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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Very embarrassing and TMI but please help :(

13 replies

first1 · 30/04/2011 13:51

I've posted numerous threads over the past 11 months following a God awful birth (3a tear, manual placenta removal, PPH, rectocele). I had a full restitch and rectocele repair in August last year.

Now for the most recent background history...2 weeks ago I went for a full sexual health screen as I am in the early stages of a new relationship for which I'm glad to say results all clear! :) My partner also got all clear too. And nine days ago I had a smear test, my first one ever, havent heard anything yet. Both speculums hurt when they were inserted.

I am a single mum aged 23 btw. In January I attempted sex for the first time since the birth and repair op with another partner and could only ever manage half way in so to speak as it just hurt so much. Fast forward a few months and I met the guy I'm seeing now. We have done "other things" and it wasnt uncomfortable, actually pleasurable. Last night we dtd. I was silently cheering in my head that at 11months post natal and 8 months postop, I'd finally managed full penetration AND he actually finished :) It was slightly sore on entry but otherwise fine. BUT afterwards, just ten minutes or so, O.M.G. I was in so much pain. I even had a little bit of bloody urine. My fanny was aching/stinging/on fire even round to my bum. Several hours later and following paracetamol and nurofen the pain subsided but still now, some 17hours later it's sore down there. I've had a look and the vulva looks quite red but much better than last night.

FYI, I've been told my repair op has healed beautifully.

So...long story short, excuse all the waffle, what is causing the pain :( I really like him and he was so lovely about it but I'm scared of doing it again if this is what it leads to.

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bebemooneedsabreak · 30/04/2011 13:57

I found that I was still sore during/aftersex for about 8/9m after birth (and that's not having all those horrible things happen to me... gp said sometimes the under layers of muscle/tissue are still really healing -could be similar things going on with you... tho I cannot say I every felt 'on fire' enough to have to take more than 1 paracetamol...

Selks · 30/04/2011 13:57

Oh hun, I feel for you.

You need to see your doctor though. It doesn't sound like things have healed up quite right, and perhaps sex resulted in a small tear or something. Probably it's nothing that can't be sorted, but clearly you need to get some medical attention for this. You need to have things sorted properly for you so that you can enjoy your new relationship and the sexual side of it without further difficulties. Speak to your Doc.

Original poster

first1 · 30/04/2011 17:04

Thanks for replies. Ok this is my own diagnosis via the wonderful realms of google!: thrush?! Symptoms of red swollen vulval area, burning after sex, and ok majorly tmi but sod it, when I inserted a finger it seems I have quite a thick curd-like discharge. Jesus did I actually just type that? Ground just swallow me up please.

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bebemooneedsabreak · 30/04/2011 18:12

might well be! and that's easily solved :) so let's hope (even if it is eeeew!)

Cazzr · 30/04/2011 18:41

"thick curd-like discharge" sounds like thrush to me... And would explain the burning..

Go get yer canestan/diflucan and see how you feel afgter that... You may find your smear results come back saying you have thrush too. Mine said I had a trace of it but it never developed and doc said they often get it come up in the results but not to treat if nopt symptomatic. With all the poking around you've had recently it could be thrush has developed...

Oo another thought. Did you use a condom? Not judging at all, quite the opposite, could you have had a reaction to the condom/spermicide? Some makes used to make me 'sore'. Usually the free ones from fps..

Mummy2day · 01/05/2011 08:59

latex allergy? could explain swelling/redness?

Original poster

first1 · 01/05/2011 09:36

Nope no condom was used (we've both been for full sexual health screens a fortnight ago). But today the vulva is soo itchy. I've taken a canesten oral tab and I'm using the cream please let that help!

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ConfessionsOfAnAchingFanjo · 01/05/2011 13:11

Thrush was my first thought. I have it reoccuring and even with no damage down there I get that burning you're talking about when I'm having a flare up. Your DP may need to be treated too so that you don't clear yourself up and then get reinfected from him.

Hope it clears up soon and you can get back to 'cheering'

Rosmarin · 01/05/2011 21:30

Hope it is something simple. As someone who has had her fair share of thrush experiences, I'd really really really urge you to use plenty of lube during sex (well, all of it), if you haven't already. It just seems to help with that! Good luck!

Rosmarin · 01/05/2011 21:31

DP will only really need to be treated if he has symptoms. It's not something that is contagious and not an STI. But, for example, his 'good bacteria' could get swung out of balance by yours if yours is really out of balance and you're not using a condom.

But I think it's very rare and he would notice if he had it!

cardamomginger · 01/05/2011 22:03

Oh yikes! I was wondering how you were getting on, so to speak. So sorry . If the thrush treatment doesn't clear it (and get him to take treatment too), then can you go back and see the gynae who sorted you out? I think with these things, they can look and seem healed, but until you give it all a test drive, you just don't know how your undercarriage is going to perform. Oh first - you will get there! And I'll be cheering with you (in a supportive non-creepy if-she-can-get-there-i-can-get-there sort of way). XX

ConfessionsOfAnAchingFanjo · 01/05/2011 22:12

My DH has caught thrush from me. He didn't notice until he had a bit of post sex stinging. It's not always noticable for men. Though you are right it's not an STI and your man generally won't catch it, but it's ruddy annoying/painful when he does!

Original poster

first1 · 03/05/2011 10:32

Update ladies!: went to gp this morning who took a swab for thrush. He tested my urine for infection which was all clear so thought the bit of blood could have been my period as it was the day I was due but I have a mirena so tend not to have much. He said he thinks the pain therefore was friction caused by dryness around the time of ones period. That and the key fact it's the first time my doors have been opened so to speak postnatal. I'm seeing my gynae at the end of the month so it's reassuring to know that if it happens again it's only a few weeks before I can discuss with a specialist.

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