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General health

Bit embarrassing question re nether regions post-birth

6 replies

SusieSweet · 02/08/2005 13:52

This is probably a bit TMI and I'm pretty embarrassed to ask this but here goes. My periods have recently returned 17 months after the birth of my son who was born by elective section. The song 'like a virgin' springs to mind as an adequate description of how I feel 'down below' when trying to use tampons! It's amazingly sore, and this is where I'm getting graphic, but the entrance to my vagina almost feels raw - once I get past that point it's okay. Felt like this when I had my smear but the nurse didn't remark on seeing anything unusual. Have things just tightened up, so to speak, and will it get better with time? I seem to remember something similar when my eldest child was born but don't remember it being as sore as this. Anyone else have similar experience? TIA

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vkone · 02/08/2005 14:11

Are you sure you're not getting some period thrush? This can make things v sore. I usually get this round my period and have to be careful for a few days after

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PrettyCandles · 02/08/2005 14:21

Thrush sounds a possibility. Also, your hormones have probably not yet settled down and that can have an effect. I've never got on with tampons myself, but I wonder whether you ought to try a different brand or type. I know that I cannot use the pads that I used to use pre-babies (actually, I use a Mooncup now, but that's a whole different thread).

Is sex OK? If so, then I imagine that it's the tampon that causes the problem. If not, then I would go to the doctor. In the meantime, try washing your bits with Lactacyd, it doesn't smell nice, but it's very soothing.

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SusieSweet · 02/08/2005 20:11

Maybe thrush but no thrush-symptoms IYKWIM so maybe not. Prettycandles - what's Lactacyd - I haven't heard of it before. Everything feels tight when we have sex but, being honest, we haven't had much in the line of nookey of late mainly due to me b'feeding and being permanently exhausted. I'm wondering whether it's all related. And yes, maybe a different brand of tampon is worth trying ... I hadn't heard of Mooncups until a few days ago - doubt I could even consider that given it took a full 5 mins to insert a super plus tampon last night . Thanks.

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PrettyCandles · 03/08/2005 13:57

I think you ought to see the doctor. I know the nurse said that nothing was wrong, but she may not have been looking for the right thing. My stitches did not heal properly after my first birthing, and things were not good at all for me either. I had no idea what the cause of the trouble was, though, as I had been told it should be fine. It was all resolved in the end, which is why I think you ought to get it looked at, just in case there is something wrong in the way you have healed.

Lactacyd is a range of 'feminine hygiene' products. I get it from Boots, it will probably be with the pg tests, ovulation tests, KY etc. If the issue is dryness because of bfing etc, there are also lubes (in the same area at Boots) that aren't necessarily aimed at sex, but at women who are dry and uncomfortable at other times. I think there is a brand called Replens - IIRC it was mentioned to me when I had my problem.

As for the Mooncup, frankly I find it far smoother to insert than a tampon!

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Janbo25 · 03/08/2005 13:59

i've been having similar feelings too

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SusieSweet · 03/08/2005 21:11

Thanks for the info PrettyCandles. Will have a look in Boots next time I'm there. Won't go to Dr for now though (too embarrassed) but will try diff brand of tampons first.

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