TMI - Painful Intercourse UPDATE Post 30

[KatWrangler]

Background my youngest is 2 now and weaned a couple of months ago.

However, it is still painful when my husband and I have intercourse. For lack of a better description it's tight, and hurts/burns like rubbing. It also feels like he is hitting something when get started. We use plenty of lube (Astroglide, Surgi Lube, KY etc).

I have had 3 c-sections, no vaginal deliverys. I thought Breastfeeding was causing it, but since she has weaned, it is still painful. I mean I hurt the rest of the night (if we do it at night).

Could something of shifted with my last c-section? I also had my tube tieds at that time.

[Marnica]

Your pelvic floor is weak. I went through this after my CS. In fact I had been struggling with it before I had my son as well, but the CS just made it worse. I went to a physical therapist who specializes in "women's issues".

From what I gather it is a common problem that most OBGYN's are clueless about. I had several tell me it was "emotional" and probably had to do with my relationship with my husband . I saw the therapist for several months. She did in office stuff and gave me a home program to follow. I had to stop going because of $$, (it was not 100% covered for me), but I am much improved, and I do that the tools to use at home. I'm sure if I actually was better about following my home regime, I would be even better, but I have been lazy about it.

[KatWrangler]

Did you have bladder problems too? I noticed that when I need to pee, I sit and nothing comes out. Sometimes I have to wait and others just give up till my bladder is fuller.

[KatWrangler]

I did leave a message for my Doctors nurse this morning. I will let you know what she says.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Did you have bladder problems too? I noticed that when I need to pee, I sit and nothing comes out. Sometimes I have to wait and others just give up till my bladder is fuller.

Persoanlly I didn't, but my PT said that this is also a common issue asscoiated with a weak pelvic floor.

here is where I went. May not be in your area, but there is tons of great info on her website
http://www.adifferentapproachpt.com/site/

[KatWrangler]

Is a weak pelvic floor that same as prolapse? I see you can have vaginal, bladder and bowel. There are different degrees of prolapse.

[KatWrangler]

The other thing I have noticed is I can't wear tampons anymore. It hurts and I can't get it in all the way where it should be placed.

[tireesix]

Sounds like a prolapse (I have one, can't use tampons, hate towels so got an ablasion to stop the bleeding and now don't have to worry about either)......

Also, where is the pain? Is there one inside and one outside or is it all inside????? I have vulval vestibulitis/vulvodynia (thanks to the fibro) and I get really bad burning pain on the outside, just at the entrance.

Although, last time I had sex I noticed I was also bleeding so I am wondering whether my skin is starting to split during intercourse because of my EDS.

My sex life sux!!!!!

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by tireesix

Sounds like a prolapse (I have one, can't use tampons, hate towels so got an ablasion to stop the bleeding and now don't have to worry about either)......

Also, where is the pain? Is there one inside and one outside or is it all inside????? I have vulval vestibulitis/vulvodynia (thanks to the fibro) and I get really bad burning pain on the outside, just at the entrance.

Although, last time I had sex I noticed I was also bleeding so I am wondering whether my skin is starting to split during intercourse because of my EDS.

My sex life sux!!!!!

Back in 2004 I had uterine polyps. I had to have a D&C to get them out. I was bleeding after intercourse.

The pain is vaginal. But the very opening is very tight if you know what I mean.

[KatWrangler]

I have an appointment to see my OB/GYN next Monday. The nurse said it could be a combination of things. Weak Pelvic floor, prolapse of some type and or pre-menapause.

Oh joy.

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

Ugh. I'm sorry for that. I had some similar issues and saw a PT for a while (had to stop for the same reason as pp). It helped. But not completely. It's hit and miss - macabre pun intended.

[noobmom]

I had similar feelings after having my first. But it resolved when my hormones return (with AF). I know you said you've tried lubes, but have you tried any premium ones--ones that you have to buy online, not the ones in the drugstore? Astroglide did nothing for me, but Pjur Bodyglide worked really well. I'd try a silicone-based lube. Astroglide/KY are water-based.

[CookiePie]

I had simailar problems with DTD after my C/S, but I didn't have prolapse. Kegals, time & I try to have an big O before penetration, that helped with the tightness & pain so so much!

[Koalamom]

I understand the pain. Crazy amounts of kegals have really helped me. Being in the mood really helps too. I have really had to tell dh to give me a back rub to help with relaxation. I guess I am so uptight dealing with the kids, that I can't relax well. Sure no one else has that problem...

[JessicaS]

I have interstitial cystitis and have had a lot of long term issues due to it.



You might talk to your OB about pelvic floor therapy. There are therapists who specialize in that area.

[JENinOR]

I have vestibulitis and you can find out more about it on this thread...I used to be mommyjen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...t=vestibulitis

I'm healing and am so much better after removing food allergies. When I eat allegens, my vestibulits gets worse. If I stay off, I just keep getting better. I believe food allergies are symptoms themselves so now I'm working on healing those. Can we say Pandora's box anyone.

I have a friend who had IC and she is so, so much better!! So much healing for her in a year and a half since she had an ELISA and Comprehensive stool analysis (gut health). She had major overgrown candida and several overgrown pathogens in her GI. She's the one who convinced me to do a food allergy test and I'm SO glad I did. Hubby and I were/had to be abstinent (to painful) for over half a year!!! That sucked.

Hoping for healing for you, too.

[JENinOR]

Forgot, you can find out more about my journey here...it's where I hang out most online.

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/in...c,24552.0.html

[JENinOR]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Background my youngest is 2 now and weaned a couple of months ago.

However, it is still painful when my husband and I have intercourse. For lack of a better description it's tight, and hurts/burns like rubbing. It also feels like he is hitting something when get started. We use plenty of lube (Astroglide, Surgi Lube, KY etc).

I have had 3 c-sections, no vaginal deliverys. I thought Breastfeeding was causing it, but since she has weaned, it is still painful. I mean I hurt the rest of the night (if we do it at night).

Could something of shifted with my last c-section? I also had my tube tieds at that time.

I forgot to say that your symptoms sound EXACTLY like mine. If you look at the second link, I have a simple Q-tip test posted that you can do at home (and that I had a Pelvic Floor Therapist do).

[JessicaS]

Originally Posted by JENinOR

I have a friend who had IC and she is so, so much better!! So much healing for her in a year and a half since she had an ELISA and Comprehensive stool analysis (gut health). She had major overgrown candida and several overgrown pathogens in her GI. She's the one who convinced me to do a food allergy test and I'm SO glad I did. Hubby and I were/had to be abstinent (to painful) for over half a year!!! That sucked.

IC is a blanket diagnoses for many different issues. If one had that there would still be a journey to find the cause. I have some food allergies that I was unaware of. Eliminating those helped some but not completely.

There is a website that has a lot of information here

http://www.ic-network.com/

It has been nine years since my issues started

[mama1803]

OP--I could have written your post. I've had 2 c/s, no vaginal births, and a tubal ligation at my last c/s. Since the birth of my dd 3 years ago I have been experiencing the same symptoms as you. I am a mess down there! It has been frustrating to say the least trying to figure out what is wrong.

In addition to all the symptoms you listed, I also experience an intense burning when I shower--I've been thinking an allergy to something in my bath soap. It also burns when I urinate after intercourse and sometimes at random. Since the burning during urination also happens randomly, I was thinking something is wrong with my urine, like it is too strong. Maybe I'm not drinking enough water??

My last trip to the GYN was frustrating beyond belief--she tested me for all kinds of STDs which I knew I didn't have but felt like I had to go along with her suggestions because she wouldn't look for anything else until she had those test results. Anyone know how to go about finding a doctor or a PT experienced with prolapse or vulvar vestibulitis?

I know this post is rambling, but this has been so absolutely frustrating. I am excited to have some new avenues to pursue to solve this.