3 1/2 Months Post Hysterectomy - Burning Inside Vagina and Is There Something In There?? Help!

My hysterectomy (robotic laparoscopic) was December 17th. (Took everything but left the ovaries). At about the three week mark, I had some bleeding that my doctor determined was a small clot passing through the sutures. Other than that, my recovery has been very smooth and unremarkable. Post-op check at 8 weeks and was given the all-clear.

About a week ago, I started having some burning and stinging sensations inside my vagina. Inside the vaginal canal and up where I imagine my cervix used to be. These sensations are not necessarily associated with when I urinate - I will have them just randomly throughout the day, etc.

I also have the feeling as if "something" is up inside my vagina again. This is a similar feeling that I had at my 3 week post-op point, when I had the small clot and bleeding. Almost feels like a dry tampon is inside. It's not painful, just uncomfortable..and always there.

I called my doctor today and the nurse was zero help, aside from stating I should come in for an exam. Then she proceeded to schedule me for TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW.

Of course I'm more stressed now than before I called. Is this a possible UTI? Granulation of the tissues and that's what I'm feeling?

The nurse said "call back if it gets worse and we'll try to get you in sooner". I should call back and insist on this, right?

I'm trying not to stress out and panic....but this is me stressing and panicking. I mean, it can't be good to have a UTI go untreated for literally weeks, right? (If that's what this is?)

And of course there's the old worry of the vaginal cuff tear!!

Help me out, sisters!!

Deep breaths. Burning is not a sign of a vaginal cuff tear, nor is the phantom tampon feeling. The phantom tampon feeling has been reported by quite a few women here, and it's due to some inflammation which leads to swelling. It does sound like you've got something going on in there, but "what" would need a diagnosis. Granulation is more about lingering discharge than burning or swelling so I wouldn't suspect that.

Can't say for certain whether it's a UTI, but you stated that the burning seems to be more cuff related than when you urinate. It's possible that you may be feeling the start of a vaginal infection, so keep an eye on any discharge. At this point, it doesn't sound like an emergency, but like you I'm not receptive of having an appointment two weeks out, either. You could always make an appointment with your General Practitioner instead or head to a clinic to get some tests done since you've been released by your gyn-surgeon (ie. you're not restricted to their services any more). Or, if you'd rather see your gyn, by all means call back and simply state your concern that if it's an infection of some sort, it's in your best interest to get it diagnosed sooner rather than two weeks from now. Be empowered, girl!

Let us know (1) whether you can get in sooner at any doc's office and (2) what the results are.

Hi

I agree - since you’re concerned about your health, and rightfully so, I wouldn’t wait two weeks to be seen. If you do need some type of treatment, the sooner you start, the better.

Sometimes we have to be our own health advocate, so please insist on getting an appointment - or seek an alternative medical professional, as suggested by Cussette.

Good luck

you should probably be checked sooner than two weeks for a UTI, BV or yeast infection. i would just go to the GP if your surgeon cant see you for two weeks.