TMI Warning: I think there's poo coming out of my vagina.

[Goodfood1]

Not sure what to do and sorry for the tmi.
Hoping for some MN wise advice. I've just been to the toilet and when I wiped front there was some soft stool there. Because it was not just a skid mark but say 10p size I didn't think I was wiping badly back to front.

I then showered to make sure I was properly clean and stuck a cotton bud up and it's coming out brownish... so could be just a discharge, I can't smell it as bad. Or could be poo.

Now I'm feeling an ache but not pain. And am not sure if it's my imagination and if I should just wait and see if happens again.

Anyone had any experience or advice?
Not sure I wanna run to A&E but am a but worried.

Aibu to worry ?

I would hope that we all know to wipe front to back but I, for instance (and maybe OP too) cannot. Spinal issues and pain etc - some have to carefully do it the other way around, sadly.

Fistulas are serous business. Definitely see GP asap or even A&E if you have any signs of infection (temperature, pain etc).

Assuming you haven't had any other symptoms, it's more likely to be a bit of old blood clot that has suddenly dislodged than anything sinister. I think if it was a fistula, you'd have been aware of it before just suddenly finding a lump of "poo".

But if you're worried, go to the doctors and they can have a poke around.

Poor you, that sounds distressing x

I agree maybe a fistula. Contact your GP on Monday x

Sounds like a discharge, probably nothing to worry about but worth getting checked out. x

Sometimes it can be difficult to do it properly due to ILLness limited mobility. I had a fractured pelvis turning was very painful. The joys of a chronic ILLness.

A fistula is when a tube forms so where its not naturall suppose to, usually following a deep abscess that ruptures too two different directions then heals.

The 'tube' is basically like when you have your ears pierced it creates a hole straight through that heals and can stay open perminantly.

If an abscess (like a spot) is between two close points the Vagina and Anus it can form a head and 'pop' through both the vagina wall and Anal wall and that then forms the 'tube' (like a piercing hole) when it heals.

Your actual Anus would remain where it is, the fistula is not a new Anus as its not an opening and closing sphincter just a hole/tube.

Yes I do understand as I have googled it myself. So apologies

I don't think it's hygienic to be wiping back to front when I wipe I wipe them separately. My arse then my vag but not both together.

This happens to me sometimes when I can't quite finish a poo. You need to raise your legs so your bum is lower than your vag. Helps clear out your bowels properly. A squatty potty is good or just put something under your feet.

The idea that you should wipe front to back to avoid UTIs is a theory for which there is no actual evidence it reduces the risk of infection in grown women. I think the complete derailing of the thread to tell the OP off for not 'wiping correctly', when it is clear there may well be something else going on here, demonstrates exactly how stigmatising and potentially damaging this advice can be.

It could be a rectovaginal fistula so I’d make a gp appointment asap , it’s not an emergency for a and e but obviously if things change - ie you develop a high temperature or other symptoms of infection then call 111 or go to an out if hours service .
I had a fistula after having my son 22 years ago .it was a difficult birth (he was a shoulder dystocia )
Id gone back to work as a nurse so I knew what it was .. however by the time my referal came through it had actually closed up

it could also be breakthrough bleeding if you are menopausal, this will be brown and discharge like

or possibly just a rogue bit of poo that escaped to the front !
Dont panic .. but definitely call your gp on Monday

This happened to my ex's mum after she'd had chemotherapy.

Sorry to hear this and fingers crossed all is ok.

Make an appt to see your GP.

It should be easily visible with an inspection or a referral to a gynae.

It happens with prolonged labour as the baby's head stops the blood flow to the vagina , which weakens the walls and in time they can develop small holes or tears into the bowel.

Eh? All you have to do is Google and there it is. What you have posted is useless and incorrect information. I have copied and pasted from Google because I am lazy "Wiping back to front is associated with a greater risk of developing urinary tract infection than wiping front to back". You don't even have to be a doctor or a nurse to figure that out.

I’m glad you said this.
Recurring lower spine problems, ageing and arthritis make it very difficult

Google also brings up this article https://www.today.com/health/wipe-front-to-back-rcna71961

So perhaps it's not as obvious and unequivocal as you thought

Ive had very dark blood thats almost powdery and bitty. Possibly that? But def get it checked by doctor.

I reckon don't panic, that if you had faeces the size of a ten pence peice entering and exiting your vagina due to a fistula you'd probably be noticing something off down there in terms of BV/Thrush/smell, and that this is most likely a wiping side effect and some brown discharge due to your recent period/HRT and ring the GP to book for an internal on Monday.

Watch and wait and see what happens on your next few trips to the loo in the meantime.

Have you had a smear test lately? If not, make an appointment for one, just in case!
I'm sure it's just old blood from your period, but best to be on the safe side and you can ask the person who does the smear test. At least they'd be able to have a quick look to see if everything seems normal there!

It sounds like an RVF (Rectal Vaginal Fistula) I have one, I have had countless investigations to establish this. I discovered it by noticing poo on the top of the tampon when I was having periods (also in 50s) I have had a fistulotomy to repair and this made it worse, I am now under consideration to have part of the bowel removed. Every case of fistula is different so its worth getting it checked out as soon as possible. Its a horrible horrible condition to have. Please don't take no for an answer and insist on getting yourself examined. They do an MRI where they put dye in through your veins to highlight any fistulas.
You could always try putting a tampon in for a couple of hours and see how it looks.
All the best my lovely.

Also invest in a peri bottle for when cleaning after a poo its cleaner than paper or wipes x

Not true, there can be faecal matter per vagina when there is a fistula.

Not anus, it would be a vagino-rectal fistula. https://www.yourpelvicfloor.org/conditions/rectovaginal-fistula/

Thanks guys for all the ideas and thoughts. No issues since so may have been a bad wipe. I did my bottom first then used a clean piece for the front.

I may try the tampon idea as that should really show if I did have this problem or not.

But thanks again for all your lovely help