Scar tissue down below!! AIBU??

Finally went to see a GP years after episiotomy… was fed up of the site of the cut being uncomfortable duringsex. She said it’s a skin tag due to the stitching and healing etc. she wasn’t alarmed and identified it in a second. She’s contacting the Gynaecology dept who I can then discuss the removal with. If it’s under local anaesthetic then I’ll do it!

TMI but the therapist basically taught me how to gently stretch it over and over with massage. It was very painful at first. The tissue didn't reduce but it is more malleable. Thank god.

Sorry to be curious, but how does physio help? Would it reduce the scar tissue?

I had awful trouble after stitches. My scar tissue can still be painful during sex but only rarely now and in certain positions (DS is 9). At first it was UNBEARABLE) and I kept protesting until they referred me for physio which did help.

Hello! How did this resolve for you? Was your scar tissue almost dangly, blobby flesh at the site of the tear / episiotomy? Desperately seeking solidarity x

Hello. Not sure if anyone still active on this… read your post and wanted to ask what was your scar tissue like? I think I have too much scar tissue and it’s like a blobby little line where episiotomy was! Does this sound similar?

Sorry OP, it's pure shit. I saw a consultant about this last year (six month wait, and I had to spend hours on the phone chasing after my referral was sent to the wrong place) and in my five minute appointment was told bluntly that there was an enormous waiting list of women with 'non-functional' genitalia and that my problems weren't sufficiently severe to merit further NHS treatment. Discharged.

It might be different where you are (I hope so). Postpartum care is a shambles.

This times a thousand..as if men would be left like this.

Oh and my prolpase has recurred 🤣

I only went ahead with it each time because I couldn't sit down properly and sex was awful.

I need further prolpase ops, but frankly I'd rather be incontinent for the rest of my life.

And my private gynae is a lovely lovely person. But this was a 12month nightmare.

But also WHO LOOKS?! 😱

This is the reality of why they refused to do any revision to mine. I’m so sorry for the issues you’ve had.

Your husband won’t sleep with you anymore??

why?

is it just a lump? Just unsightly? Or does it make sex difficult?

Hi OP.
I have had three perineal refashioning operations in the past year and I would never ever ever do that again unless it is painful.

Not sure who sees it anyway? If it isn't causing you any pain or discomfort sitting or during intercourse, leave well alone.

I had prolapse repair that caused scar tissue. Scar tirsue was removed in first PR op. Scar tissue reformed. Removed again. Reformed again, tighter.
Final op removed 2cm square of scar tissue.

Bladder now unsupported.

For info, the opening is called the 'entroitus'.

@GOATYOAT and @misssunshine4040 I don't want to derail OP thread, was just expressing solidarity! But yes in my personal case DH has said he does not want a sex life anymore, he denies it is due to my post birth changes but the timing exactly coincides, so.....

That last paragraph just made me wince

Why will your husband not sleep with you anymore?

Sorry? Your husband won’t have sex with you? wtf? Why?

I am currently looking into a private perineoplasty after an episiotomy followed by a 2nd degree tear has left me with long term discomfort. It’s shit what we’re expected to just put up with.

I’d also say it hurt to have sex. Say what you need to say to get decent care.

A sad part of me thinks I bet a doctor listens to you if you’re essentially saying the scar poses an inconvenience to a man 🙄

PS, OP if you do see a physio privately they are way cheaper than surgeons, IME under £100 if cost is a factor.

I had to have my episiotomy redone when my first baby was a few months old - consultant did my 6 week check (difficult birth) and actually winced when he looked at the stitches. It was more comfortable after, for sure.

I did not much appreciate the local anaesthetic injections though 😬

Hi OP, me too although further back than you/ closer to bum.

I hate it and my husband will not sleep with me anymore.

I think mine is flatter than yours from what you say, but I have also been advised not to have surgery as could get worse.

Stuff that might help-

Use an oil based moisturiser there. There is one calles Yes! That I think is olive oil based and you can get off Amazon.

See a women's health physio privately if you can afford it. Of coursw they are nor surgeons but they see a lot of this stuff and may be able to advise. Plus they do not have a financial motive to advise surgery so you can have a balanced discussion.

Do other things to make you feel good about your body. Since having my twins, who are 8 now, I have invested so much time in physical fitness. Feeling strong and toned of course does not fix ugly scars, but it makes me feel overall better and takes focus away from the things I am disappointed in, if that nakes sense.

Honestly this is awful, I feel for the previous posters. It’s so unfair that women get told to just get on with it. Had a surgeon tell me to be grateful for my healthy children and there was nothing to be done about my herniation. Came out of the appointment crying my eyes out. I searched for another surgeon and one kind lady consultant agreed to repair it. Keep pushing and tell the doctor how it’s affecting your life and your relationship. Keep pressing and don’t give up 💐

There’s no point. I had 2 private consults who agreed with the NHS that it was too risky, and now I’m in perimenopause the best they can offer is oestrogen cream and smears under general anaesthetic (won’t stop the damage but would
make it easier for them if I wasn’t tense).

I definitely think you should go and speak to your GP about it. I'll probably be flamed for saying this, but I'd lie and say that it hurts and makes sex difficult. It shouldn't have to be this way, but I don't think you'll get far if it's just the appearance that bothers you. It would bother me too fwiw.