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 ?

Unfortunately this is not the case. A fistula can open into the skin, yes, but can also open into vagina, bladder or uterus. It is simply an abnormal connection between 2 surfaces.
If you had surgery for an infection and have had vaginal births you may have a fistula, or it may be old blood, or a wonky wipe. I think it would be reasonable to visit your GP if it happens again even a small amount.

Ring out of hours, it’s not worth risking an infection.

My colleague mid fifties was fast tracked because of this all was okay but please see GP

Thanks for the explanation. I hope you get it sorted OP

I used to be a nurse, and once looked after a patient with a colostomy who had faeces coming out of the vagina. It was caused by a fistula and was successfully treated with surgery.

The article also says:

And Winter cautions that if you're wiping back to front, it does matter where you start to wipe. “Certainly ... don’t wipe all the way from your anus forward to your urethra, but again, the average adult is not doing that," says Winter, adding that most people know not to wipe feces onto themselves.
“I’m referring to wiping back to front, (starting) from somewhere slightly behind (the) urethra, over the vaginal area, and forward," says Winter.

GP appointment on Monday. Unless you get severe pain, fevers or feel unwell- in which case call 111. It sounds like a fistula. At 50 I believe that you know the difference between poo and old blood so I would ignore the posters saying it’s blood or discharge

For goodness sakes woman go to the bloody GP!

You should Never wipe from the back to the front. It could cause all sorts of infection.
Obviously if you use a bidet it’s not so bad.

This

Have you left a tampon in?

I was referred to a specialist as suspected I had a fistula from child birth- they are quite hard to diagnose and what eventually happens is they will put a dye up your bum and see if it leaks through & then operate for close it- normally at the same time.

i opted not to have this done in the end as I wasn’t completely sure I did have a fistula - more that post childbirth born holes are much closer together thanks to an episiotomy (sorry, tmi) - but deffo get it investigated!

Wrong.

google rectovaginal fistula.

I've had this since I gave birth. I'm now in my 50s. I don't get it every time, but I had a lot of tearing when I gave birth and I assume there's a hole in the wall between front and back due to birth damage. I haven't had it checked out. It only happens sometimes

That must be what I've got

in my experience recto vaginal fistulas are treated as medical emergencies.

I accidently left a tampon in and inserted another. After a few days there was an awful smell and brown discharge, however i physically couldn't see or feel anything. I went do the doctors imagining all sorts wrong. The doctor had to get long tong things it was really stuck in a crevis up high it was mortifying 🙈 TSS is a massive risk could you go to a walk in center and get checked out?

Do you have endometriosis by any chance

How long have you been post menopausal?

It is not normal to bleed or spot 12 months or more after your last period. I’ve met far too many women who weren’t aware of this!

https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/periods-overview/bleeding-after-menopause

The OP says it's poo.

It's best to believe her and not keep saying it's blood.

I have this same problem from time to time, usually for a week or so after a period (I'm on HRT with monthly chemical bleed). Sometimes it comes out in the form of a small clot.
I'm mindful of this when it happens but would only follow it up with GP if I was in discomfort or pain, or it became a daily occurrence.

rectum not urethra, sorry!

This

Yes it can. If a fistula has developed.

@Goodfood1 hopefully you can see a GP today