I can see my urethra, can you?

Ummm, this is weird and probaby TMI but where else to share this?
I am almost 7 weeks TAH/BSO and things were feeling a little funky down there. So, I had a look and as I parted the ways, I could see my urethra and my vaginal walls are just sort of...um..filling the gap.
Is this normal?
Also, I have been having a bit urinary incontinence upon sneezing.

I'm not sure what you are asking. can you be more specific? I can feel my urethal opening. It is not that easy for me to see, b/c mine seems to be in the vagina, but it is not. the doc told me that is a common mistake women make, it is right beforer the opening of the vaginal. sort of looks like it is in it to me ,though. but doc says no. I had some surgery last April, a sling sort of surgery. So far I think I'm ok. I have a hard time urinating at times. I have to sit and wait . The doc said that was the result of the surgery, and I would have to learn to live with it.
vali

If you know what youre looking at all women could locate the urethra---its not uncommon. I'm assuming youre referring to the urethra hole where urine passes and not a urethrocele (prolapse of the urethra into the vagina)?

Regarding urine leakage when sneezing--this is referred to as stress incontinence. When stress is put on the urethra the urethra should stay closed; with stress incontinence the urethra isnt able to stay closed thus allowing urine to pass. Sometimes, if caught early SI can be helped with pelvic floor exercises (Kegels). Otherwise, about the only way to help SI is with a urethal sling procedure.

Good luck
diana

My urethra is very visible and easy to find.
Sherry

It's perfectly normal to be able to see your urethral opening (with a mirror and some bending ). In fact, if we could not, how would ladies be able to self-catheterize if they need to? Here's a link to instructions on self-catheterization which show a drawing of where the urethral opening is:

http://www.urologyassociates.net/female_cath.htm

If you have any concerns that there is something wrong, do ask your DR to have a look.

I hope this helps.
s,
-Linda

I was hoping for pictures. If I get in the position and use a mirror, I can see it, but to me it still appears to be in the vaginal orifice. The doc said it is not, it is just before the opening to the vagina. If you are cathing someone else, it is not that hard find, although, some women ar like me and it almost seems like the opening is in the vagina. (I have been told that is due to changes related to childbirth) If I had to cath myself, I'd probably do it by feel. I can feel it very essily.
When I told my doc that I thought it was in my vagina, he said that is not all that uncommon to hear that. The reason is, the book pictures don't always show the labia major or mnior, they just show the vagianl opening, the anus, the uretha. It can be confusing at times.
I saw a comedy show the other day with whoppi Goldberg. She said men can see their sex organs easily, but for women, we have to assume that position and get a mirror and flashlight. Her point, women are not usually as familar with their outside sex organs as mean are. Men hold their penis to urniate, women often have been told not to touch their sex organs unless they are cleaning them or putting medicine on them. I thought it was a thought provoking little skit.

thank goodness, now i don't feel like such a dumdum!

I can't see mine without a mirror and parting of the ways either. To me it looks like it is inside too. Some woman are just built that way. My step-mom is a RN and says that on some women it can be pretty hard to find.

yes ci1966
exactly.
vali

Hi how you. I know I am replying to an old email but I was wondering about your experience because I had a THA nearly four years ago and everything seemed to drop. My Urethra sticks out a bit and my bladder only seems to be held up by the back of my vagina. I hate it but have found it very difficult to be takn seriously by medical people. They are very dismissive. It is very uncomfortable as I feel like everything is falling out although it isn't. It all just feels heavy. Yeuch! Have you found any solution?

Julietp