Pelvic Floor Issues? Anyone?

I had my hysterectomy in March 06. I feel OK, some hormonal issues...nothing too bad. But I have cramping still and PAINFUL intercourse. My Dr. thinks I have a "weak pelvic floor" and says I should go to physical therapy. Can anyone relate? I have not decided if I want to do this or not. Also I have endo so it COULD be new adhesions.

I have had similar problems. I didn't have any endometroisis. Replens has helped somewhat.The physical therapy might be a good idea, I would try it. Some yoga stretches have helped me.Please let me know how you are doing & what has helped. I have also had bladder problems, inflamation, urinate frequently etc. Might be related?

If it IS pelvic floor issues, you probably could skip therapy expenses and learn kegal exercises, if you have difficulty doing them on your own, you can purchase a kiegel exerciser in some medical catalogs but I don't have info on them, I do kiegal exercises and it also is felt in my back, hopefully strenghtening them too. Hope it helps you.

I've never heard of pelvic floor issues causing pain during sex. How about getting a second opinion?

I have a very weak pelvic floor. I have had 3 vaginal surgeries in 18 months. This is my third time having physical therapy post-op because every time I have surgery I lose the strength I have gained at PT. The first time I went was to build up pelvic floor strength in preperation for the hysterectomy and prolapse repair. I was very sceptical and really didn't follow what I was told to do. It seemed ridiculous to me to have a physical therapist insert her finger in my vagina and have me perform a series of Kegels while she counted out a cadence. The second time around I was much more serious because I knew how serious my prolapses were and didn't want a recurrence. Unfortunately my body rejected the suture material and I started losing stitches at about 2 weeks post-op and the repair failed. I restarted PT again 10 weeks after the next prolapse surgery and I am working very hard at building vaginal strength.
Pelvic Floor Therapy is not just Kegels. I have been taught different types of Kegels. The longer held Kegels build endurance the shorter ones build strength. There are also exercises done with your legs and hips that help to release tension in the pelvic floor and tone it. When I describe my therapy sessions to others they all get a good chuckle out of it because even I admit it is very strange. My therapist is wonderful and we have laughed hysterically at some of the techniques she has used to help me. If you do give therapy a try ask your therapist about using EMG and try "the Rose" it is an excellent visual tool to help you learn to control your pelvic floor muscles while doing a Kegel. You will laugh uncontrollably when you try to get the rose to close into a bud!! Michelle

Thank you!!!!

candyapplelady: Do/Did you have painful intercourse? That's my biggest problem right now. Thank you very much for the insight....I'm going to look into PT.

Thanks again everyone!

Hi kcbored
Just wanting to send a hug really. You have some good input from the other ladies here. I would second the idea on getting another opinion on this and I'm glad to hear you are wanting to look into the PT. I think that is very wise. (((Michelle's))) input is very helpful. It's hard to imagine what they might do or how and if it would be helpful.
I have a link with very good information on how to correctly do the Kegal exercises , just in case you or someone else could use the information.
I hope you will figure this out and find relief soon.
's, Rita

Yes, I have pain during intercourse. Not to be too gross but it feels'sore', particularly at the beginning , in spite of lube & replens and now oral estrogen.I didn't have any repair workthough.Are you on any hormone replacement? I have read that the cuff area can be 'tender for months'.You really need to address this issue with your Dr., before it becomes even more of a constant problem, it could wreck havoc with your DH and you. Please let me know how you are doing. I have made a appointment with a different Dr. to address this, but of couse it takes 6 weeks to get in.

kcbored, yes, I do have painful intercourse. Right now I have a few issues going on, I have redundant vaginal tissue on the anterior vaginal wall about the size of a ping pong ball that is prolapsing and I am now having problems with mesh erosion at the posterior repair. Thankfully my Gyn is great and prescribed Lidocaine ointment that I apply vaginally to the really painful areas about an hour before sex. Of course now there is no spontaneity with DH but there would be no sex without Lidocaine it's just too painful.
My Physical therapist also performs myofascial relaxation to the pelvic floor. I had a lot of perineal tension after the first repair and she helped to make me more comfortable. She inserts a finger into the vagina and puts a small amount of pressure on the tense area and holds it there. Once the tension begins to dissipate it sort of feels like butter melting. The procedure is very strange but once you understand it and really focus you can feel the release of tension. Right now I am unable to have the procedure done because I have an open area where the mesh is eroding and I am waiting to have it surgically excised so I cannot have any internal interventions.
I hope you do give PT a try, it can't hurt and can only help. My philosophy is that I am too young to give up an active sex life, it's part of a normal, healthy lifestyle. I am doing whatever it takes to fix this vagina and pelvic floor so I can enjoy what life has to offer and so should you.
Michelle

It's nice to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. At 10 weeks post op (May 06) I complained of vaginal wall pain during intercourse. My doctor said the pain was a result of being tense, that I was causing the pain because I feared intercourse would hurt. SHE suggested I have a glass of wine before bed to relax.

Fast forward to five months post op. The pain has become unbearable. Even though dryness was not an issue we used K-Y Jelly just in case, and rather than help it actually burned! After last night's experience I've decided to seek a second and third opinion. Monday can't get here soon enough! I'm going to make appts with a male GYN and a female Naturopathic Doctor.

Note: I DID think intercourse might hurt, but I thought it would hurt deep @ the vaginal cuff area, not the vaginal wall area!