AIBU to think that I should be able to use tampons nearly nine months after giving birth?

[mameulah]

I just can't. And I have REALLY tried. And I have had an internal. The doctor says all is well and to just keep doing pelvic floor exercises.

Is it just me? Anyone else had this? Does it improve?

All things considered I don't suppose it really matters but I used to swim heaps and it is a bit inconvenient.

tia

[WorraLiberty]

What happens when you try to use them?

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I used tampons fine after first baby, but second baby? No go... They just seemed to work their way out . I found that Lilets were a little better as they expanded widthways.

Now I use a Mooncup

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

Is the problem that you can't physically insert them high enough or is it more that they go in but are slipping back out? Lilets are better than Tampax for staying higher up as they expand sideways not lengthways. Tampax compact are pretty easy to insert as the plastic slide bit is very smooth.

I have not tried one bit mooncups are meant to be good for those uncomfortable with tampons.

[mameulah]

Apologies, this is tmi...

The sensation is the same as when you first try using them one hundred years ago As though it doesn't have somewhere to sit. Like it can't go far back enough.

[Beastofburden]

Are you sure you don't have a prolapse?

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

If you had stitches perhaps they were done a bit too tight? I ha e a friend who really struggled with this after a forceps delivery. It was well over a year before sex was bearable for her as it felt too tight at the vaginal opening. Could you go back to your doc and explain the problem again? Maybe get any stitched area rechecked .

[mameulah]

If I had a prolapse would they not have seen it when they gave me an internal? I went again after my six week post natal check.

[MrsAMerrick]

OP, I had horrible pain trying to use tampons after DS 1 birth. And as for sex... impossible. I was checked at the 6 week check (hadn't tried tampons or sex then!) and told everything was "fine". I went to GP 6 months after birth to explain what was going on, GP checked and said he couldnt see a problem. Went back at 9 months and asked for referral to obstetrician/gynae, who told me that the pain was psychological because I was afraid of sex and tampons, even though I assured him that I wasn't, and moreover I could feel where the pain was. I demanded second opinion, saw female gynae who was brilliant, within seconds of ding an internal said I had Keloid (sp?) scarring from being stitched and would need minor op to correct. Op carried out, no problems since.
Might be worth asking about if you had stitches post-birth?

[PauseandRewind]

After my fourth DC was born I just couldn't get a tampon to go in right and some would almost do a U-turn. Turns out I had a prolapse of my bladder (cystocele) and "inability to retain a tampon" was put in the referral letter to the hospital. Bizzarely I know the problem had been caused 7 years earlier during the birth of my DS1 which was a forceps delivery. During the fruitless 3 hour pushing stage I developed awful piles and when I got home from the hospital I decided to look and see how much damage had been done. I got a mirror and when I was looking I happened to cough and saw a red sort of bulge, something I'd never seen before but I just thought maybe I could see a bit further inside than normal, considering I'd just pushed out a baby. Seven years and 3 more DC's later I was watching Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies and they showed a woman being examined internally. She was asked to cough and I she'd got a bulge just like mine. I couldn't understand why no healthcare professional had told me during smears or any subsequent labours that I'd got a prolapse and on finally seeing my consultant prior to surgery I was told unless I raised the issue as a problem they would not mention it to me.

[Notmoreschoolholidays]

I can't use tampons or a mooncup as they seem to work their way out. It's really uncomfortable feeling this thing half in half out. Turns out that I have a 'fallen bladder', which is almost a prolapse but not quite. Pelvic floors do naff all to correct it and I'm forced to use horrible pads for the rest of my menstruating days days! (Feeling dramatic due to influence of atmospheric thunder storm).

[Pigsmummy]

Omg I thought that this was just me and I haven't told a soul. Docs appointment next week me thinks

[Beastofburden]

If your bladder is wobbly they can put a little sling across it, keyhole surgery, works a treat.

[Shakey1500]

MrsAMerrick I could have written your post word for word (almost)!

4th degree tear, stitched after delivery, 2nd op as stitches were crap and had become infected, pain upon inserting tampon, no sex. 3rd op also unsuccessful, also told it was psychological, given dilators to "practise" with , painkillers. FINALLY got second opinion, also had keloids, 4th op was a modified Fentons procedure. 2years later all was well

[Notmoreschoolholidays]

The only reason my almost prolapse came to light was when the physio, who I'd been referred to for stress incontinence, had her fingers inside me and asked me to cough. She said the bladder was very mobile when I coughed as it wasn't being held in place securely. Nobody had picked up on it during my 6 week checks, or when I had surgery to have my stitched redone after birth of ds1. No nurses said anything during smears, and during internal exams during pregnancy with ds2 (i had a lot due to spotting) not a word was uttered.

[PauseandRewind]

I accepted having babies would hurt but nobody ever told me my fanjo would be beaten to within an inch of its life!

[Finickynotfussy]

I have found it slightly harder but I didn't have any damage - so it seems that even the stretching may change the shape. Still can't get a Mooncup in though!

Hope you can find solution.

[itshotintexas]

If you do have a prolapse, and they examined you lying down, then its harder to detect as everything goes back into place if you see what I mean. A fallen bladder is still a prolapse, its an anterior wall prolapse. I also have not been able to use tampons since the birth of my first child almost 14 years ago - very depressing. Luckily I have now finished my family and have had a mirena for 9 years which literally changed my life. Will be changing it for another next year. Not sure how much this helps, but sympathies - its pretty annoying.

[MrsAMerrick]

Shakey so sorry to hear you had a horrid time too. The first Gynae consultant I saw suggested dilators etc for my "psychological" problems as i was apparently "tensing up", which is when I demanded a second opinion as I really didn't think that was the problem

[Shakey1500]

Ach tis fine

And like you, I knew there was something. kept trying to describe the stinging sensation but to no avail. Even when the second consultant agreed with me and agreed to do the 4th op, I STILL drew him a diagram of exactly where the pain was!

[mameulah]

Wow, am sorry to hear so many others are having an awkward time of it.

I am not in the least bit of pain. Just really uncomfortable whenever I try to use tampons.

Will have to keep persevering.

[wtf1981]

Um I'm 32 and have never been able to use a tampon. ..it just won't go in???? Psychological? Yeo probs but they just don't go in and I don't get them...