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Has anyone had to use vaginal dilatators?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Bobsey
Bobsey

Had my 6 week post op yesterday after having hysterectomy and rectocoele repair. My consultant said everything is healing ok and even though he could still feel some stitches and the cystocoele is there he was happy with the posterior repair. Unfortunately because the posterior repair was quite significant my vaginal canal is now very narrow and I have to go and see someone to learn how to use dilators. If I don’t do this then consultant said I will find sex very painful and most likely won’t ever want it again! Has any one else had to use dilators? I must admit I’m quite nervous at the thought of it all! I have been advised to also have another month off work due to the pain I’m still having - it will be 10 weeks in total before I can go back. Does this sound right?

Any info would be greatly appreciated x

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Fiona1311
    Fiona1311 Bobsey

    Posted

    I was given dilators when I sas 17 due to a syndrome I have which means that my vagina is considerably smaller than "normal". Unfortunately, due to a combo of being very young, trying to make sense of the diagnosis I had been given and lack of medical support, I only used the dilators a few times. I became extremely distressed as I wasn't coping well with the whole situation. Intercourse was uncomfortable at times, but I was told that due to eventually being in a long term relationship, my boyfriend replaced dilators. They were never sore to use as you control the pressure, but it was the emotional and mental side to it all I found hard to cope with. I've never used them after any of the ops. I've just given myself plenty of time to heal before attempting intercourse (with ample lubrication) I'm not sure if this info is of any help.

    • Bobsey
      Bobsey Fiona1311

      Posted

      Hi Fiona1311

      Thank you for replying. Like you I feel it’s more the physiological side of it all.

      Fortunately I have a very understanding hubby as our sex life hadnt been the best a few months previous to the op as it was very painful. This was one of the main reasons I had the op hoping that it would relieve the symptoms. 

      I will see what happens when I have my appt and give myself time to heal as well.

      Thanks again

  • margaret_46793
    margaret_46793 Bobsey

    Posted

    I had same op last Oct 2017 , and haven’t had any support over issues I’ve had since op , mainly to do with intercourse , we just couldn’t do it as pain was horrible scar tissue didn’t help , waiting to see consultant to see what they can do , been a really challenging year thankgod I have a understanding husband so take all the advice you can get ! 
    • Bobsey
      Bobsey margaret_46793

      Posted

      Hi Margaret

      Im sorry to hear that you haven’t had any real support and I hope your consultant helps you. I think the main problem with these operations is that you are not really given any real information on what to expect after the procedure. I have found this forum a god send as it’s so helpful to know that your not the only one.

      Good luck

  • Moonwitch1
    Moonwitch1 Bobsey

    Posted

    I had a rectocele repair November 2014,had a cystocele too that they left alone. Had a pretty hard recovery,bladder/kidney  infection 4 weeks po. After that followed  a year of ill health,tried to resume intercourse but it was just so painful.Went to see a pelvic floor physio,she said my muscle tone was good but recommended a kegel machine (dilators). That made me worse. Finally after over 3 years po am getting back to a happy sex life again. Then again I ain't no young bird anymore but I missed that intimacy with my fab hub so much. Patience is the key here xx

    • Bobsey
      Bobsey Moonwitch1

      Posted

      Hi Moonwitch

      Thanks for your reply. Can I ask why the dilators made it worse? I know I really need to learn to be more patient! 

    • Moonwitch1
      Moonwitch1 Bobsey

      Posted

      I've no idea why it made things worse. I had to use mine vaginally and anally too. Made the muscles in my rectum weaker than they were before and was losing what little control I had over my bowels. Went back to see the physio and she told me to discontinue using it and go back to the old fashioned way of doing pelvic floor exercises. 

    • Weesue
      Weesue Moonwitch1

      Posted

      omg i hope i dont have to wait 3 years to feel okay with sex had it last night first time he has been able to get all the way in but omg was painful to start with then ok and now im in pain today been 13 weeks today since my a@p repairs
  • Weesue
    Weesue Bobsey

    Posted

     had same surgery ant and post but with removal of the coil to and im 10 or more weeks into recovery i think it takes longer than they say to heal  more so that i wouldnt go back to work to early or could happen again , 
  • karen61515
    karen61515 Bobsey

    Posted

    Hi ive had a posterior and anterior repair done 5 months ago now. Still getting problems after surgery. Mainly bowel problems that i never had before!! After trying for5 months to see my surgeon, finally saw him and hes just said my vagina walls are very narrow and it will be very painful for sex, just try and relax was his advice!!!! And hes referring me onto a colectorol surgeon for my bowels!!! What kind of aftercare is that!! So disappoint ed.
    • Bobsey
      Bobsey karen61515

      Posted

      Hi Karen 

      Sorry to hear that you are still having problems.

      Are you in the uk? Can you ask your gp to refer you to a gynae nurse practitioner?

      I am still waiting for an appt to see one to use dilators. I did attempt sex the other day but it was to painful so might try again in a couple of weeks. I’m having more problems with my bladder than my bowels as they didn’t do my cystocoele. I still have to take movicol everyday for my bowels. I tried stopping it but got really constipated and it was horrendous.

      Really hope you get sorted soon x

  • Weesue
    Weesue Bobsey

    Posted

    im having problems with sex and still bowel movements its sore having sex so waiting to see if gets better think im may be small there now why dont they go into bigger details with after op care very disappointed just now
    • Bobsey
      Bobsey Weesue

      Posted

      Hi weesue

      I tried for the second time to have sex and it wasn’t as painful as the first time but saying that not managed to get full penetration yet as i think I’m to narrow to go all the way in ( sorry for sounding crude ) think it’s going to take some time and we are going to have to take things really slowly . Im 11 weeks post op now and I totally agree that we should of all been given more info both pre op and post op. Nobody warns you just how bad this op can be. Thank god for this forum it’s been a life saver for me knowing that there are other ladies in the same position. I’ve got that feeling in my bottom again which I had for a few weeks after the op of feeling like there is a rod up there so I’m hoping it’s just my muscles tensing up and not because I’ve had sex. I just want to feel normal again and I’m quite impatient but I do feel better than I did a few weeks ago. It’s just more uncomfortable now where as a week ago I would say I was still in pain so I’m guessing the stitches are healing. I still get that falling out feeling every now and again and especially if I do to much and I’ve not gone back to work yet. 

      Did you ever get that feeling and have you managed to go back to work yet?

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