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Original poster

Episiotomy scarring - first hand advice please

7 replies

MistyWitch · 26/01/2026 12:10

As a c section mum I have no first hand experience or advice so I’m coming to the knowledgable ladies of mumsnet for help.

Best friend has teenage children and is long divorced. Recently has started up a new romance (10 years since her divorce) and has what she thinks may be keloid scarring from her episiotomy (dc1) and what was described a “grazing” with dc2. Realistically what are her options for fixing this without risking or causing more scarring?

Is she best of just going to see her GP? My flippant suggestion of bio-oil did at least get a laugh.

OP posts:
DeeKitch · 27/01/2026 09:41

Bio Oil is a good suggestion

Her GP can refer her in case surgery can correct it x

Pyjamatimenow · 27/01/2026 09:49

Why is it an issue? If she’s worried about what it looks like honestly any decent guy won’t care and frankly most of them don’t know what vaginas are meant to look like anyway. I think probably most vags don’t look the same once you’ve had kids vaginally. If it’s causing her pain it’s another matter and she can ask for a referral for advice. I’ve got bad scarring on mine from a huge episiotomy bag opened up several times. It’s healed and I’m not bothered what it looks like

PortSalutPlease · 27/01/2026 09:51

Why on earth does it matter? Nobody will care. Most men won’t even notice.

StuntNun · 27/01/2026 11:30

I would suggest going to the GP but being willing to consider paying for a private dermatology consultation if she doesn't get anywhere with the NHS. Keloids are difficult to treat but silicone gels are a conservative treatment. There are some reports of keloids being helped by extended fasting but there isn't any hard evidence to support it so it would only be worth trying if she was already considering fasting for other reasons.

For the two posters pooh-poohing the OP's friend for caring about a scar, keloids can be extremely painful and itchy and are raised so a sexual partner probably would notice a large red lump that is painful when touched. Hmm

gamerchick · 27/01/2026 11:51

I tried. The episiotomy wrecked my sex life, I've never had a feeling in the perineum since. If it's sore then it's worth getting a look at to see if I can be repaired. If it's cosmetic and works ok I don't think I would bother. The gynecologist treated me like an idiot and pretended he didn't know what I was talking about. As did the 3 women who sat in the room just looking at me.l like 3 wise monkeys.

DeeKitch · 27/01/2026 13:08

Even sitting can be painful so if it’s the scar pulling she can get help definitely

Pyjamatimenow · 27/01/2026 16:15

StuntNun · 27/01/2026 11:30

I would suggest going to the GP but being willing to consider paying for a private dermatology consultation if she doesn't get anywhere with the NHS. Keloids are difficult to treat but silicone gels are a conservative treatment. There are some reports of keloids being helped by extended fasting but there isn't any hard evidence to support it so it would only be worth trying if she was already considering fasting for other reasons.

For the two posters pooh-poohing the OP's friend for caring about a scar, keloids can be extremely painful and itchy and are raised so a sexual partner probably would notice a large red lump that is painful when touched. Hmm

I was going off the fact that the op says the woman has teenagers so presumably she’s had the scarring for a long time and it is only an issue now because she’s worried about how it looks

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