Recovery after vaginal prolapse repair: stage by stage

A repair relies on stitches holding the tissues together while they heal into a stronger layer. Anything that pushes down on the pelvic floor, such as straining on the toilet, coughing hard or lifting heavy loads, works against that. The timings here come from a Plymouth hospitals leaflet on vaginal repair surgery and from NHS pages on prolapse; they are typical ranges.

Your own surgeon may set shorter or longer limits, particularly if a hysterectomy or ligament fixation was done at the same time.

The stitches are inside the vagina and dissolve by themselves, so there is no wound to dress. The Plymouth leaflet describes discharge or light bleeding for six to eight weeks as healing continues. Pad use is normal; tampons are usually avoided until your surgeon allows them.

Constipation is very common and usually temporary, and so is difficulty emptying the bladder at first. Drinking enough, eating fibre and using any stool softeners prescribed help protect the repair. If you cannot pass urine at all, seek urgent advice.

The Plymouth leaflet suggests four to six weeks before driving and before work, with physically demanding jobs needing longer. The legal test is whether you can control the car, including an emergency stop. GOV.UK says it is for the patient to be sure they are fit to drive, warns that ignoring medical advice may affect insurance, and says the DVLA must be told if you are still unable to drive three months after an operation.

Intercourse is described as safe around eight weeks, once healing is complete. Use lubricant if the tissues feel dry; ask your surgeon about vaginal oestrogen if you are past the menopause.

• Use a footstool when on the toilet and avoid pushing hard.

• Support your tummy when coughing or sneezing.

• Share carrying and laundry tasks for the first weeks.

Walking is encouraged from the start. The NHS suggests that people with prolapse avoid high-impact activities and heavy lifting, keep a healthy weight, increase fibre, avoid constipation and continue pelvic floor exercises, and those habits matter most after surgery because recurrence is a recognised risk.

The leaflet places strenuous sport at about twelve weeks. Return to running, weights or classes in stages, and stop if you feel dragging or a bulge.

Ask when your first review will be and who to call between visits. A specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can help you restart pelvic floor work correctly, and early referral is worth requesting. The Plymouth leaflet says about one in three women have prolapse return, so tell your team early if symptoms come back.

• Fever, offensive discharge or heavy bleeding: contact your GP, the ward or NHS 111.

• Being unable to pass urine, or severe pain.

• A swollen, hot calf, chest pain or breathlessness: call 999 if severe.

• A return of heaviness or a visible bulge.