Postpartum prolapse and polyps affecting confidence and future sex life

[Stardust127]

Hi

im feeling so down. I had my 3rd baby 5 weeks ago and I have what I am certain is a vaginal prolapse and I also have 3 polyps at the entrance of my vagina. The prolapse pretty much covers the entrance about 1cm in. It is gross and I actually felt sick when I looked at it. Has anyone else had this and had it resolved/treated?

This is of course going to affect my sex life. I won’t let my husband anywhere near me let alone will I entertain the idea of being physically close. I’m talking about the future not necessarily now. Apparently these prolapses and polyps are left to be if they aren’t causing pain or significantly impacting your life. I’ve read about a lot of women just having to get on with it.

I also hate my body so won’t be naked around my husband. Even when breastfeeding my baby I’ll cover myself while he’s around. He is so sweet and understanding. He’s constantly trying to reassure me and comfort me but of course because I hate my body nothing is going to sway my mind on this.

thank you for reading x

OP, your baby is still very very young so please don’t be hard on yourself.

I unfortunately cannot help you with any practical advice; I only had one child and had a c section so have no experience of post birth issues in that area (although I realise having a c section doesn’t guarantee no issues of course).

I just don’t want you to feel so down on yourself when you only have birth a month ago. Your feelings and emotions will be all over the place anyway (I remember that very well!). Give it a bit of time, and in a few months’ time when you feel a bit more settled maybe then approach your GP for help/advice; or your health visitor when (or if) you next see yours.

Sorry you are experiencing this .Please get yourself along to your Gp to get some advice and a gynae referral. You've just given birth so please be a bit nicer to yourself, you are still changing shape ,recovering ,feeding a child adjusting to a million feelings .Take a breath .I bet you've never looked as good to your husband, your amazing. Thats what mine kept saying to me .I had a lot of issues post delivery and surgery 2 yrs later which did help a great deal .

See if you are able to get a referral for some female specialist physio.
Proper pelvic floor treatment can have great impact on vaginal prolapse. It's much better than just you doing pelvic floor exercises yourself as they can identify if you are fully engaging the muscles, if one side is weaker etc. I had some before Covid appeared and although I didn't get that many sessions, it definitely improved things and I was then able to do more on my own to progress further.
I think the alternatives of surgery are more scary as previously it involved mesh which then led to a lot of women having significant and long term pain issues. I believe they no longer do it using mesh so not sure what options are available.