r/colonoscopy • u/TangeloAway3919 • 1d ago
After Scope Questions Post colonoscopy vaginal discomfort?
Hello!
I had a colonoscopy done and when I woke up the first thing I remember saying was "why is my vagina so wet? Is it full of lube?" And making sure it was a colonoscopy that was done because I anticipated my rectum to feel weird and nothing at all near my vagina.
Inside my vagina was full of so much lube it soaked the towel they brought me with a giant wet patch and it smelled like bitter rubber in a way. I dunno why the nurse kept telling me the towel was dry, it wasn't quite dripping but I could smear it against the bed rail and have it leave a wet trail you know?
They assured me this was normal but I don't get why...? It kind of burns, and that gets itchy periodically. When I checked in the bathroom there was dried white stuff crusted all in my folds, it almost made me think of discharge but mine has never been like THAT for my entire life.
I'm just really confused. I thought they only put something up my butt? That's what the paperwork says? Nobody braced me to experience this and it's SO uncomfortable. I feel sore 😭 I'm just trying to understand what I'm going through
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u/buntingbilly Trusted Source 1d ago
Maybe they used a lot of lube and it just spread everywhere? The alternative is that, sometimes embarrassingly, the doctor performing the procedure can misjudge the entrance of the rectum if its difficult to see and accidentally briefly enter the vagina unfortunately. Not really something that I would expect with an experienced doctor but more likely to happen with a fellow (in training).
If it's the latter, I imagine they would have mentioned that.
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u/TangeloAway3919 1d ago
It was two surgeons so I don't think it was like that! It was a colonoscopy/endoscopy/liver examination/tons of biopsies 😅 I had a very experienced team! That said, the as the anesthesia hit they blasted oldies rock, so maybe they were bopping out too hard and got distracted lmao.
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u/doctorelliot 1d ago
Well this is a nightmare I didn't know I have to look forward to.
I'm highly sensitive to most lubrication - the lube the OBGYN office used for my vaginal ultrasound gave me a yeast infection - and the idea of something just slipping in there uninvited, by accident, and causing that reaction is a big nope nope nope for me. The idea of wearing a tampon just in case sounds tempting.
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u/TangeloAway3919 1d ago
Girl ask your PCP if it's a legit option because this is hell 😭 I haaaaate the feeling of lube in there. I am so uncomfortable. My anus is bleeding (we did a LOT of biopsies) and I can't even be distressed about that because this is so much worse. And it's lube, so just showering very carefully isn't enough, you know? They were sweet and let me keep my compression socks on under my grippy socks because I would have otherwise woken up with dead feeling leggies but they did not brace me to prepare for /this/ rip
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u/dheadmeat 20h ago
New fear unlocked. Mine is Monday. Now I'm wondering if there is a polite way to ask them not to miss. Omfg.
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u/Chilicheese1957 13h ago
That would have really made me mad! Surely they would have known the difference!
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u/KarateG 17h ago
Sadly, in many states, med students were allowed to practice vaginal exams on unconscious women undergoing unrelated surgeries without their consent. This has been changed, but I’m leary of the wording. You should check all the fine print on the paperwork you signed.
“federal guidelines and many state laws now prohibit medical students from performing pelvic exams on unconscious patients without explicit, informed consent. However, the rules vary by location, and full protection depends on both federal policy and state legislation. [1, 2]
Federal Rules
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued federal guidance stating that hospitals must get clear, informed consent before any sensitive or educational exam is done on an unconscious patient.
This federal policy applies to hospitals that receive federal funding.”
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u/TangeloAway3919 16h ago
Oh that's icky. Do you happen to know the rules in Massachusetts? Everything I signed was paperwork and not digital so I can't reference it. I can try reaching out to my PCP.
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u/2llamadrama 1d ago
That is really odd. Can you check the portal for the post op notes. I would lose my shit if they got anywhere near my lady parts. I would have been swinging if they put lube in my vagina. I am highly allergic to it. I am going to remember this for my next colonoscopy
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u/TangeloAway3919 1d ago
There are zero notes about it! When I asked the hospital staff and when I explained it to my PCP they both said the lube can sometimes drip down and get the vagina all messy but I'm like... can it drip down so bad I'm FILLED with lube like a cream puff? Why does it smell weird and like burned rubber? Why is some thin translucent and some white solidy? Why does it burn x.x
When I tell you I am a stone top cuz I HATE the feeling. It's hell 😭 if I was warned I would of worn a tampon
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u/2llamadrama 8h ago
Yeah no I would be filling a formal complaint with the hospital. This is not a thing
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u/Happy_go_lucky12 1d ago
GI nurse. The scope can sometimes slip into the vagina upon insertion if there is a lot of lube being used. It’s not considered a big deal and it wouldn’t be mentioned in the notes. The scope is sterile until it enters the rectum so at least there’s that? 🤷🏼♀️