Hi, all. I'm so glad to join this group. I'm almost 59, and I've been riding twice a week for decades. Just enough to keep me out of trouble. I ride dressage. I'll try to make this brief. After my first baby, I had a lot of pelvic discomfort due to overstretching, etc., and had a uterine suspension to "hoist" things up. That helped a lot, but heavy lifting, running, backpacking, tennis, etc., were all a thing of the past. I could still ride, though, and haven't had problems over the years. I'm not prolapsed.

For the last 2 years, I've been riding a dressage horse (I'm at training level) that has much more movement than other horse I've ridden, and I've also improved my seat and my riding. I don't do much sitting trot at all. But, I've had several episodes in the past year of being in a lot of pain after riding (after more than usual amount of canter or sitting trot), and taking several months to get over it. Went to a physical therapist, and that was helpful. I've been doing pelvic floor exercises, kegels, etc., but it's happened again. I'm not riding this month, and have a gyn appt in a few weeks. I don't want to stop riding, but when it's bad, it hurts to stand for long or go for a walk. it takes weeks of no riding for the pain and discomfort to go away.

I'd love to hear from anyone with who's had this sort of problem and hear your solutions. THANKS!!!

 

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Hi - Sounds like you need a top to bottom physical - urologist, ob-gyn - you shouldn't have that much pain.  I have some back and sciatic pain but keep it under control.  I would definitely see a specialist if I was having the problem you are.  The extra movement you are describing in your horse will definitely contribute to your problems.  Although you love dressage - you might have a look at a kinder, smoother riding horse.  I switched to "gaited" when my back could no longer take the pounding.  However, that being said, I have never been in the show mode either - and I imagine that you get a lot of enjoyment out of your climb up the levels of dressage.  However, to keep riding (and don't we all want to?) take care of your body first.
Thanks, Margaret. Yes, I'm scheduled to see a specialist. I've tried more padding, egg-shell posting, no sitting trot, etc. I would be happy to trail ride, but at this point, even that seems like it will be a problem. Has anyone else had this problem? What helped?

So sorry you are hurting Jen.

When the padding in the seat of my 40+ year old Stubben Siegfried finally wore out I started getting DEEP bone pain in my seat bones that lasted for days after, even though I ride Forward Seat.  After a few weeks, reluctant to give up my first good saddle, I went and got a seat saver.  I have not had that pain since.

I agree you need to checked out medically.  But try a seat saver also.  Our old bones seem to bruise more easily.

Hi

Sorry to hear about the pelvic pain.  I have lots of bone pain but it´s not really like your problem so can´t offer you any specific advice.  I just wanted to say I think your great to keep on trying to ride and that I do hope you find some sort of help for the pelvic pain soon.  I´m barely riding at all either at present but at least we have our horses to love and care for which helps too - just not quite the same without riding them is it but it´s a lot.

Anyway, good luck

Carol

I'm a bit late joining in this discussion!  I don't have pelvic pain, but I had a cervical prolapse about 18 months ago, which being me I didn't get looked at.  Why, I do not know as I did all my post-natal exercises, and have ridden regularly and walked, swum and cycled.  However, it all flopped.  I still rode, although it was slightly 'uncomfortable' but a chance comment by a neighbour made me realise that I really ought to get checked out.

I now have a 'ring', not wishing to go down the surgery route; it's marvellous.  I didn't realise just how much I was easing up on being actively active if that doesn't sound odd.  I was still walking the dogs, riding, swimming and cycling but now I have a lot more zest.  Only wish I'd gone to the doctors earlier.

Only drawback is that I frequently wet myself when sneezing, coughing etc whereas before it was only at a violent movement - like my horse stumbling at speed or spooking sharply.  

Doctors said there was 'no point' in doing any exercises... anybody got any thoughts?

 

Hi, Jenny. I've learned a LOT since I last posted, between reading information online, going to a pelvic pain Ob/GYN specialist, and going to a physical therapist. Also, I've been piecing together things. It's very complicated, but for me problems date back to childbirths. After menopause, with fewer hormones, the pelvic muscles are even more compromised and I think that is what started this down turn. That along with a very sedentary job and a family history of loose ligaments. (My ligaments aren't holding things in place.) I now get muscle aches from just lifting anything heavy. Haven't ridden in months!

There is a great deal of point to doing exercises for this and to make sure it doesn't get worse. Urinary incontinence is reversible, and without attention, it will just get to be more of a problem. The worst thing to do is not focus on strengthening your pelvic area. It's very hard, though, because you don't get immediate or recognizable results. You just have to do them. Go online and search for pelvic floor exercises. Many exercises strengthen the core. Others are kegel exercises, which all women should do.

I don't know exactly how cervical prolapse affects incontinence, but never believe there is "no point" unless you've gotten a lot of professional advice (more than just one doctor). I feel that women's health professionals have really let us down with the lack of education and attention given regarding pelvic floor health. Anyone who loves to ride needs to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.

Good luck, and keep in touch. I'm doing lots of yoga, pilates, spinning, and hiking. I really miss riding, and would like to get back to it.

Hi all

A while back I watched a feature on a news program here in the UK about a number of devices that were being tested by ladies to help with pelvic floor problems.  Basically they were various medical shapes that once inserted encouraged the muscles to grip in order to prevent the shape slipping out and so stregthening them.  I will try and find out more but I do remember that all ladies trying the products felt that they had gained some improvement in quite a short space of time.  Anything is worth a shot if it means it gets you riding again!

 

Thanks Carol. I'll look into that here in the US, too, and ask my doctor. Send me a link if you find one. I'm ready to try something new. 

http://www.pelvictoner.co.uk/ 

Hi

The one above is the first I have found but I bet if you type it in you will find a lot more (there are much smaller ones that you wear for a couple of hours and the lady trying it said she hardly felt it was there).

Good luck.

Carol

I'll check that out, the doctor at the hospital said there was 'no point' in me doing any exercises!  I never see any reason for NOT doing exercise!  LOL

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