Episiotomy scar causing discomfort

[Loosemo]

I had to have an episiotomy when my DS was born 20 months ago.

I am still experiencing tightness and pain in that area during sex and wondered if anyone had any tips for relieving the discomfort and perhaps improving the scar tissue?

Contractubex

It is a scar cream specific for gynecological operations & mastectomies. It helped enormously with my painful episiotomy scar.

I had a similar thing, Loosemo. I tried the hormone cream, but didn't do anything for me. I saw physios and gynaes at the hospital where I gave birth. They were all incredibly supportive and understanding.

In the end I went in for day surgery. They removed the extra scar tissue, which had created a barrier making penetration difficult. It changed everything - though I still have a bit of pain along the scar during sex, but no more tightness. Re the pain, (i.e. not tightness) basically I think the only solution is to keep having sex as the rubbing will eventually soften it.

Are you BFing? If so your hormone levels will slow down the scar healing process (I've not described this well, apols).

Also did you have lots of baths post-birth? Hospital staff failed to inform me that this would impede the wound healing (thanks, guys) so that's why, like you, my problems went on well past my DS's first birthday.

Crikey, I had lots of baths in sea salt (advice from my dear mum) to help my poorly bits heal.

I did BF for six months or so, but my DS had such a ferocious appetite I couldn't keep up with him! I didn't realise that it would affect my scar healing - even so, I wouldn't have changed my mind about BFing. Mind you if I do go for another ride on the pregnancy merry-go-round, I'll be better informed.

I guess I will have to put away my bed snake bat and persevere with the sex! My DH will be only to happy to help with the healing process

Thanks CoteDAzur for the nod about the scar cream - I'll give it a go

That's exactly what I did, lots of sea salt + lavender baths. I even told the hospital physio that was what I was planning to do when I got home, and she said it was fine.

The BF thing - I also decided to carry on BFing as I felt it was more important for DS to benefit from my immunity, etc. The whole thing made me realise what a massive sacrifice it is to use your body to bring another human into the world. I think it actually took me almost 2 years before I felt anywhere near normal again.

I think we all deserve Knighthoods!

Don't feel that you can't go back to your GP if you're still in lots of pain. Is there a female GP at your practice who has had children? She'd prob be most sympathetic. If not, arm yourself with advice and then go to your doctor and if they're of the 'put up or shut up' generation, you should push, push, push for a referral. Painful sex is not normal and not acceptable.

i too had an op after a year cos everything was too bloody painful. the name of the op is "fenton's procedure", just day surgery but it helped an awful lot. i found it was becasue the surgeon had stitched up too much - this was the fenton's consultant telling me this. please go back to your docs if the cream doesn't work for you. xx

That's it - fenton's procedure (made me laugh as I was at uni with a medic whose surname was Fenton - didn't much fancy the idea of an old uni chum scrambling around me bits!).