Your vagina may be smaller after surgery. It ma not be shorter, though. It is not likely to be so sma that you will not be able to have sex. Surgery may relieve some, but not all, of th symptoms caused by pelvic support problems. In a few cases, symptoms may return. The doctor has to use the already weakened fascias, ligaments, and muscles that are within your pelvis to improve your pelvic support. In some cases, synthetic materials that the body accepts well may be used to help correct the problems. If you have had prior surgery or radiation, there is a much lower success rate. The factors that caused you to have prolapse in the first place can cause it to occur again. After sur-gery, you should control your weight, avoid constipation, not smoke, and avoid activities, such as heavy lifting, that put pressure on these muscles.

Special Devices
Sometimes surgery is too risky because of a woman's general health. In such cases, a pessary may be inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs. When a pessary is used, it must be removed, cleaned, and reinserted on a regular basis. If it is not cleaned, it might cause a bad-smelling discharge and ulcers in the vagina. If used correctly, a pessary can last for years. There are many types of pessaries. Your doctor can fit you with the right one for you. Like finding a comfortable shoe, it may take a few trials to get a good fit.

Finally...

Many women suffer from pelvic support problems. If you have any symptoms, talk to your doctor about them. The right diagnosis and treatment can offer relief from pelvic support problems.

Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises tone your pelvic muscles. They strengthen the muscles that surround the openings of the urethra, vagina, and rectum. Just like doing sit-ups to flatten your abdomen, these exercises work only if the right muscles are used, the "squeeze" is held long enough, and enough repetitions are done. Thos is how they are done:

• Squeeze the muscles that you use to stop the flow of urine
• Hold for up to 10 seconds, then release.
• Do this 10-20 times in a row at least 3 times a day.
• After doing these exercises on a regular basis for at least 6 weeks, you should be able to better hold your urine.