because I really thought I would never do it again”.
Helen is now doing more than she ever thought she would, such as signing up for a 10-kilometre run.
“I feel good and have learnt to manage my symptoms. I still have prolapse but it doesn’t affect my life the way it used to.
” I feel like I’m winning the battle.”