I feel 'different' down below and inserting tampax now painful

[sheeplikessleep]

DS2 has just turned a year and I've got my first, post baby period. Still BFing.

I've always used Tampax, never had a problem, never painful to use (at worst, a little uncomfortable when dryer at end of period).

But, now, it feels like the tampax is too big for me. It hurts to put it in and in particular, to push it in to the end (it never used to). It's uncomfortable for a couple of minutes after putting it in.

It's been playing on my mind a bit, as sometimes, it feels (when I put a finger up, sorry tmi) like there is a bulge on the front wall of my vagina. I'm quite worried there is something not right.

Sex feels OK, again takes a bit of time to 'warm up' so to speak and get more comfortable, but I've put that down to still breastfeeding. It's not painful. It wasn't comfy until after I finished feeding with DS1.

Sorry - this is a bit of a dump of information. I am going to book a Doctors appointment, but just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar.

Thanks

It sounds like a uterine prolapse. It's very normal for women to have this, it's just a weakness of the pelvic floor. Your GP can refer you to a gynacologist who will then refer you to a continence nurse who will give you pelvic floor exercises to help. Sex wise, have you tried using a pillow under your bum to prop yourself up a little?

Keep doing the exercises, do them with me...and clench...hold...1...2..3...4...5...and slowly release.

thanks for responding. would a prolapse cause tampons to be more painful? i'll book appointment on monday. do you know whether dr will need to examine me before referring me? i'm assuming he/she will.

i'll try the pillow under the bum trick. thing is after ds1, sex was more painful than it has been with ds2. it's difficult to work out whether there is a problem, or whether it's just because it's different after having kids. but the tampons thing is a pain.

i'll phone up monday.

It will be bashing into your cervix. Have a feel around, a prolapse will feel like an upside down cone shape. You may find the small, mini ones less painful (lilettes etc). The doc will want to examine you I'm afraid. Do you leak urine/faeces also?

The bump could be your cervix, mine definitely migrated south after childbirth Is the bump firmish and smooth and with a definite 'edge'? The cervix is usually lower at the start of a period, so it may be that it's more noticeable when you bump a tampon up against it.

Tis your pelvic floor also HouseOfBamboo. You can get 'stuff' to help exercise it, pilates is also very good.

Only time I've leaked urine is when I had a bad cough when DS2 was a few months old. Not recently. Not leaked faeces.

Thanks for posting. It feels like it's bashing my cervix, exactly how it feels, like it isn't long enough for the tampons any more.

"stuff" ??

It's not generally a problem, but it's definitely lower (though thankfully still 'up there').

It's OK. Not leaking is good, it's usual to sneeze and leak (stress incontinence, we never really do get out of nappies if you think about it ) Keep doing the pelvic floor exercises, even though you're going to see your GP. There are different severities of prolapses, some poor women have them hanging out, this is the worst one Sounds like yours is very mild (even though it doesn't feel like it). Try a smaller tampon and do some experimenting with positions to find one which is comfortable.

Clench...hold...1...2...3...4...5 and slowly release.

House You can get weights Boots sell them I think. If you google 'pelvic floor aids' you'll find something.

House - thanks for posting. I'll see later when I have my bath. Belledechocchipcookie - thanks too, i'm wanting to check i'm exercising properly.

Dreading seeing Dr. Hoping this doesn't scupper any incling towards DC3.

Thanks for posting - I'm logging off now, don't want to google any more! Cheers

Just keep up the exercises.

We've definitely found 'deep' positions to be less comfy for me. Gawd, I feel v v v old now.

Definitely logging off and going to watch Enders. Thanks for the info.

doing them now belle (right, definitely last post!)

Ta Belle - just googled images of pelvic floor muscles, wow v interesting.

You both need to do LOTS of them, in groups of 5 as often as you can. Pilates is very good at helping

I've not been able to use Tampax comfortably since having DD. It felt like I couldn't insert them far enough iyswim. Prior to the DCs I found Lillets really uncomfortable.

Now I use Lilets with no problems. I don't have a prolapse.