Deflated piles/skin tags affecting sex life

[AnonymousAli]

Hoping to be reassured this is something other people suffer with!
I am early thirties and have suffered with mild constipation throughout my life, not something that causes any pain, but I just generally don’t “go” very often.
As a result of this I have had external haemorrhoids a few times. Each time obviously stretching the skin around my bum and then deflating, but leaving the horrible bits of skin left.
Not necessarily a skin tag as they usually have a little narrow stalk at the base, there’s no way I could tie a bit of cotton around these!!😂I never feel clean after going to the loo as there’s so many crevices!! Maybe 3 blueberry sized bits of skin around my bum.
I am single and this really affects my confidence as it’s not something talked about very often. The thought of men seeing them and being horrified really makes me never want to go near anyone ever again.
I believe this isn’t something covered on NHS as it is deemed cosmetic.
Anyone else?!

@AnonymousAli I posted earlier on the thread about potentially getting them done on the NHS depending on your trust and just wanted to update and say I got my own anal skin tags done today, on the NHS. I waited 83 weeks but could have been done sooner except I had work commitments

I'm pretty sore but okay, dreading the first poo though! I also had quite a few internal haemorrhoids banded so I think that's a lot of the soreness, I feel sorer inside than outside

I’ve found my people! It’s an absolute car crash down there. Plus the joy of birth damage all along the perinium bulging out at the ends too. So tempted by surgery but absolutely terrified of the pain. I had three anal fissures at once several years ago. They took 10 months to get rid of and I was regularly passing out. I can’t ever have that pain again.

The more I read about surgery the more I think no way. Seems like the most painful thing ever😭

I guess that makes sense about the stretching!!

@AnonymousAli I just googled the surgeon I had, he is based in Liverpool at the Spire for private appointments but carries out NHS procedures in St Helens where I went. He was an absolutely delightful person, so kind and understanding. When I had my private consult with him, he was adamant that this treatment should fall under the NHS, that it was outrageous we should live with this discomfort and incovenience for years and years! Not sure where you are in the country but if I had to do it again I would travel hours to see him.

livewww.spirehealthcare.com/consultant-profiles/mr-rajasundaram-rajaganeshan-c4720016/

@Snoozer11 Umm no problems with the stretching after lol... maybe immediately after obvs but once healed it's fine.

If you have the money, get a little hose thing installed by the toilet. They have them in so many counties in Middle East and South America, you wash with the hose and pat dry with the paper. Bloody bliss!! And feel so wonderful and clean all day even if piles aren’t an issue.

Bloody hell do we all need to have perfect bum holes now?
Years ago I had hemorrhoids removed for health reasons - the healing hurt like you would not believe I fell off the toilet with the pain.

I have these too after childbirth. Honestly I don’t feel great about them but it sounds like they’re pretty common, and as PP say, decent men won’t care in the slightest. I didn’t know surgery was an option but with having IBS it sounds like a horrific option!

If you ever get anal fissures again you can get them to heal really quick with an antifungal shampoo. I had mine for three years, tried everything and then someone advised this. healed up in three weeks.

I have these because of pregnancy and iron tablets (wish I'd not bothered with the latter!). One tag doesn't really cause any issues and one is a bit dangly and gets in the way! I thought about surgery but considering how much pain is involved I think I'll just stick to using a baby wipe to clean my bum properly after each poo. I really don't want to get an infection either after having a nasty experience with a antibiotic resistannt bug after my second c-section. It is really annoying but not worth the risks for me.

I know, I know. 😂 not aiming for perfection, just a bit of confidence!

Thanks for that. Not too far away! Now just to build up the courage to get my bum out!

Hey OP
No advice to get rid of them, but have you tried one of those squatting stools to help you prevent straining while going to the toilet? It might help to prevent future issues!

A couple of things.
Post-operatively I have had no issues at all with 'stretching'. Literally I've gone back to the bum I used to have years ago, no issues whatsoever.

Please don't downplay the impact of piles by suggesting that it's just about cosmetics. They are itchy, they are painful, they bleed, they hang out causing a constant feeling of needing to poo and wanting to push them back in.

Yes the immediate post-operative pain was truly awful but as I said upthread I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if necessary. But mine were more than just a cosmetic issue.

Mine were external so can’t shove anything back in! unless I have a flare up or sit on the loo for too long I can ignore them (but do feel like I can’t get clean sometimes after a BM). It’s a tricky one! Thanks for sharing your experience

Just to say I'm now 9 days post banding of piles and surgical removal of anal skin tags and I'm feeling 90% back to normal. Still sore when I have a poo but otherwise fine, I've not dared look yet but things definitely feel less lumpy down there and it's easier to clean myself

Here's another positive surgery story. My GP actually offered their removal on the NHS. No issue at all. Only had a local anesthetic. The surgeon seemed to burn them off. It was not painful in the least and recovery was almost immediate. The only downside was the surgeon was mid thirties and gorgeous. Lying with my legs open with smoke coming from my bum whilst he grinned endearingly at me was an experience l won't forget!!

@Roundthetwistyroad that doesn't sound like the kind of thorough thing that I had with a GA and internal investigation and some banding as well. I'm glad it worked for you though.

A squatting stool won’t stop it happening. I’ve stood by my squatty potty for years but pregnancy and IBS gave me horrific piles. I’ve not got what you’re describing. It’s the size of a very small penis or a very large clitoris hanging from my arse. And it swells if I have a day of running back and forth to the toilet. It’s painful as fuck and I can’t sit or lie down properly for ages afterwards. If I’m having a really bad flare up, the pain is excruciating for days and I can’t walk properly.

I’ve had all the creams the doctors can prescribe. Plus some sort of numbing agent that is for inside which doesn’t help because the problem is outside. I was supposed to be getting referred to surgery but it hasn’t happened as far as I know. I’m saving up what I can just now to get it done privately.

@IamTheBridge Mine was the same as yours...EUA (examination under anaesthetic) plus banding of internal haemorrhoids and they cut off my external skin tags too

I was quite sore for a few days post-surgery but more from the banding than the skin tag removal. I'm 11 days post surgery now and feeling pretty good, it really only hurts when I poo. The laser procedure sounds great though!

Oh that sounds awful to live with!! I know what you mean about the swelling after a day of needing a few trips to the loo though, it’s not comfortable