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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I shouldn’t be able to cough out a tampon

63 replies

NoRightIsIt · 03/02/2019 20:24

I mean seriously it’s not right is it? To almost cough out a tampon?! Stinker of a cold and throat. Every time I cough there goes a bit more pee for last week. Now period on and heavy so doubled up with tampon and pad and coughing earlier and felt like tampon was shooting down ready to come out 😱 Two children later and I’m a leaky mess 😭

On seriously note...any tips?! I try pelvic floor exercise but am useless. I can’t see doctor they wouldn’t do anything. Any devices I can use to help? Or am I going to have to accept I’ll stink of pee whenever I have a cold now (I use pads and change so sure don’t actually stink but it’s not nice either).

Oh and my other AIBU is...are we neglected in this country health wise?! Post birth I’m sure the French get physio. I don’t remember being taught about pelvic floors either? I’ll make sure to educate my DDs as this is so embarrassing.

OP posts:

TroysMammy · 03/02/2019 20:55

I've never had children and I've coughed out a tampon. One even came out when I was pissed as a fart in a works do. Luckily I was on the toilet fell off it at the time.

Original poster

NoRightIsIt · 03/02/2019 20:56

Ok thanks I’ll gp see my go and take it from there. Invite in a toner also thanks for the recommendations. I hadn’t realised physio could do so much so that’s helpful to get insight also.

I think my reluctance in seeing gp is also to do with my weight as it very overweight so thought they might say it’s my own fault also.

OP posts:

TheOrigFV45 · 03/02/2019 20:57

My practice nurse referred me to whoever it was (continence, women's stuff) and I was taken very seriously, and my issue was/is nowhere near the level of yours, more that it was impacting my life (I'm a runner) in a way I didn't think it should.

There's far too much acceptance of poor pelvic control IMO.

Menarefrommarsitwouldseem · 03/02/2019 20:57

I can 'wee' them out.
I've always been conflicted of it means I have a strong or a weak one tbh.
Lately I can feel them most of the time too. Keep meaning to mention it to GP

DareDevil223 · 03/02/2019 21:02

I've never found tampons sit very easily but that's because I have a retroverted uterus which apparently can make them harder to use. It might also explain why I wee so much

AuntieStella · 03/02/2019 21:03

It's not normal, but it's relatively common after childbirth.

If it has not reversed itself after a few months where you really do pelvic floor exercises (as opposed to kidding yourself you are really doing a good number of fast and slow reps three or more times a day), then you need to see a specialist physio.

TheOrigFV45 · 03/02/2019 21:05

And in answer to your second question, I think it would be really good to be asked about your pelvic floor when you have a smear. My smear includes a mini well woman thing (weight, BP, exercise), and I think that's when I raised it.

hankib · 03/02/2019 21:07

I don’t have any DC yet but follow a fitness girl on insta called danalandgren who focuses on pelvic floor exercises for women post birth, i think she has a programme you can buy but also posts a lot of videos for free which you can copy? I do a few of them in my workout routine and they’re really good!

PragmaticWench · 03/02/2019 21:08

My physio recommended an app that reminds you several times a day to do pelvic floor exercises, and takes you through both fast and slow exercises. You really do need to find out how to do them properly though, to make sure you are being effective.

Dhalandchips · 03/02/2019 21:09

I once coughed out a mirena coil!

KatyN · 03/02/2019 21:10

In my area (Bristol) you don’t need a referral from the gp to see a gynae physio.
I saw one after my first and she was amazing. Weirdly most of my troubles where fixed by my second child.
I use it as a measure of how long my cold has been going in when I leak when I cough/sneeze.

Haworthia · 03/02/2019 21:11

No, it’s really not normal. Peeing yourself isn’t normal either.

Women’s health physios are great though. Get yourself a referral

PerfectPeony · 03/02/2019 21:18

Pelvic floor exercises are like any other exercise- it’s not supposed to be easy, especially at first. Like I would be rubbish at doing sit ups but if I wanted toned abs I’d have to push myself to do it!

I remember post birth, I was literally doing them on and off all day for months. You have to persevere- the good news is that the more you do it the easier it is.

Definitely worth a trip to the GP. They are usually very good with this kind of thing imo. I do agree midwifes should talk about this though as there is no aftercare.

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 03/02/2019 21:20

use one of these pelvic floor exercisers
I think they should be as widely used as an electric toothbrush.

Errrrrrr · 03/02/2019 21:26

Definitely worth seeing a physio. Also wjat brand of tampon are you using? I couldn't get on with tampax after having DC at all but a few friends recommended lilets and it's made a huge difference.

I have a mild prolapse and find I can keep on top of most of the symptoms by maintaining core strength rather than just doing pelvic floor stuff. Maybe a pilates or circuits class would help you?

LilQuim · 03/02/2019 21:27

This'll make you feel better. I was in hospital with pneumonia. The first day I managed to walk to the loo, on the way there I started coughing. I pissed & perioded down my legs. Luckily, didn't need a shit.

EgremontRusset · 03/02/2019 21:28

There’s a good app called Squeezy that reminds you to do them and times you. 3 x a day, every day. Not easy at first then the muscles get stronger over several months (and weaker again if you stop like I did - oops!)

onesteponepunchoneroundatatime · 03/02/2019 21:28

Good Morning. I am a pelvic floor Physio and I would absolutely encourage you to get a referral. There are lots of things we can help with

Leaking urine (urinary incontinence)
Leakage of bowel motions (feacal incontinence)
Prolapse- we cant fix it but we can help you with exercises and lifestyle to alleviate the symptoms
Painful sex (dyspareunia) causes by an overactive pelvic floor (vaginismis)
Weak pelvic floor
Ante/post natal MSK pain (but most

MSK Physios can help with this too)

Pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction in males- thought they should see a doc first as it could be related to the prostate.

It is NEVER normal to have the above symptoms but it is common, and we can help.

If you are still unsure check out Gusset Grippers (google).

worriedunimum · 03/02/2019 21:32

Squeeze app on Google play

RB68 · 03/02/2019 21:34

On a bad day (heavy) I cough out supers so its more to do with my perio d being heavier and I really should go and get things investigated but honestly last thing I feel like is being poked and prodded over very heavy periods

ForInstance · 03/02/2019 21:36

I sympathise a lot OP. However (not meant judgementally, just interested) I am surprised you weren’t educated about pelvic floors - how old are your DC? I recently became a FTM and if I counted up all the leaflets I’ve had about pelvic floor exercises I’d run out of hands! (This doesn’t mean I was particularly scrupulous about doing them, however!)

Hockneypool · 03/02/2019 21:38

I second checking out Gusset Gripers. Look for her on Twitter. I think her line is ‘saving the world one fanny at a time’.
She was on woman’s hour recently explaining simply how to do the exercises. See if this link works. twitter.com/bbcwomanshour/status/109021429

arethereanyleftatall · 03/02/2019 21:47

How many of us are doing pelvic floor exercises whilst reading this thread? I reckon 90 %.

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/02/2019 21:49

How on Earth?? Never heard of this! #freakedout

sulflower · 03/02/2019 21:51

How many of us are doing pelvic floor exercises whilst reading this thread? I reckon 90 %.

Yup, me for sure .

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