How Long Does it Take for Dilators to Work? - VuVa Dilator Company

The straight answer is that there is no straight answer for this one! However, we will attempt to guide you to a reasonable estimation in this article. Since people with minimal dilating experience are usually the ones asking this question, it tends to come hand with other questions. For instance, you might want to know not only how quickly will a dilator work; if you’re skeptical, you might also be asking yourself, “Do dilators really work at all?”

Read on for a helpful guide to vaginal dilating in which we will explain whether they work, what to expect, and of course how long dilators can take to work… 

A vaginal dilator works by stretching the muscles, tissues and any scar tissue in your vagina. These tube-shaped medical tools can also relax the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues, thus reducing pain and tension. They can increase blood flow to the tissues, so are able to desensitize hypersensitive vaginal tissue. Combined with the stretching, this makes sexual intercourse and pelvic examinations more comfortable. In short, dilators can assist the vagina in expansion and becoming accustomed to receiving different sized objects.

Depending on which size dilator you choose and the materials it is made from, dilators can have slightly different effects. Or, they may just feel a little different depending on what they are made of. You can typically find either medical-grade silicone dilators, or those made from hard ABS plastic. Although they might resemble dildos or vibrators in some way, they’re not designed for the same purpose – once a dilator is inserted, you’ll leave it inside you for some time.

How vaginal dilators work is one consideration, but if you’re unsure whether dilators really work at all, let us reassure you. Of course, the experience you have won’t necessarily be the same as someone else’s, as we are all different physiologically. We also suffer from different gynecological and sexual problems, but it has to be said that dilators are extremely popular for a reason: it’s because yes, in most cases, vaginal dilators work. Many experts confirm that dilators work, as do clinical trials on dilator therapy.

Vaginal dilator therapy is a very safe and effective method of treating a wide range of women’s sexual health concerns, such as:

• Vulvodynia
• Vaginismus
• Vulvar vestibulitis
• Vaginal atrophy (common after menopause or radiation therapy)
• Vaginal stenosis
• Pudendal Neuralgia
• Dyspareunia (painful sex)
• Vaginal agenesis
• Reassignment surgery

We would highly recommend checking in with your healthcare provider before starting treatment if you suspect that you have any of the above conditions.

Remember that, as with many treatment protocols, healing may not happen immediately. With dedicated usage, you should be able to recondition your vagina to accept penetration without so much anxiety or physical discomfort. They will help to retrain your muscles and stabilize your body-brain connection so that you anticipate penetration in a more positive way. Feel free to read more on dilator efficacy here.

Now to answer the burning question: how long will my dilator take to work? Please remember that this is more of a guide than a definitive timescale, so it is important to be patient for best chances of success.

It could take between 8 and 12 weeks before you feel an increase in the size of your vaginal opening, or notice your tissues starting to soften. Many women notice some signs of improvement at between 2 and 3 weeks, but again, this depends on the severity of their condition. Some can upgrade their dilator sizes more quickly than others, but it’s personal. This often corresponds to relaxation levels.

To give you an idea using examples, in the case of severe vaginal atrophy it can take several months to be able to tolerate a larger dilator. For some who experience pain at penetration when inserting objects larger than a tampon, it might take between 6 weeks and 8 months to get better. Women with persistent vulvar burning (as is characterized by vulvodynia), or a chronic condition such as endometriosis could have to wait a year or more to see marked improvement. The truth is that you might need to be prepared to get used to dilator therapy, and should not give up if it’s taking longer than you expected.

What does a dilator feel like? Again, it can vary somewhat. Many women describe a sensation of pressure, but it should not be excessively painful. If you are experiencing some pain, take a little time to relax before retrying penetration. If you then still feel extreme pain, your dilator may be too large and you might need a smaller one. Discomfort when inserting small dilators should diminish within around 4 weeks, if you’re inserting it correctly, and depending on your particular condition.

Don’t be surprised if you experience a little bit of spotting or bleeding. It should cease as your vagina expands over time. The same applies to sex, and it could happen for a while, but shouldn’t be for longer than two or three months. Excessive bleeding, as with pain, is not normal. If this happens, you should consult your healthcare provider. The same goes for any signs of infection, such as itching, discharge, abdominal pain or fever.

Note that it is possible to feel emotional when you get started with this therapy. It can be triggering for some. Usually women find that they become adjusted to it relatively easily because they are in control of it. It may help to read other women’s experiences with vaginal dilators.

Magnetic dilators are not quite the same as other dilators. We created a patented dilator that works extremely well, thanks to the powerful set of Neodymium magnets inside it. These dilators help soft tissue to lengthen, thus relaxing your muscles and ligaments. Neodymium magnets can increase the blood flow around areas that are hurting and calm oversensitive nerves.

We understand the benefits of magnet therapy well, but we decided to do a clinical study to prove the efficacy of our magnetic dilators anyway. The great news was that 80% of the participants reported diminished pain after working with our dilators; there was on average a 30% decrease in pain when inserting a tampon (which is a clinical testing methodology for monitoring intercourse-related pain).  

In the case of vulvodynia, tests determined that 80% of subjects felt less pain in fewer locations after using our magnetic dilators. Overall, subjects reported a decrease of 28% in their pain levels. As a result, we are very confident that our magnetic dilators can help you with your pain levels at the very least!

We hope that you now have sufficient information on how long dilators take to work, and other important questions relating to this topic. As always, check out our extensive blog for information on a wide range of women’s health concerns and what you can do to resolve them. Thanks for reading.

Resources

Bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-015-0201-6

Mdedge.com/obgyn/article/64957/menopause/vaginal-dilation-when-its-indicated-and-tips-teaching-it

Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/vaginal-dilators-are-essential

Vuvatech.com/blogs/vuvagirlblog/buying-vaginal-dilators-read-this-to-stay-safe

VuVa Helpful Links:

How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 

7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen 

How to use Vaginal Dilators 

How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex 

Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators 

Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life!

Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators

Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain.