Anyone else have discomfort from a childbirth 'injury' when, ahem, intimate?

[shootfromthehip]

Started this in chat but no-one answered so please help me out here...

So this is a little embarrassing. I had a ECS with DC 1 and then a VBAC with DC2. I didn't have stitches but did tear a little. 2 yrs down the line and when vigorously intimate I still feel some discomfort where I tore. Does anyone else have this problem and if so, how long can I expect this to continue?

I am blushing slightly so I may wander off now and pray that no-one in RL knows my chat name !!!

I had discomfort for around 8 months after giving birth, but it did subside.

It can still be uncomfortable from time to time but not often. 2 years is a long time to put up with this. I wouldn't be embarrassed about it, there are lots of women who have found it difficult to have sex after childbirth and your GP will be used to the concerns.

You do need to go back and have an examination. It's most likely scar tissue that is causing friction. But it can be put right and you don't need to suffer uncomfortable sex for years.

Thanks rhubarb, it's not all the time but usually as I say when we are being vigourous or adventurous. It's more annoying than anything as it's not blindingly painful but uncomfortable enough to distract me IYKWIM . Which is very unfortunate. Boo.

Could you use a lubricant?

If you've torn then you'll have scar tissue, which isn't usually a problem. However if your love-making is causing friction on the scar tissue then it's going to be uncomfy. Like if you had a scar anywhere and rubbed against it quite hard, it's the same thing.

You could have a check-up just to put your mind at rest. If it's a real problem I know they can do something about it. But if it only happens when you are vigourous, then I'd try to find some other solution, like KY Jelly.

Cheers- good advice. May have a check-up but hate my bloody GP so will try the other option first . Many thanks.

Can you not change GP?

Or get a nurse to do the check-up?

Oh I must be imagining things, I thought I'd replied earlier but obviously hadn't... God knows who I've inadvertently replied to as I was as work at the time.

Anyway, just wanted to add that Rhubarb is quite right, scar tissue can often be the cause of painful sex. I saw my gp who referred me to a gynaecologist who "burnt" some scar tissue off me using some sort of nitrate (I forget the exact name). It was a very quick, painless procedure which immediately helped and sex is no longer as painful as it was. The gynae also told me to have as much sex as possible to keep the 'area' well elasticated (this is of course if there is no longer any problem with scar tissue etc) I was a bit skeptical but I think there must be something in this as regular sex helps a lot. I know its embarrassing going to your gp but you really must get this seen to, a few moments discomfort for the sake of a pain free sex life is a small price to pay. Make an appointment tomorrow if you can!