Nerve damage after Bartholin's gland removal

[rachyllob]

Hi, I too am struggling with this whole bartholin gland issue.  I am so sorry to hear about all of your problems but I am grateful to read your stories and advice.  I cannot believe we are not told of the horrors of bartholin gland removal surgery and what to expect to the degree we should.  I had removal of an avocado sized bartholin gland cyst as well as the gland 7 weeks ago, after a marsupilization and two other catheter attempts (both of which got infected and did not work). I am not in pain finally anymore but it was the most painful experience I have ever been through (even after having had 4 children). I was told that the surgery ended up being major because of the size of the cyst and the blood loss.  I was in agony and extremely week for 10 days after and also developed a hematoma and an infection. I now have some discomfort and I have had two periods so far which have been incredibly painful with so much pressure bearing down. My obgyn wants me to have an endometrial biopsy next week which I am nervous about and also wants to cry about when I think of these bills mounting up (even after insurance has paid a portion). My biggest issue that I WOULD LOVE advice on or any similar stories - positive or negative - is about intercourse after bartholin gland removal. My doctor asked me to try to have sex before my appt next week, which will be 8 weeks post op. We tried today and I was nervous and the pain as I still get random shooting pains at times, but felt ready. I had plenty of natural lubrication but as soon as he entered me, I felt nothing.. as in zero sensation. I thought he hadn't put it in all the way as I couldn't feel anything at all. I got very emotional - part relief that it wasn't painful but also so upset about having no feeling at all. I have been experiencing numbness on one side of my labia but I didn't realize I had no feeling inside as well. I feel so upset about it. I know that life could be a lot worse but I feel this is huge for my husband and I. At the last appt the doc told me that she thought she had cut through some nerves and that's why I had numbness on one side. She said the feeling may never come back. She doesn't know about today obviously yet and so I don't know what she will say. Has anyone else experienced this and has the feeling returned at some point? Many thanks for reading.

[Chelleeee44]

I’ve had a Bartholin gland removal 4 years ago. Completely numb on one side and it’s spreading to the other. Mine and my husband’s sex life is nonexistent and it’s taking a HUGE toll idk what to do anymore

[AnnieBrooke]

I didn't experience it with Bartholin's gland removal, but with a different abdominal surgery I had a nerve cut, and the sensation did return, it just took a long time, like over a year. You can tell when it's coming back because it does it bit by bit. (Mine was a long incision, and for a while a half inch of it got sensation back and the rest was numb, and then an inch, and then an inch and a half, and so on.) I hope you find your nerves repairing themselves (or other nerves taking over, I never learned which it was) as well. After all you went through, you deserve it. I wish your doctor was more knowledgeable.