Wearing Absorption Pads how long?

[Jessica07]

Just a quick question -- Of course I know i'd need some kind of maxipad in the first month to 6 weeks and now have downgraded to a much much thinner regular generic brand but i'm 11 weeks post on and still need something to absorb the yucky stuff -- Not to be too gross and specific but this is kind of what this forum is for, these kinds of questions I imagine .   I  notice it only comes out in small amounts but over the course of a nights sleep or days work it can feel alittle unclean at times.  Its kind of yellowy mucusy type residue that comes off on the pad over time, I notice it seems to accumulate mostly right below the clitoris, not sure if that means anything and it has a slight odor but nothing that would say "Infection" to me. 

Also no pain, but it has been this way going on for a while now..and i'm wondering if its still because the inside of the vagina is still going through the transformation required to shed the old skin -- Any thoughts or experiences similar to this from anyone who recalls being at my stage (just about 3 months now)

[mintra]

Jessica,
I never wear maxi pad at night except when I dilate during sleep using soft dilator (I rarely do now.) but I used underpads so I wouldn't stain my bed. You can buy them at grocery stores anywhere. It coms in different sizes like 17" x 24" or 2' x3'

I'm 7 months post op now and I'm not 100% healed but I hardly use maxi pads any more. I don't remember when I stop wearing it but I'd guess around 4-5 months. I'm not sure I've ever had yellow mucus type like you describe, only stains from healing wound type. Are you sure the gooey stuff is not from the residue of lubricant? I douche quite religiously even at this point especially after dilation. I almost never skip a night.

You are only at 3 months, most are not completely healed until 1 year so I wouldn't worry. Just keep the area sanitized and follow your surgeon's advice. When in doubt, consult your doctor before any complication or infection occur.

[Jessica07]

Hmm I dont use the heavier maxipads anymore the thinner pads from the convenience store im using though.

Dr. McGinn never gave instructions about using a Douche -- but maybe it is excess lubricant like you are saying and healing tissue -- I always wash the dilators and use my finger to wash with water in there when showering but maybe its not enough.

[Jessica07]

Actually found a thread asking the same thing from someone who was at a similar stage to myself here-- there was some similar info also given for others who may have missed this like myself.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,119916.msg945639.html#msg945639

[mintra]

I really don't know how to advice you on douching because each surgeon has his/her own after care procedure for the patients but I can tell you what my routine is per my surgeon's order. First 3 months, I dilate 3 times a day each session is 2 hours. Then I douche every night using saline solution 500cc mixed with 25cc hydrogen peroxide and 25cc betadine solution.

After 3 months, I'm supposed to douche 3-4 times a week using the same amount of the solution but I still douche everyday out of fear of infection. However, I do it by alternate it with lesser amount (100 ml) every other day. Maybe I do too much I don't know, but I don't have any discharge other that shedding dead skin that looks like dandruff and my vagina don't smell so I'm happy.

I'd rather ask Dr. McGinn what she thinks or maybe there are McGinn girls could chime in and give you better advice.

[babz]

Just to let you know I am 10 months post op & I have still have a small amount of discharge nothing to worry about Stay calm and carry on.

Best Regards

Babz

[mm]

This leakage maybe part of having a vagina, many cis women have have enough leakage to need a mini pad most of the time.  Would be interesting to hear other post-op girl's experiences/

[Tristan]

I also have the leakage issue from time to time.

[Jessica07]

Thanks for everyone's comments ..very helpful! I would def like into some kind of vaginal flushing method that does not clean away to much as to dry me out but would help with the smell after dilating/intercourse for later on so will check into it

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

My ex always worn a panty liner.

[Icephoenyx]

Hi Jessica,

It's so funny that you found my old post. Just an update, I'm now 10 months post and I'm STILL needing full coverage pads, so you have nothing to worry about. I actually found that douching did not help that much, it is getting better though, hang in there!

[Ms Bev]

Hi Jessica....I'm only 4 weeks, but I have exactly the same kind, color discharge.  Far as I know, no worries.  It'll stop sooner or later.  I don't need the bed pads, and use only the thin ultra long panty liners, but not when I sleep.

[Annah]

i dont know if this will help

But its been well over a year for me and for almost 10 months I had to wear pads. I was a little freaked but my doctor said that can happen. I learned the fast way that wing tips were freakin annoying if you're in a hurry.

Panty liners now every other day or so. It seems I still wear a regular pad whenever I dilate/sex because it likes to aggravate discharge.

One girl I knew used tampons. I cringed. I couldn't imagine how painful that would be...and dangerous. Those things absorb everything in you...and her doc would have probably freaked out if he found out.

I used to douche after sex too because I couldn't stand the "morning after" smell. Yeah, my doctor sorta laid into me about that one too. Be careful with the douches and talk to your doctor about which ones would work for you

[Sandy]

I wore pantiliners for 6-8 months following surgery.  Dr McGinn said as long as it wasn't bright red or smelled of infection, then it would be fine.  Occasionally I would bleed following dilation, but not severely or for very long.

I tried a tampon, once.  Just once.  The damn thing grabbed onto me so hard when I tried to extract it that I thought I pulled my eyeballs out.  Never again.

And I asked specifically about douching and she had one word, *don't*.  She felt it wasn't necessary in order to help healing.

Though Dr Sran did tell my step daughter to douche once per day for the first three weeks following surgery using a 10-1 water and betadine solution.  So each Dr may have different recomendations.

-Sandy