Problems with episiotomy after 10 years?!

[notforthefainthearted]

First of all, apologies for tmi.

Wasn't sure if I should put this in the Menopause section but opted for here.

I have 3 children, the youngest 10 years old, all vaginal births, last two were 9 lb 1 and 9 lb 8 resp. I had episiotomy with all three -actually I'mnot sure if the last was cut or if I tore.

First two episiotomies healed nicely, no problems. The last was quite a different matter. It was a big baby and a very quick birth. I had stitches and was very swollen and bruised afterwards, had a lot more pain than with the others. I was 37 though, as opposed to being in in my twenties with the first two.

So, I have had intermittent problems, i.e. a little discomfort, almost pain sometimes during intercourse. Recently I have been having more pain in that area. It seems to become sore regularly and occasionally there is a little blood - I know this is from my perineum and not cycle related.

I am finding this very difficult to deal with, painful when sitting,I daren't have intercourse, I've almost stopped wearing jeans because they seem to "chafe".

Wondered if anyone else is having this problem or has had this problem and is there anything I can do?

I should add that I'm 48 and probably perimenopausal, I've a referral to see a gynecologist in March about other problems which may or may not be perimenopause problems - bleeding during cycle mainly.

I usually shower but am trying to have salt baths to soak the area - using dead sea salts as I have skin problems anyway and it's meant to help them.

I tried organic aloe vera gel but it stung like crazy!

Help! I'm a bit depressed anyway and am just feeling really down about this. I don't want to go back to my GP and will wait until I see the gynecologist in March but just wondered if there's anything I can do to help in the meantime.

[Jellykat]

mangledmess Your situation sounds awful, so sorry..
Have you thought about a second opinion? I went to a gynae a couple of years ago who was horrendous, he got cross with me because i dared to ask questions, and i didn't trust what he was saying for some reason.. went back to my GP and explained why i wanted a second opinion, she re-referred me, and 3 months later, Voila! the 2nd gynae found 2 fibroids.. now don't tell me they'd mysteriously grown in 3 months
If you get on ok with your GP i'd go back and explain how this gynae has made you feel and ask for another.. worth a try?

notfor So glad its helping a bit! hope it sees you through for a while.
Boots and Lloyds both do an Almond oil BP, which you can also bung in your bath (just a few drops) for the rest of you, it makes your skin feel lovely afterwards

[notforthefainthearted]

Well, it certainly seems to be menopause related, as some of you seem to be in the same situation.

Jelly, all I had time for today was to nip into Savers where they had a bottle of almond oil for £1, it lists almond oil as the only ingredient so I hope it will be ok.

I will bear the thrush thing in mind if the oil no longer helps. I'm just relieved that it no longer hurts at the moment.

I'm so sorry that others are suffering also with this. I agree with Jelly about trying to get a second opinion.

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

Sympathy for you OP and everyone else who suffers in this way.

I have also had problems (though not as much as you I think) after a traumatic birth and not had much advice from my gynaecologist.

Someone recommended Balance Activ to me, thought I would mention it.

[notforthefainthearted]

Thanks unexpecteditem I will look that up.

[izzypoo0209]

I'm 24 & had my daughter 3 years ago. The scar where she tore me is now all of a sudden real red and sore too.

[izzypoo0209]

Might not be menopause related, like I said, I'm 24 & definitely not going through menopause but have the same problem.

[PollyPerky]

TBH a prolapse doesn't bleed. If it's really bad- ie vaginal walls, or bladder or uterus coming right out of the opening - then it might get chaffed but bleeding as such is not a symptom. And you'd be able to see this with a small mirror!

It sounds as if your scar tissue has changed. This can happen when you reach peri because your oestrogen levels will be falling. This can cause tissues to shrink and become drier.

Vaginal and vulval areas can wrinkle without oestrogen (lovely!) and you lose the fat and cushioning that kept you comfortable.
The inner and outer labia shrink (well, they do!) so the whole area is different.

If this is what is happening then you need something like topical oestrogen- it's a small tube of cream- to use. But you need to see a gynae who knows about all of this. You might even need another small op on your scar to relieve any pressure but again a vulva expert is what you need so it doesn't get worse.

Not sure where you live but what you need is a gynae who is experienced in dealing with knackered perineums! If private treatment is an option I can send you some links to drs- PM me.

[Mskk78]

I had an Episiotomy 26 years ago when I had my first son he was 9’2 . I had two other children after that . I had a stage 2 Episiotomy. And for some reason at age 41 I decided to take a mirror and check my private area. The reason I did that was to check myself, I felt like I keeped scratching myself with the toilet tissue. And to my surprise saw something different then what looks on the outside. I no rice that I can see a hole and I can see my hymen. I am depressed and I am under a lot of anxiety over this. I want to know if it would rip I want to fix it.