Sex hurts after caesaerean?

[MollyMcG]

DD is nearly 9 months, Sex is still quite uncomfortable for me. We’ve not been doing it much as I don’t find it especially pleasant.

Feels like I’m much tighter on the inside, just inside the entrance. Didn’t have any stitches as I had a caesarean. We’re using mahoosive amounts of lube. It does seem to loosen up a bit after DP is at it for a bit (we start slow with me in control) but i haven’t been able to finish with DP as its still uncomfortable and I just want it over with. (Never has a problem before!)

Is this familiar? My libido is returning but I dread the physical discomfort. DP is brilliant and patient but I know he misses more frequent sex as I do too. X

I had this after an ELCS. It’s really normal, shouldn’t be a prolapse (though always a good idea to see a women’s health physio after pregnancy). I kept trying to have sex and eventually it all went back to normal. Lots of similar stories online if you google.

Hey op, I had a vaginal delivery so obviously down there took more of a beating however I found sex really really painful, I looked online and found a line brand called YES. WB, honestly it’s like a miracle worker! I tried tons of other lives and this is the only one that’s ever made sex enjoyable. Are you breastfeeding? That also causes dryness down there which makes it painful too! Check out that brand, they sell it in Holland and Barrett. They also do a vaginal moisturiser but I’ve never tried that! I think that’s more for peri/menopause etc.

Lube not line or lives!

Platypusmama, that’s the lube we’ve been using. Really almost half a tube each time 😂

Littlemissengoneer, don’t reckon it’s a prolapse as nothing’s down low when I’ve had a feel about but anxiety and nerves might well contribute, as it’s been so unpleasant all this time.

Needallthesleep, I hope my discomfort goes away eventually too. Really missing that closeness with DP.

I am breastfeeding, did you find the discomfort went away when you stope?

Same story here, only am 5 months post birth. V painful, tho my pain is further up. Is not anxiety (at least I don't think so). Also I went for my smear a few weeks ago which was absolutely excruciating (don't usually have an issue). Nurse said it looked all red inside towards my cervix (sort of inflamed, not bleeding) so I went to gp and whilst no absolute diagnosis, they agreed could be hormonal due to breastfeeding as pp suggested above. Was prescribed some pessaries to address pH in case it helped, but using them gave a uncomfortable burning type sensation (they are acidic so it figures) so haven't used them again.

If is hormonal it should all go back to normal after stopping bf but not much help in the meantime... From what I understand it's the low oestrogen that's the problem, (similar to what would happen in menopause), causing dryness and thinning of vaginal wall. (Great!) Apparently you can get topical oestrogen creams prescribed but not sure how safe they are plus if course could affect lactation if gets in your bloodstream, so I don't think I want to go down that route. Only advice I have seen is drink lots of water and use lots of lube, hasn't really helped so far. I will check out the brand mentioned above tho, thanks. May still be worth you going to the gp to get it checked to make sure nothing else could be the problem tho?

Oh I've been experiencing exactly this too! I had an ELCS 6 months ago, but tbh I was attributing it to the breastfeeding (& accompanying hormonal changes) rather than the surgery...

I had this after a planned c and then it just went after about 11 months. I wondered if I was from them moving everything around and stitching me back up..

@5tarlight You'd made me worried about my smear test next week now

I would honestly just book a doctor's appt. It's a common complaint after having a baby, even if you have a csec, but that doesn't mean you need to suffer in silence. Nobody on here can tell you for certain what's causing it. There is always the chance it's something fixable, and even if it is just a case of giving it time, you'll feel so much better to have a medical professional confirm that everything is ok.

Yes, two sections here and same both times, better at around a year post-partum. Breastfeeding definitely affects libido and lubrication. I had to have internal and external physio this time as so tight, some adhesions from the surgery caused some of it, so massaging the scar to get rid of those helped. I can't remember the source but I read last time that your vagina tightens up after having a baby, fine if it was a natural birth but not great if nothing went down there in the first place. I haven't slept for a couple of years though so might be unreliable

@Omega369 I told the nurse and they used a smaller speculum for me. (It was the speculum rather than the swab that hurt) When I went to the gp I took paracetamol beforehand and the examination wasn't as bad. It's over very quickly you'll be ok!

I've had 3 sections and this isn't normal, you need to see your GP and find out whats going on inside

I had this and it gradually got better after about a year. Nearly 5 years on and things are much better but they've never quite got back to normal. I only breastfed for 6 months so it wasn't that. It was excruciating (and worse because unexpected). I also had it after a D&C for a miscarriage so I think it's something to do with the surgery and healing.

Thanks all for the experiences, have been dreading an exam but perhaps should have someone look about Hopefully will improve with time. Actually feel sorry for DH as I think he’s starting to feel I don’t fancy him, despite my reassurance.