7 months post op- still painful sex

I had a total hysterectomy on May 13, 2004 due to endometriosis. In the last couple of months sex has become pretty painful. I am totally confused on this. If everything has been taken out what can be in there to be painful. Any suggestions? Is there anything else that can happen in there once you've had a hysterectomy? I know I probably sound crazy but I'm am totally confused at this point. Help please!

Hi Stacy
I had my TAH May 7th. I have painful sex due to a rectocele. My dr. doesn't think it is big, but it sure makes things difficult. He didn't check me while exserting pressure, so I feel it may be bigger than he thinks. It hurts me mostly on the right side of my V.
If they didn't get all of the endo. I think it can continue to grow and cause problems.Has your dr. checked out this possibility?Did they remove your ovaries? If not, they can cause problems during sex too if something is wrong with them.

I hope you feel better soon and find a answer.
Peggy

Hi Stacy,

I will be 7 months PO on Jan 18. I had a lavh/bso on May 18 2004. WHile the first few months after my hyst sex was not painful I had/still have no libido. I think we have maybe had sex about 8 times since my hyst.

Then the last few times it was painful again. I found out that I have rectocele, cystocele, enterocele, urethacele, and avaginal cault prolapse.

My new GYN as well as a URO and Gastro Dr all said these things can cause painful Sex.

With me, I had extreme pressure (it did not hurt, but was uncormfortable) in my rectum are. The way I described it to my Drs were (if you ever had a baby you would know) when the baby gets right there, ready to be born, it puts terrible pressue as the head comes through. That was what it felt like during sex. I found out that was my rectocele problem.

THen I would have the same pelvic pain I had with sex that I had before my hyst. This is because of my cysto and vaginal prolapse.

I also know that if you had endo, that if there was any, even a very little bit left behind and you are taking estrogen, then the endo feeds off that and can come back,(They think mine may have come back) and there is something called ovarian reminent syndrome, where if all of the overy wa snot removed, then that coudl cause pain as well.

Please see your Dr and talk with him. I honestly do not think you should be having painful sex now, unless there was something else going on. Keep changing Drs till you find one who will listen.

I do hpoe you find answers soon.

It's been nearly 4 years since my LAVH (still have ovaries). I now think that some of the lingering pain was tender muscle tissue in the groin area, which kept getting re-injured when we had sex.

Also the top of the vagina was tender for a long time, not only from the surgery but also probably due to lack of hormones.

Even though I still have my ovaries, they were close to being "done" anyway, because about a year after surgery I started hot flashes for real! I tried non HRT remedies, but the lack of lubrication was the last straw, so about 6 months ago I went on EstraTest (at half the normal dosage, but still just enough to control the symptoms).

That, in addition to finally getting some thyroid medication, seems to have done the trick for both energy and libido, but the vaginal dryness was still causing increasing irritation and pain.

So, now I take a Vagifem tablet twice a week, and VIOLA! I'm baaaaack.......

Did doctor check for adhesions?

I had a TVH two years ago. I have experienced painful sex or very uncomfortable sex especially on the right side. Went to dr. It seems that I have developed an adhesion as a result of the surgery. He wants to go in and reopen adhesion and let reheal. My concern is that if I am prone to develop adhesions what is to prevent another adhesion from developing on the same site? Has anyone had a similar experience or corrective surgery to fix. When I asked the doctor he said he could not honestly answer. He said he only had one other case like this and it was long ago. I had the surgery due my bladder prolapsing so I have never had problems before. Kind of depressing. Wince at thought of sex. It hurts. Any help appreciated. Thanks Kakes

Hi - I know just what you mean! I had my hyst, both ovaries removed, 2 years ago because of adeno and severe endo. It took me a long time to feel good enough to even attempt sex, took a long time for sex to feel good, and then as soon as I felt like a woman agan, things started going back downhill. I have a crampy, bloated feeling after sex sometimes and it has become more painful lately. I also have abdominal pain that kind of flares up and then eases off, but it's pretty much there every day. One doc told me it was a problem with my bladder, but another doc thinks it's adhesions or a return of endo. (First doc's nurse told me "You can't be having cramps, you don't have any female organs left!" No kidding!)Anyway, my appt is in 3 weeks and I'm really nervous. I hope whatever it is can be treated. At the same time, it's kind of a relief...I was half-afraid that the pain was just part of having a hyst and that I just had to get used to it. I'm kind of glad to know something is wrong because maybe my doc can fix it. At least I hope he can!!!
J.

Thanks for replying to post I really appreciated the feedback. When you have the doctors appointment, let me know. If it adhesions, I would be interested in what his ideas on remedying the situation.
I will be making another doctors appointment for a second opinion on the handling of my adhesions. Not is such a hurry to jump on table again - Good luch and keep me posted - Kakes

Hi - just wanted to post a quick update. It's kind of embarassing really, but here goes...Well, I found out that I've had bacterial vaginitis for a good long while now and just didn't know it...My symptoms were never very bad and they just kind of came and went, so I assumed they were related to hormone issues. Then I started having this abdominal pain and I assumed it was related to my hyst. Well, I was reading about abdominal pain on the internet, trying to figure out what my problem might be before my doc appointment, and I saw a list of symptoms for the vaginitis thing...I called my family doc right away, he put me on anitbiotics, and I feel sooooo much better! It ends up that the infection I had had spread to my pelvis and was causing pain...Family doc still thinks I might have adhesions, but they probably aren't too bad right now. I will still see my gyn to make sure, but at the moment I feel so much better. I am just crossing my fingers at this point hoping that I am in fact better and that the pain won't come back. Haven't had sex yet, so I don't know for a fact that I'm completely better, but I'm hopeful!!! Wish me luck -
J.