Vaginal granuloma following episiotomy

[Loolaloo]

Does anyone have any experience of vaginal granuloma following episiotomy? I’m 3 months post partum and had awful pain following my episiotomy as my stitches opened about a week after giving birth.
At my 8 week check up my wound had healed really well however I now have an internal granuloma which the Dr told me should get better on its own. It’s really uncomfortable and I’ve had lots of discharge which has recently become much thicker and yellow. It also seems to have grown lots in the last few weeks.

I went back to the Dr today and she’s given me antibiotics as it appears to be infected, but when I asked about having it removed she told me she wouldn’t refer me to a gynaecologist because it hadn’t been long enough. ( I’m 12 weeks pp today) Everything I’ve read said that they don’t get ‘better’ on their own and most people have had them removed using silver nitrate or surgically removed under a local anaesthetic. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I wonder if I should be more pushy about the gynacologist referral? I can’t imagine being able to have sex with it as it is and putting up with the discharge for another 3 months is so depressing. 😞

I had a very similar situation. It drove me crazy. I couldn’t walk for a long period of time with it and just felt yuck! My doctor prescribed a steroid cream, within days I had noticed a difference. I can’t remember it’s name though, sorry!

I had one but unlike you, I didn't notice it myself and it was diagnosed at my six week check. The obstetrician treated it there and then with silver nitrate, which was a tiny bit painful when applied, and then more uncomfortable for the 48 hours afterwards. At a follow up appointment about a month later, all was well.

Infection sounds rotten and it does seem like an unreasonably long time to wait to see a doctor for removal. I think you are right to be a bit pushier. If it is causing you pain and discomfort now, that is a problem. Best wishes.

Thanks PinkaColada, will mention the cream when I go back. She did say that massaging might help but when I asked which bit I should massage she said the scar site. The issue I have is that I can’t see where I was cut internally, only externally and the granuloma seems to start quite far inside and is basically hanging out (sorry probably tmi, 😳). I think I’ll give the antibiotics a week or so to kick in and will then go back and insist on a referral. It just seems ridiculous that you have to wait for it to affect your life so much before they’ll do anything.

Sycamore54321 it sounds like you were lucky to have your 6 week check with an obstetrician. My GP wouldn’t even have examined me if I hadn’t asked her to have a look and that’s despite the fact that my episiotomy stitches had opened up and no one had checked to see how I’d healed!

I had something similar. They were planning to cauterise with silver nitrate when the consultant suggested that we try fucidin cream first. It made a huge difference.

I had something similar and my GP wanted to treat with silver nitrate over a course of weeks, I didn't like the sound of this so went to see a private gynae and she removed it under local anaethestic and it didn't give me any more trouble. She also said that it was unlikely the silver nitrate would have worked as the area was quite large.

Yes I was lucky, that was the system where I lived at the time. It also meant I didn't have the anxiety of waiting for an appoibtment to get bits burned off my bits. I was very lucky in that she explained to me what the problem was, what the solution was, I consented and was treated right away.

Please do persist

Oh and the anxiety was because of what it sounded like. In reality the procedure was fine.

I don't have experience with this, but there's a lot of research showing that women are not taken as seriously when reporting pain and health problems, specially about "women's issues". I think your plan to take the course of AB, see how it is, and then insist on a referral is a good one.

I had a granuloma on vaginal tissue (not from the episotomy which healed fine but from 2nd degree tears on vaginal tissue). I got silver nitrate about 9 weeks PP and it fixed it (there was a bit of stinging when they applied it but the tissue felt better pretty much instantly! ). I initially raised it at my 6 week check and they could see the granuloma pretty clearly then. GP referred me straight away. Sorry to hear you're experiencing this still at 12 weeks.

Just posting as a long shot that you see the. Just curious to know how things turned out for you treatment wise?

I’ve been persisting with my GP now since my 8 week check as I had a weird red blobby thing. I am twelve weeks pp now and I’ve finally been referred to gynae but that could take another 6 weeks.

Just wondered how it all went for you. Can’t wait to get rid of this sucker, it’s so incredibly uncomfortable.

Hi everyone. I an 14weeks pos partum. I also have a granuloma and it will be removed next week.
Did you also experience vaginal/vulva pain when you are standing for a long period of time?

Yes! It was horrendous. I had to sit down every 5-10 minutes if I’d been on my feet for a while. I am pleased to say it disappeared almost instantly after my granuloma was silver nitrated off!

Sending healing wishes to you - Feel better soon!

Thats great. Hope to have the same look. Thank you

Hey @Loolaloo sorry you're having a tough time. I had a missed torn episiotomy and secondary granuloma which became a very large polyp after my sons forceps delivery. 7 months post partum I had a fentons surgical procedure. I would ask for referral now to an Gynae consultant to get the ball rolling then you can be fully informed about your choices. I also had awful discharge and horrific pain. You have massive sympathy from me. Good luck x