Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

What causes prolapse of the uterus?

The uterus prolapses or descends into the vagina when the pelvic muscles and supporting ligaments are weakened or injured.

Factors that can lead to prolapse of the uterus include...

* difficult or prolonged labor

* bearing several children

* obesity

* uterine cancer

* diabetes

* asthma or chronic bronchitis

* heavy lifting or straining

* a uterus that is tipped back (retroverted)

* under the age of fifty-five (2/3 of women who prolapse do so before this age)

What happens when the uterus prolapses?

In mild cases, a portion of the uterus descends into the top of the vagina. In more serious cases, the uterus can protrude through the vaginal. When this happens, a cystocele (bulging of the bladder into the front wall of the vagina), or rectocele (bulging of the rectum into the back wall of the vagina) can occur.

What are the symptoms of a prolapse uterus?

Symptoms of prolapse include...

* backache

* abdominal discomfort

* involuntary passage of urine when straining, sneezing or putting pressure on the abdomen (urinary incontinence)

* painful intercourse

* a feeling of heaviness

* excessive menstrual bleedings

* abnormal vaginal discharge

* constipation

Although these are common symptoms, you can have a prolapsed uterus and not exhibit any symptoms.

What self-care actions can you take for prolapsed uterus?

Some actions that may help are...

* Eat a diet of 75 percent raw fruits and vegetables plus whole grains such as millet and brown rice.

* Take calcium citrate (1,500 mg daily) and magnesium citrate (1,000 mg daily); these essential minerals help increase muscle tone.

* Take L-carnitine and L-glycine (too mg of each twice a day of these protein building blocks called amino acids) on an empty stomach with water or juice, not milk; follow directions on the label (health food store item)

* Avoid wearing tight pants, belts or girdles.

* Avoid straining during urination or bowel movements.

* Drink 8-10 glasses of water that has been distilled (grocery store) or put through a reverse osmosis filter (purchase at a health food or department store).

* Daily complete 100 Kegel exercises by either stopping and starting urination as many times as possible, or tightening and squeezing the vaginal and rectal muscles inward and hold for five to ten seconds, then relax.

* For involuntary urine flow: drink unsweetened cranberry juice or take cranberry capsules and 3,000-5,000 mg daily of vitamin C in divided doses to fight bladder infection and enhance immune function

* For constipation: every morning when arising, place a teaspoon full of psyllium husks (health food store item) in a glass of water, stir quickly and drink it right down before it gels.

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care practitioner.