tampon problem **tmi alert

[Lisa B]

Hi there,

Sorry this is probably too much information but it's not the sort of problem I feel comfortable discussing with IRL friends. No one seems to talk about the post-baby body issues - well not in the circles I travel.

I have just got AF back at 5 months after birthing. I tried putting a tampon in, regular size and it was uncomfortable but I got it in but taking it out was terrible I felt a stinging pain. The next day I tried a mini sized tampon and got in no worries but had the same problem when taking it out. The tampon hasn't been full as AF is really light.

I have had some pelvic floor issues due to 3rd degree tearing and working with a physio and this is slowly easing. We also haven't had penetrative sex since the birth.

Has anyone else had an issue with tampons and what did you do? I'm thinking of going to the doctor but I don't know if there is anything that they can do.

[PumpkinZulu]

So your flow isn't too heavy? It sounds to me like the tampon has absorbed all your vagina's natural lubricant and made you very dry, so removing the tampon becomes uncomfortable. Makes me cringe just thinking about it, awful feeling!

[Arcadia]

I agree with PZ. It sounds like a lubricant issue. Could you put some lube in before you take out the tampon?

Otherwise I would be using pads if the flow is light.

Hope this helps.

[krystals]

You sound exactly how I was hun, *big hugs* I know how scary it is as well as just how simply frustrating!!!
I don't know if this makes sense, but does it feel like the 'angle' is wrong?? That's how I felt.

I had some bad tearing too- just remember it's not *just* the surface wound that needs to heal, it's inside as well, which for me, seemed to take a lot longer. As beautiful as giving birth is, your vagina has gone through some trauma and will need some time to heal.

I ended up seeing my GP and I ended up with a referral to a physio who taught me how to strengthen my pelvic floor. Whether it was simply 'time to heal' or whether the exercises helped the tampon/sex problem, I can't say for sure, but it's a lot better now. We didn't even try penetrative sex until 5months, and I think it was 'normal' at about 9months. At almost a year, I'm still tentative though. Tampons are a lot better now, but I definitely feel muscle fatigue (if that makes sense?) after a couple of hours. I definitely still use pads at night, and sometimes during the day when I'm feeling sore.

If you're worried, I'd get it checked out, just as you would any other body part that wasn't quite the way you remembered it! You and your Vagina have a lot more years together, you need to take care of it!!! Hope this helps.

[MrsFabuloso]

I can't use tampons without some discomfort anymore after having kids. My pelvic floor is weak and they sit differently inside me.

[Lisa B]

3LM - not sure what I'd do if I can't use tampons anymore, I"ve never liked the feeling of pads.

Krystals - yes I"m seeing a physio and I will get it checked out

Arcadia & PZ - lubrication could be an issue in the mix and thanks for the suggestion of lube to get the tampon out, I'm sure this will come in handy. I think it isn't just an issue with the flow being light because I could get them out without too much pain on a light day pre-baby.

[Taurean]

I had the same issue when AF returned just before DDs first birthday and I didn't have any tearing or scaring, I was just uncomfy which amazed me given what had come out of there a year earlier (plus we'd already been DTD!)

I ended up using pads for the first couple of cycles and randomly tried tampons during those cycles to check the comfort level. Around my third cycles, things felt normal again. I used those new tampons with the silk outer lining (??) and they did help. I think they were Carefree?