Can't get tampons out after childbirth

[SMBC2020]

I had dd over 2 years ago now and it wasn't a good birth. I lost a lot of blood and had a bad tear that they initially thought was 3rd degree but it was actually deep 2nd degree. I was in surgery for about an hour afterwards for stitches etc and everything seems to have healed ok.

Since childbirth, I've really struggled with using tampons. They go in ok and don't fall out, but I really struggle to remove them. It's like there's a band inside my vagina that they get stuck on. Has anyone else had this?

I've not had sex since having dd as I'm single but I've just started seeing someone and the thought of sex terrifies me.

Any ideas of what could be going on?

Is it your pelvic floor muscles by any chance? Just a suggestion! You have two bands of muscle, one near the hymen and one further in. Could they be overtight, or they tense up when you try to get the tampon out?

I've not hot on with tampons at all since childbirth. They don't feel comfortable and seem to move around. I've started using period underwear and swimwear instead.

So with my last they sewed me up to tight and there was a lip at the entrance that wasn't there before. Can you feel anything like that? I imagine it could have caused tampon problems if much worse. Have you tried different brands (some are longer and thinner) or pulling out at weird angles? Without wanting to scare you, sex was hell until I re-tore back to normal.

I've stopped using tampons after one got really stuck and I was in tears.

Tampons get stuck about 1cm up my vagina. It does feel sort of like a lip. I've googled s few things and what it sounds most like is a hymen but I'm obviously not a virgin and never had this problem before childbirth. Can the hymen come back?

I have been doing a lot of pelvic floor exercises since childbirth as I was totally incontinent after and the physio said that was how to fix it and I got into the habit of exercising a lot.

The guy I'm seeing is an ex from a long time ago. TMI but He's huge 🙈 and so it does give me the fear. We know each other well and I'd be able to warn him. I'll have a go with some dildos first. I'm also due a smear test so presumably the speculum will help.