Vaginal dilators

👉 What are vaginal dilators?

Progressive vaginal dilators are progressive therapy devices and must be prescribed by a healthcare professional. They complement other treatments prescribed by a specialist: physical therapist, oncologist, sexologist, or gynecologist. Progressive dilators usually come in a pack of various sizes for gradual exercise, starting with the smallest dilator. They have an elongated shape with a soft tip for easy insertion. Most dilators are made of 100% hypoallergenic, medical-grade silicone.

Vaginal dilators have been around in various forms for at least 50 years, helping women:

• after gynecological surgery
• after pelvic radiotherapy
• to treat pelvic floor hypertonia
• in cases of vaginismus
• in cases of dyspareunia.
• to treat lower back and/or pelvic pain

Below, we'll explain exactly what dilators are for, how to use them, and the medical terms associated with problems during vaginal penetration.

👉 What are vaginal dilators for?

✔️ After radiotherapy treatment

If a woman receives radiation therapy directed toward or near the vagina, she is usually given a dilator at the end of treatment. Initially, the use of the dilator helps prevent the vaginal walls from sticking together. It also prevents scar tissue from closing improperly.

As healing continues, radiation may cause fibrosis (a scarring process) in the vaginal walls. Using a dilator or having intercourse at least two to three times a week can help keep the vagina as wide and deep as possible.

✔️ After vaginal reconstruction

If a woman has undergone surgery to reconstruct her vagina due to a birth defect, a subsequent health problem, or cancer treatment, she is recommended to use a custom-made vaginal dilator while sleeping. She can also wear it for a few hours a day.

The dilator helps the new vagina stay as deep and wide as possible while healing.

✔️ Treatment in cases of underdeveloped vagina

Some women are born without a developed vagina. In this case, surgery to create a vaginal canal is an option, or dilation can be used to avoid this intervention.

In this latter situation, a dilator can be used in the vaginal opening for approximately half an hour twice a day. After a few weeks, it will have been deep enough to allow penetrative intercourse. However, you should continue using the dilator or engage in regular sexual activity to maintain the vaginal canal.

✔️ To treat vaginismus

Some women experience many problems during penetration. This isn't just about penetration during intimate relations, but also with a finger, a tampon, a menstrual cup, etc. This problem is called vaginismus. What is vaginismus? It used to be thought that it was the woman who intentionally tightened her vaginal muscles, making penetration impossible. In reality, it's an involuntary contraction of the vagina that prevents it. It's not related to sexual response, as women can feel pleasure during foreplay until reaching orgasm. The causes of vaginismus can be various: lack of communication between the couple, traumatic experiences, fear of pregnancy, strict or religious upbringing.

✔️ Dyspareunia treatment

What is dyspareunia or coitalgia? It is a sexual dysfunction whose symptoms range from discomfort (such as postcoital vaginal irritation, burning, or contractions) to severe pain before, during, or after intercourse, making penetration impossible. Dyspareunia, unlike vaginismus, appears after periods of sexual intercourse where there have been no previous problems. It has an initial physical cause, which, if left untreated, generates behavioral changes at the muscular and psychological levels. There are two types of dyspareunia: occasional and chronic.

Occasional: Many women suffer from occasional coitalgia. It can be due to several factors, including the postpartum period, irritation from barrier contraceptive material, or lubricants. Dyspareunia can also be related to vaginal dryness. In all of these cases, the pain can be relieved:

• avoiding products that cause irritation
• ensuring good vaginal lubrication
• In the case of postpartum, waiting the necessary time for a full recovery

Chronic: In the case of chronic female dyspareunia that is associated with vaginismus, endometriosis or genitourinary diseases, it is highly recommended to start treatment with vaginal dilators.

✔️ To maintain vaginal size after menopause

Vaginal dilators allow women to maintain the size and elasticity of their vagina sufficient for painless intercourse or discomfort-free gynecological examinations.

👉 Progressive dilator therapy

The required treatment depends on the underlying cause and is highly individualized. It is always highly recommended to train yourself both physically and emotionally. Initially, educational therapy with a specialist is recommended. Secondly, a series of gradual exercises with progressive dilators of different sizes will be proposed. Women can generally overcome vaginismus by practicing muscle relaxation while undergoing progressive dilation. The key is that the woman maintains control over what enters her vagina at all times, inserting the dilator to the point where she feels no pain or discomfort. As she gains self-confidence, she learns about her body and its limits, thus helping to combat her anxiety.

👉 How to use a progressive dilator?

Although the recommendation is to use a dilator two to three times a week, few women follow this routine. One reason may be that inserting a dilator into the vagina can provoke fear or anxiety. It can also cause a feeling of doing something immoral. On the other hand, using dilators can be very uncomfortable and uncomfortable. Despite these disadvantages, the benefits of using vaginal dilators are indisputable. Systematic desensitization (progressive dilation with dilators) as a complementary therapy can be over 90% effective .

A professional's recommendation, before using any device, is to always start by getting to know your own body (for example, looking at your genitals in the mirror). It's essential to accept it and learn what is pleasurable and what isn't. Some women try to push their limits and force their bodies too quickly. The key to treatment with vaginal dilators is muscle control and relaxation without any pain. Therefore, the most important thing is to perform the exercises progressively and with patience.

👉 Which dilator should I choose?

You should always start with the smallest dilator. This way, you can learn to relax and tighten the muscles surrounding the vaginal entrance. When the woman is confident she can relax her muscles, she should insert the well-lubricated dilator. She should start at the end and continue inserting it slowly until it is pain-free. Otherwise, it could cause anxiety and lead to quitting the exercise.

Once the woman successfully inserts the dilator, she can continue to advance, keeping it in for a few minutes. In the meantime, she can distract herself by reading, watching television, or listening to music.

The final step is to gently move the dilator in and out, rotate it, and tilt it. You can also take advantage of the vibrations in the mechanism, if it has one.

When using the small size becomes easy and comfortable, you can switch to a larger dilator. This will gradually help the woman gain control over her vaginal muscles. This will help her begin or improve her sexual relationships in the future and regain self-confidence.

👉 The latest tips

It is very important that the treatment be performed in a relaxed manner and at a time of day that is most convenient for you. The recommended position is lying on your back with your legs slightly apart and bent. Remember that the vagina tilts downward in this position. In this position, you should not push the dilator in at a right angle. Water-based lubricants are compatible with most dilators.

If you have any questions about which lubricant is best for you, you can check out our blog post:

Types of Lubricants - Everything You Need to Know

❤️Where can I buy vaginal dilators that are right for me?

At Pelvia.com, we care about your health, and that's why we offer a selection of top-quality, 100% hypoallergenic vaginal dilators.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified specialist who can assess your case personally.