Painful sex after Caesarian

[SpanielFace]

DS is 20 weeks now, and was born by CS as he was breech (not picked up until I was in labour). I had a quick recovery & no complications.

We've tried to have sex every few weeks since DS was about 8 weeks, and every time have had to stop because I find it so painful. I have a strong burning sensation and it's so painful that I can't bear penetration.

I'm breastfeeding, although no longer exclusively, so I expected some dryness, but we're using loads of lube so don't think it's that. I wasn't expecting this after a CS, in fact compared to some of the horror stories I've heard from friends who'd had vaginal deliveries, I'd secretly felt relieved that although I hadn't had the natural birth I wanted, at least I wasn't dealing with tears etc.

Is this normal or should I go to GP? I'm starting to dread sex because I'm worried about it hurting, which can't exactly be helping. DH is very gentle and understanding, and there is no pressure, but I feel bad for him, and I really miss sex.

[Cantbelieveitsnotbutter]

Go to your gp.
I had a cs and this wasn't the case for me I'm afraid. You can very easily get trained to the pain so pay them a visit before that adds to it.
Good luck xxx

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Definitely go to your GP and get their advice.

[BalloonSlayer]

I have had 3 caesareans and had this pain afterwards every time. I remember the GP gave me a smear test at my 6 week check and I nearly went through the ceiling. He said "maybe it is a bit of after pain from childbirth," and when I reminded him that I'd had a c-section he just looked puzzled.

It felt as if my skin < channels Miranda's Mum > down there had got incredibly thin. When I read about post-menopausal women getting the skin in the vagina becoming thinner and dryer I wonder if it is the same thing so presume in my case it was just hormonal.

However in my case it stopped at about 8-10 weeks I'd guess. So although I think it's normal, maybe the GP could recommend something as 20 weeks is a long time to have to put up with it especially as you are raring to go otherwise!

Perhaps you could mention that some random off the internet has suggested the idea of a hormonal cause and ask whether there is anything that helps menopausal women with painful intercourse that could be useful for you?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

You need to see the GP about this problem asap. Would think that you will be referred on to a gynae as this problem is outside a GPs general remit.

[Fairylea]

It's actually more common than you think. Try googling it. It's to do with all the hormones. I had it, it does pass but I felt really sore and tight for a while afterwards which I didn't expect at all! (Also had a difficult vaginal birth 9 years before and sort of felt like sex after that!) .

See your GP just to check nothing else is going on.

[AlexisCarringtonColby]

It took me a long time after a cs to feel comfortable enough for sex. It turned out that most of the problem was thrush, which I had very badly but with no other symptons, so I didn't realise until I went to have the Mirena put in and the doctor basically winced . It's definitely worth checking out just to make sure everything is ok.

I also found (and sorry if this is a bit tmi) that I found sex painful because it felt that everything was slightly in a different position downstairs, especially my bladder. I have no idea whether this is true or not, but even a year later it can get occasionally uncomfortable.

[SpanielFace]

Thanks, I'll make appointment & get checked, although my GP is crap with anything sexual health related - I'm sure he'll just refer me.

[CeilingThomas]

I had an emergency c-section and had a quick recovery but I too found sex painful. It felt like a tight band of pain near the top if that makes sense?! I breastfed for 8 months. My DS is now 10months and sex is fine. I can't remember when it stopped hurting, it was several months til we even tried so perhaps 5-7 months?

For me I think the reason was two fold 1) my DS was bouncing on my pelvic floor for 30hrs before i had him, this causes bruising (this can take a long time to go) and 2) i was tense about it hurting, even though I was totally into having sex. We used loads of lube too to address dryness. It's a vicious circle because the next time you try you expect it to hurt and you can tense up.

This might be a tmi alert but what we found worked was for him to enter me then stop whilst I tried to relax more and 'get used' to him being inside me. This worked. as did lots and lots of foreplay :)

Definitely go see you gp, but try to relax, truly relax. Good luck.

[MatureUniStudent]

My last DC was turned in my tummy, he was foot first. The bruising from that was unbelieveable. I felt it in all of my nether regions for months - I wonder if it is bruising from the CS? My whole region was hyper sensitive and full of pain for many months. It still suprises me how long it took to recover as you expect with a CS to back on your feet in 6 weeks max - but things take longer. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be ping and wonderful as quickly as possible.