J-Pouch and the vagina

I have had my pouch for about 15 years and have never felt it anywhere in the vacinity of my vagina... I feel it in my abdomen, but not in the vagina... Hope this helps!

It shouldn't be that way, not really. You might have times when you are aware of it being there during a particularly gassy period or if you have not emptied for a long time but you should not be feeling your pouch against your vagina constantly.
Pressure from you pouch could mean a lot of things, swelling, fluid build up weak peritenium...you may want to have an ultrasound done if it continues but you can also try doing your Kiegel exercises to see if that improves things a bit for you.
Sometimes muscle weakness can be the cause of a lot of problems and by strengthening them you will find some relief (and more pleasure).
Sharon

Hi fq,
Everyone's anatomy is a bit different, for any number of reasons (height, weight, body type, etc.), but I do find it a bit strange that you would constantly feel your pouch that close to your vagina.

The reason I say this, is that I have had 2 post-pouch c-sections. I have talked to the doctor's through each one, being curious as to how everything looked in there after my pouch surgery and the passage of time (much to the dismay of my husband).

During my 2nd one, the doctor said that there was scar tissue and adhesions (which is not surprising). She said (in her words) that my "bowel was adhered to the back of my uterus." This made sense, as I had a ton of back pain during the end of my second pregnancy. The adhesions were pulling as the baby grew, making my life miserable.

I could be entirely wrong, and it wouldn't be the first time, but I am led to believe through my experiences, that your pouch may be located a bit higher than your vagina. You would need to ask your doctor for verification. This could be scsr tissue, or adhesions establishing themselves, but it may be closer to your uterus than your vagina. . .

Just a thought. I hope you are adjusting well and things have leveled out for you.

Best,

Colleen

hi all...

ok i am having what i think are pelvic floor issues. sometimes i think it is the fistula acting up, but most of the time it feels as if the pelvic floor / vagina is slightly shifting. this happens usually after a bowel movement or after moving around a lot. it does feel like an air bubble escaping out of the vagina (which could mean the fistula), but a lot of times, it feels like the uterus or vagina (no idea which?) are shifting or not secure??? since j-pouch is such deep pelvic surgery, i am sure things may have moved around in there, and maybe my pelvic floor is just really weak?? maybe things are still healing down there (it's been only 4 months since my j-pouch)???

1 - Am I the only female j-poucher out there with these symptoms?
2 - What kind of physical therapy can I do to improve tone or whatever? If someone can please explain it to me or PM me, I would greatly appreciate it!!


i never had these issues with the ostomy, so i am kinda concerned.

thanks.

Yes.
FQ...it all moves, shifts, swells and weakens down there post op...they tend to tell us to do kiegels, pelvic lifts, mild squats (you squat down til your plams touch the floor and then tighten everything down there)...but...and here is the big but...you may want to wait a while before doing anything 'violent' or too strenuous until you are healed more..the kiegels are the only things that are suggested for the first year..your body is still healing and you shouldn't overdo it...the best I have found are the kiegels (or pilates) using a ball held between the legs/knees, pelvic lifts, tightening movements, peeing then stopping in mid-stream for 5 seconds, standing with one leg up on the edge of the tub (if you can! if not on a low stool) and squat down a bit with your butt, tighten and hold.
My favorites is to just tighten the whole area including the abs while climbing the stairs on my toes...seems to work 2xs faster and better.
If you want any more just PM me...I have dozens...
In my case, I didn't have my pouch put down there but the whole thing removed and sewn shut so there is nothing down there to hold things in place.
Sharon

fq I had the symptoms of air or gas passing through the vagina (no feces). I told this to the surgeon at the time and I asked him if this could be a fistula. He said that feces would be emptying out, too. Well, I had it for a couple of months (especially if the j pouch was full and at night while laying down). I believe I had a small hole but that it has healed on its own. I did not do any physical activity while healing. I am 5 months out now.
I hope this helps.
Roberta

thank you very much! i am hoping it will heal on its own as my doctor thinks it can. also appreciate the exercise tips, which i will try once i'm healed more.

Roberta, did you do anything to help with the healing, or it just occurred naturally / with time?
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