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Doctor responds to Jennifer Lawrence’s comments about ‘butthole changing’ after birth and reveals what actually happens
Jennifer Lawrence has prompted a conversation around one of the less-discussed physical effects of childbirth after openly revealing how becoming a mother has changed her body.
The actor recently opened up about the subject during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, where she shared a blunt, albeit comical, observation about what happens after giving birth.
Lawrence makes bold admission
“Your vagina will bounce back, your butthole won’t,” Lawrence quipped.
The 36-year-old shares two sons with her husband, art gallery director Cooke Maroney; Cy, three, as well as a one-year-old son, whose name the couple have not shared publicly.
Lawrence did not go into detail about the specific changes she had experienced, but admitted she had been “completely unprepared” for the physical realities of motherhood.
“There’s no going back,” she admitted. “That thing is coming out.”
According to experts, pregnancy and delivery can place considerable strain on the pelvic floor, potentially causing a range of problems, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and injuries to the muscles responsible for controlling bowel movements.
“Pregnancy and childbirth put extreme pressures on the pelvic floor and can cause hemorrhoids, fissures, and sphincter weakness and injuries,” explained Dr Poppy Addison, a colorectal surgeon at Northwell's Staten Island University Hospital.
One of the most common issues is hemorrhoids, which can develop when the pressure and straining involved in vaginal delivery causes veins around the anus to swell, and while the swelling can eventually settle, some women are left with a permanent change in the form of an external hemorrhoidal skin tag.
“These are stretched out skin and usually do not go away, though the appearance can change minimally if they’re small,” said Dr Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon and chief medical officer at Bummed.
Childbirth can also affect the muscles that support the rectum and help control bowel movements.
As a baby passes through the birth canal, these muscles can become stretched or injured, potentially leaving some women with lasting changes.
“Sometimes they recover completely, but sometimes the stretching or injury leaves lasting changes,” said Dr Amir Shay, a gynecological surgeon and OB-GYN medical adviser for Bummed.
This can result in difficulties controlling wind, sudden urges to use the toilet, or problems fully emptying the bowels, and in more severe cases, weakened pelvic floor support can contribute to rectal prolapse, a condition where the rectum slips down and protrudes through the anus.
“It can go back in, but the prolapse usually doesn’t resolve until surgically removed,” Fong explained, although she noted that pelvic floor therapy can help.
Some women can also experience serious tears during delivery, with particularly severe injuries extending towards the anus, and these injuries can sometimes leave scarring or, in certain cases, result in a fistula.
Anal fissures, which are small but painful tears in the skin surrounding the anus, are another potential problem that can develop after childbirth, sometimes as a result of constipation.
“Studies suggest that roughly one in four to one in three women experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy or after childbirth,” Dr. Shay said.
“More serious tears involving the muscles that control bowel movements occur in approximately 3% of vaginal deliveries.”
Experts claim issues are often treatable
Thankfully, most women do not go on to develop long-term problems with bowel control, Shay added, but experts believe many women are reluctant to speak openly about their symptoms.
“I know women underreport these postpartum symptoms,” Fong claimed.
The good news is that many of the issues affecting the anus and pelvic floor after childbirth can be treated, while certain steps may help reduce the likelihood of them developing or becoming worse.
One of the most important things is avoiding constipation, which can place additional pressure on the anal area.
“Preventing constipation is one of the most important steps,” Shay said.
“Drinking enough water, eating fiber, and using stool softeners when needed can help reduce pressure on the anal area.”
Anyone experiencing ongoing pain, constipation, bleeding or other concerning symptoms should also seek medical advice, says Dr. Addison.
“If someone is experiencing constipation, pain or bleeding or anything else concerning, I recommend they come to a colorectal surgeon regardless of the stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery to discuss an individualized approach,” Dr. Addison said.
“We can suggest methods to avoid the problem getting worse throughout pregnancy or how to address it after delivery.”
Ultimately, Dr. Shay believes there needs to be greater awareness of the physical changes women can experience after having a baby.
“The vagina isn’t the only area affected by pregnancy and delivery. The anus and pelvic floor can change too, and women shouldn’t feel embarrassed to talk about it,” he urged. “These problems are common, and many can be treated.”
