Ok so this is embarrassing to ask or talk about but I'm thinking of seeing my doctor but am scared to talk about it. My son was born 15 months ago, so I feel like I should be totally "healed" by now. Well, after the birth, my pelvic floor area felt really weak for a long time. I had pain when sitting, after standing too long - just felt like the muscles in my pelvic area were all sore/weak. If I was constipated it hurt to "push" too hard to go. I just assumed this was normal after everything your body goes through during a vaginal birth. I had phase 3 tearing, and lots of stitches, but did not tear through to my anus or anything. So for the most part things were feeling better, I still would get sharp pains high in my rectum sometimes if i was really gassy and sat directly on my tailbone.
So, weird thing happened today. After intercourse (no pain during, everything was normal - not anal intercourse or anything, just regular ol' sex, nothing crazy) about 5-10 min afterwards I was laying there and got really sharp pains and cramping. First I thought maybe my period was starting and thought this was odd since it was sharp pains in my lower back and uterus area. This was pretty bad for 30-40 minutes, then felt a lot better. But I noticed it really hurt to sit, and I felt sharp pain and pressure high in my rectum area. I tried to go to the bathroom and it REALLY hurt to try to push. The pain subsided as the day has gone on, but I still feel some slight pain and pressure. I also have hemmorhoids (fun, they come and go) and I've noticed bright red blood. I've had this on and off when they act up, so I don't know if this is related.
Anyhow, I'm not sure if I should be concerned, and I don't know why intercourse would make it worse, it's never happened before. If I would call the doctor would this be a gyno issue or a specialist? I'm so embarrassed. I don't know if this is common - I've done a little research and it seems that the rectal muscles and the trauma of childbirth can go hand in hand. Everything is so close together down there :)
Ok, I worked up the courage and called the OB/GYN office. The receptionist was kind of a snot about it, since I said I didn't know if it was a question for my gyno or my general practitioner. She saw on my file I was just in two weeks ago for my annual exam and said "and you didn't mention this to the doctor then?" no, geez. it wasn't a huge concern two weeks ago and I was embarrassed! But I'm going in on Monday. So wish me luck.
You shouldn't be concerned but you should go to your doctor. He/she can help. Don't ever suffer because you're embarrassed. Call your Gyno, set up an appointment and go from there.
This sounds like an anal fissure. And if it has not healed on its own you likely need a surgery. Don't have time to go into it, but I've had to have this surgery. Google anal fissure and see if you think this might be it. Email me privately about it when I have more time to write. and yes go see your dr.
Oh hon, you need to go talk to your doctor asap! No need to be embarrassed or ashamed about this. Your doctor needs to know now and can help you now....there are lots of things this could be attributed to. Get an appt with the obgyn today and they may refer you to another specialist, but its at least a starting point. Any time blood is involved and you have that kind of pain, don't wait....Hang in there and keep us posted!
Hope you feel better soon.
M
I had pain similar to this and had to have a bi-lateral sphincterotomy.. my internal sphincter stopped communicating with my nervous system so every time I pooped that muscle tore, it hurt after sex, and just because a lot of times.. they did the surgery and I'm like a new woman.. webmd it and see if that's what you might be feeling then call your primary care, they'll refer you to a general surgeon and while they're up there they can remove the hemorrhoids too lol.
I have struggled for YEARS with rectal pain not related to child birth, but has gotten worse since having children. I too was embarrassed to ask my doctor but finally did and she immediately knew what it was...something called proctalgia fugax(sp?). It's basically a muscle spasm way up high in the rectum, sometimes feels worse after sex and occasionally with BM's. She suggested sitting on a tennis ball as sometimes that can relieve the pressure. I also have tried sitting or lying on a heating pad. Could be that what you're experiencing is something as simple as this?? Good luck!
Don't be embarassed. Child birth is no picnic. I had a c-section so I didn't have any trauma in my private area. My best friend has had 3 babies and one of them was 11 1/2 lbs - yes, that's not a typo. She has a condition where the rectum actually prolapsed through her vaginal wall. To give you a picture, she has had to put her fingers into her vagina to push the part of her rectum that is in the wrong place back inside. She went to her OB/GYN and was told she needed surgery, but she hasn't had it done yet. I don't think it's painful for her.
Start with a visit to your OB/GYN. You will probably need to see another doctor. If you're in pain, there's probably something going on. These things are very fix-able. There is no reason why you should be living with this condition - believe me, there are doctors who do nothing but fix women's privates after childbirth. Good luck.
I'm really sorry you are going through this. I had a lot of luck with myofascial release therapy. My pubic symphysis tore 4 wks before my son was born, and we did a couple internal sessions (a little weird to think about, but had to think of as a Pap smear and ultimately was so helpful I didn't even care anymore!) and it was 90% better before I gave birth, luckily. It took a bit more work after the birth, but within 6 months was healed. The fascia is the connective tissue around each of your cells. It can get traumatized or locked down in a spasm and can pull everywhere. I use MFR over my entire body now and I can be releasing a restriction say in my middle back, but can feel it release in the front of my head or down to the front of my quad. The power of the fascia. So yes, it is all connected, especially all those internal muscles. Pregnancy and childbirth are particularly h*** o* your body. If you had muscle and/or fascial imbalances before pregnancy, they could have been exacerbated. If you are in the Denver area, you can email me separately and I can refer you to someone who specializes in women's issues if you'd like. Good luck!
I had pain similar to what you are describing for 6 months after my first son was born. I had 3rd degree tearing - not quite all the way to a 4 like you. I still have 'issues' (yes, this is a TMI subject) once in a while when I wipe down there, although I'm pain free. Won't go into anymore details... My son is TEN.
I would definitely suggest visiting your OB. I don't know what they can do that's non-surgical (possibly nothing), but I know you have waited long enough, and the pain has not gone away, so that should be your next step without a doubt. I ended up having a c-section with my 2nd child, but if I had not the plan was to have them do a little extra 'repair' work down there.
There is most likely nothing about the human body that your doctor finds embarrassing, so you need to conquer your inhibitions and fears and call TODAY. This morning. Now. The kind of pain you are describing, the bright red blood... these are indicators that something significant might be wrong somewhere up in there, something that is not going to heal spontaneously. It isn't going to get better if you try to ignore it. But it most likely is something that can be fixed.
If you have a good, trusting relationship with your gyno, start with her/him. Or call your GP, who would then be able to refer you to whomever you need to see.
Please don't be embarrassed P., your doc has heard WAY weirder questions then the ones you need to ask her/him.
You deserve a life without pain. Please call an make an appt.
Feel better!
:)
If your OB doesn't suggest, go to a proctologist or GI specialist and ask for sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. One of my best friends, (now deceased) had a baby at age 41, kept telling her Dr. about rectal pain and bleeding during pregnancy. When baby was four months old, she couldn't stand the pain, still having problems, went back to OB, (who still wouldn't listen), kept telling her she had hemorrhoids, finally gave her referral to surgeon. One look, not hemorrhoids, but a grapefruit sized rectal tumor, CANCER. It was inoperable, had to have chemo and radiation.
This is not to scare you, but keep checking.
