Please reassure me

[GythaOggsDaughterInLaw]

I've posted this in General Health this morning but even after a miserable bump, I've had no responses.

Last night, after a rough 24 hrs of the covid coughing, I managed to cough myself a vaginal injury. I'm burning with embarrassment even to write this. My vagina feels like I've been kicked and, upon examination, there's a pronounced bulge in the vaginal wall. It hurts. It hurts to sit, it hurts to walk.

I've been off with covid, was planning on returning to work tomorrow but it's a job that's mostly on my feet. I can't go in but don't actually want to tell them exactly why.

Has this happened to anyone? I'm assuming the coughing pressure has caused the beginnings of a prolapse. I'm only 44 ffs. I could cry. I hope someone answers.

Oh god you poor thing! Have you gone to the GP? It really isn't anything to be embarrassed about though just really awful for you, I'd take another day and get an examination by a nurse ASAP.

Stay off work tomorrow, tell them you still have covid symptoms. Then phone 111 tonight and see if you can get a GPOOH appointment. You need to see a HCP in person. It does sound like the start of a prolapse but please don't panic, it's not something life limiting, it can be fixed. The fact it is so painful means you must seek medical attention asap though.

I haven't. I did an AskMyGP consultation and my Gp advised the same but I can't go on until I'm negative. I feel utterly crap and, dareIsay, old and broken.

Slow typing so I missed this.
Thank you. I will.
I work in a school and the cover secretary is already calling me to to say my 5 days isolation is up and for me to go back on. If it wasn't for this, I would. I don't want to tell them - everyone will know.

Just say you are having to consult an HCP re complications.

They have no right to know full details of your health.

Ah poor you, coughing can cause all sorts of muscles to get themselves out of alignment. A friend of mine did serious damage to her upper abs, just coughing.

A prolapse can be fixed but please please be seen by a HCP soon.

Can you tell work you've a doctor's appointment for follow up, or something like that? No need for anyone to know details?

I'll have to tell them I think. God.

I'm guessing my running days are over

They shouldn't tell anyone you could take them to court if they do.

Tell them you have had an accident and have an abdominal injury - it's vaguely in the right area and they don't need to know the exact details. Or you could say it's covid-related and you have to see a medical professional on the advice of 111.

I would say that you have complications following Covid and you are unable to go back to work tomorrow. Then see a professional.

Where abouts is the bulge? And where abouts in the vagina is the pain?

Thanks @Coolcreature and @PollyAmour.

The bulge is on the right hand side of my vaginal wall and I feel it clearly. I can also feel a similar bulge or swelling if I press on the top of my inner thigh and press my fingers inwards towards my labia on the same side. It's painful to do so as well.

Going to phone in at 7 to let them know that I won't be in. Feel wretched. Feel broken. Feel old.

I know in the grand scheme of things that it isn't the end of the world, but I feel so low about it.

Tell them you’ve some sort of muscle injury from coughing and need to get it checked as it’s agonising. Could be your back, ribs, they won’t know.

Tell them you have a hernia from coughing and need to get it seen. Coughing really does put a strain on your body.

I would call and ask to speak with your GP or the Nurse. It's very possible that there already was a rectocele or cystocele there and the aggressive coughing has made that more pronounced- that doesn't mean it's permanent and properly done kegel exercises will help strengthen the pelvic floor. I would be more concerned that it's come on suddenly and you are experiencing pain, which warrants an examination. I can't say mine have ever been painful to press on or make contact with though they can be uncomfortable, with an odd sort of dragging down feeling. I would be wanting to rule out lymph node swellings or gland issues in the area. There are plenty there and off the back of a hefty covid infection it would be no surprise as a knock on effect.

What I would say as well OP is that I don't think it's anything to be embarrassed about. I have a connective tissue disorder which causes laxicity in muscles, nerves etc and am prone to organ prolapse as a result. I've had a mild to moderate prolapse in both my bladder and my bowel since I was not even 20 and it's never occured to me to feel ashamed of that or embarrassed to discuss it as a health issue. It is just a body part and if it is prolapsed there is plenty that can be done - women's health physio's are fab and more easily accessible now.

It could quite likely actually be a pulled muscle. When you cough a lot, or suffer from constipation, the straining can push your cervix lower too which could be a reason why you feel a bulge.

It does also sound like it could be a rectocele .

I've pulled my vagina muscle before. Can you try ibuprofen and a warm water bottle or bath?

Thank you for posting. It's reassuring, but it's also a gentle nudge for me to stop feeling so sorry for myself. Thank you

I've just returned from my GP.

She reckons it's a bartholin's cyst and quite a large one. Thankfully it's not ruptured and despite its size, not fully developed. I'm on 2 different antibiotics for the next 2 weeks but I should see a difference in days.

Thanks to everyone that posted. I'm very grateful