[KO]

I am 17 years old and a virgin, 2 weeks ago I came down with swine flu and also started experiencing strange symptoms down below. I found urinating painful, my vagina was sore and swollen and I also had the sensation of lots of pressure in my vagina, like it was heavy and achy. I went to the doctors and was given antibiotics for a UTI.

It no longer hurts when I wee but the pressure is still there, its worse when I'm walking about or just after I've been to the loo. The only way I can describe it is a heaviness down below. Ever since starting my periods at the age of 14 I've suffered with bad constipation and I'm now experiencing pressure in my bowel area as well. It's so uncomfortable. I've googled my symptoms and I'm petrified that I have some sort of prolapse.

The pressure has eased slightly with me taking cranberry juice though, yet the feeling of everything not being right down there remains. I've tried doing pelvic floor exercises, my mum says that the pressure is just my bladder getting back to normal and that it will take a while to sort itself out. Please help me, I feel so scared and alone. I'm so frightened that I have a vaginal or bowel prolapse! I've already got piles so I know it's not that, I also have very heavy periods which I'm currently on medication for.

[WildChild]

Your mum is probably right. These things can take time to get sorted out so that you feel your self again. Is that cranberry juice 100% juice? You want the kind that is sweetened with fruit juice not refined sugars, to do you the most good. Back off sweets and colas, drink lots of water too.

Walking will help, doing kegel exersizes and abdominal exersize. Increase the healthy fiber in your diet. Constipation is caused by lack of exersize and movement and improper diet. You want lots of things like spinach or romaine lettuce salads and whole grain breads, keep away from stuff with refined flours like donuts, cookies, crisps, chips and such.

[Sarah001]

I'm assuming swine flu gave you lots of coughing and sneezing? They will affect the pelvic floor and you could have a tight pelvic floor what with already having piles and constipation at such a young age. I'd probably say give it a bit longer and see if it rectifies itself and if not go and have a doctor look at your pelvic floor. As for kegels, if tightness is the issue they will make it worse as it will get tighter and tighter and not relax properly.

[KO]

I forgot to add that behind my vaginal opening I have this sort of lumpy bony thing, I think it's my perineum? I've never noticed it sticking out so much before, I can press it and it sort of moves? :S

I'm hoping to see the doctor tomorrow.

[WildChild]

As for kegels, if tightness is the issue they will make it worse as it will get tighter and tighter and not relax properly.

Begging your pardon but...
Bull.
Complete nonsense.

Properly done kegels give you control, not just tightness.

Control means you can voluntarily relax muscles as well as tighten them. Properly toned muscles work better. Period. The pubococcygeus muscles are the floor of your abdomen. They support and hold your bladder, uterus and rectum in place. Women with weak PC muscles will have trouble with incontience - both urinary and fecal, are less sexually responsive, have a tougher time carrying a pregnancy and with childbirth and have longer recovery times. In time they may end up in surgery getting their bladder in a sling. They are more likely to get UTIs and hernias too.

Saying that making these muscles stronger will cause problems is like saying that having a strong back will make it hard for you to bend at the waist.

Good strong pc muscles are extremely important for good health. This is my business. I give educational talks on this subject. Men need to do them too.

[WildChild]

I forgot to add that behind my vaginal opening I have this sort of lumpy bony thing, I think it's my perineum? I've never noticed it sticking out so much before, I can press it and it sort of moves? :S

I'm hoping to see the doctor tomorrow.

Your perinium is between the lower edge of your vagina opening and your anus. If it is bulging you may be constipated and have compacted fecal material creating pressure there. Weak PC muscles also make it harder to have a bowel movement.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Hun, don't google, you'll send your mind crazy with fear and worry as you read things that you think relate...

I had the swine flu for 6 odd weeks, and it made me lethagic mostly and loss of apetite...

If you have piles, constipation, you have to get that under control..WC is correct it's all about what you put into your body, I'd say your body is sensitive and can't tolerate certain things, water, water, salads, vegetables and no more than 200grms of meat, preferably white meat or fish should be your diet, you can't live like that.

Swollen down there...Perhaps being sensitive, your alergic to nylon...speak to your Doctor tomorrow in that regard, tight jeans, nylon panties if your body there can't breathe, coupled with the flu, sweat, then it's possible that is also contributing.

Always explain everything to a Doctor so they can decide what best tests to conduct to ease your mind and solve the problem..

Good luck sweet.

CW

[KO]

The doctor has given me more antibiotics and although I feel a tiny bit better I have the urge to pee all the time and still the heavy achy feeling persists. I've nearly finished my course of antibiotics and my constipation now seems under control, the heavy achy-ness is worse when I need to wee so I'm assuming its something to do with my bladder.