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When Do You Use Vaginal Dilators? 10 Times You Should Use Dilators
A vaginal dilator (also known as a vaginal trainer or vaginal expander) is an instrument that women (and therapists) use to gently stretch the vagina. Vaginal dilators are used as an effective treatment for many different gynecological disorders and conditions. Aside from the pain that many gynecological problems cause, women often report that their sex lives have deteriorated, which is undoubtedly challenging - on many levels. Vaginal dilators can help restore or expand your pelvic floor muscles and vaginal tissues. These tube-shaped tools come in various sizes, ranging from small (around the size of your finger) to large. They are made from medical grade materials, such as silicone and plastic. The VuVa vaginal dilator sets also include patented dilators containing neodymium magnets, which bring extra healing benefits. When do you use vaginal dilators? There are many issues that vaginal dilators can help you to overcome. We have listed ten of the most common problems helped by vaginal dilator treatment, along with the benefits of vaginal dilator therapy for each condition… Vaginal stenosis Vaginal stenosis refers to the shortening and/or narrowing of the birth canal, and the formation of scar tissue forms in the vagina. Other vaginal stenosis symptoms are dryness, and loss of flexibility and elasticity. It often develops after a case of radiation treatment to the pelvic area, but can also be caused by genital surgery, an episiotomy (incision to the perineum) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia. With narrowing or shortening of the vagina, vaginal dilators can return it to a functional shape and capacity by stretching out any scar tissue (fibrosis) in the vagina and relaxing the muscles and ligaments. Vaginal atrophy Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) refers to the thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues, as well as inflammation. These issues are caused by a lack of estrogen, so it happens most often to post-menopausal women. Vaginal atrophy can make sex painful, and in some cases it causes urinary issues too. Vaginal dilators treat vaginal atrophy by increasing blood flow to the area, thus increasing natural lubrication and alleviating painful symptoms. Neodymium magnetic dilators do the best job, since the magnets maximize blood flow. Vaginismus Vaginismus causes vaginal pain due to the involuntary contraction of your pelvic floor muscles (specifically the pubococcygeus muscle group), usually when intercourse or examinations are attempted. These muscle contractions and spasms can make sex very difficult or painful. Vaginal dilators are one of the best vaginismus treatments in existence. That’s because women with vaginismus can train themselves to be comfortable with penetration gradually - in their own time and privacy. Dyspareunia (painful sex) Painful sex happens for a myriad of reasons; sometimes it starts in the psyche, and other times it has a physical cause. Since it doesn’t always go away on its own, it is important to seek professional assistance in diagnosing your dyspareunia. However, as is the case with vaginismus, women can use vaginal dilators to either desensitize the vagina or become accustomed to the feeling of penetration. Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is considered chronic vulvar pain not associated with infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic or hormonal disorders. The pain often lasts for over 3 to 6 months, but can continue for years. It is estimated that vulvodynia affects 4 to 8% of women at any one time, and 10 to 20% in their lifetime. This complex condition can have many underlying causes, which has made it notoriously difficult to treat. However, vast numbers of patients have had success using vaginal dilators for vulvodynia pain. In a clinical trial by Physician Care Clinical Research, 80% of participants had decreased vaginal pain when using neodymium magnetic dilators. All study participants also reported reduced anxiety linked to vulvodynia, plus significant improvements in their sexual health. Pudendal neuralgia Pudendal neuralgia is the name for chronic pain around the pudendal nerve, which runs from the lower back, along the muscles of the pelvic floor and into the perineum. It is possible to stretch, squash or traumatize nerves, so the same goes for this nerve. Commonly this results in burning, aching, or shooting pains. It can also present as itching or oversensitivity. Vaginal dilators have a high success rate for desensitizing the vulva, which makes them a useful tool for treating pudendal neuralgia symptoms. After pelvic chemotherapy or radiotherapy When a woman has chemotherapy, radiotherapy or brachytherapy treatment to the pelvic area, scar tissue can form in the vagina, leading to dryness and less elasticity in the tissues. The vagina and vaginal opening may also shrink or form scar tissue (adhesions), which could seal the walls of the vaginal together. Once treatment is complete, vaginal dilators (or also called vaginal trainers) are used to stretch the vaginal scar tissue in order to make sex and examinations more comfortable, and of course to retain the normal vaginal capacity. If you have had any of the above treatments, you should use vaginal dilators for the rest of your life to prevent scarring from forming at any time in the future. After breast cancer treatment Breast cancer treatment can unfortunately lead to other troublesome side effects, since it can cause the deterioration of estrogen levels circulating in the blood. It may also cause ovarian failure. Many breast cancer survivors find themselves dealing with vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) as a result. As mentioned above, vaginal dilators are a very effective vaginal atrophy treatment. If you have lichen sclerosus Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a skin condition affecting the skin of genitalia. It often affects post-menopausal women and has no known cause, although experts suspect an overactive immune system causes it. LS causes white patches around the vulva and inflammation. If left untreated it may cause scar tissue, tightened skin and shrinkage of the vaginal entrance. Vaginal dilators ease the associated pain during intercourse by stretching out the tissue and relaxing muscles. Vaginal dilators can also prevent shrinkage and help to keep the vagina at its normal capacity. When your pelvic floor is tight A tight (hypertonic) pelvic floor is a very common problem in women, and can happen due to excessive exercise, stress, anxiety, holding onto stools or urine, or as a result of another pelvic condition. A tight pelvic floor can lead to discomfort and dysfunction in the pelvic area, but you use vaginal dilators to help relax it and restore usual function. Dilators can reverse pelvic floor hypertonicity, hence they are a ‘go-to’ tool for pelvic floor physical therapists. We hope that our article has shed some light on the occasions when you need to use vaginal dilators. Don’t forget to look around our site for a wealth of information on women’s sexual health issues, as well as our range of products designed to help you overcome them. If you have any questions, you know where to find us! References: NCBI: Differentiating overlapping symptoms of vulvodynia and pudendal neuralgia Racgp.org.au/afp/2015/july/localised-provoked-vestibulodynia-(vulvodynia)-assessment-and-management/ NCBI: Atrophic Vaginitis in Breast Cancer Survivors: Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4493485/ Dilator therapy helps improve pelvic health and female sexuality. They are used to help a wide variety of female health concerns. Speak to your doctor today about how dilator therapy can help you. Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com VuVa Dilator Company 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. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
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What You Need To Know About What Causes Endometriosis
How to treat it? If you're living with endometriosis, you may be suffering from severe pain and want to know why. Endometriosis is when the endometrial tissues that usually line the inside of the uterus grow outside. The extra tissue is sometimes referred to as endometrial implants and can grow in the following: Ovaries Fallopian tubes Muscles that support the uterus Bladder Outer surface of the uterus The misplaced endometrial tissue functions similarly to normal endometrial cells. During each menstrual cycle, the tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds. It can become provoked and develop into scar tissue. The endometrial tissue can also form dark-colored ovarian cysts on the ovaries. All of which can lead to mild to severe abdominal pain and menstrual cramping. What Causes Endometriosis? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the exact cause of endometriosis isn't known. It's one of the most confusing hormonal and immune diseases. However, the causes of endometriosis are thought to be connected to one or more of the following theories. Retrograde Menstrual Flow Retrograde menstruation or transtubal migration theory is by far the most commonly cited reason for causing endometriosis by healthcare providers. The Endometriosis Association describes retrograde menstruation is when blood backs up through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvis. Doctors say that retrograde menstruation isn't unusual and happens to some degree for all women with monthly menses. Yet, endometriosis researchers believe that women with heavy retrograde flow may have an increased risk for the condition. The backward blood flow can accumulate endometrial cells in the abdomen. If they grow, the cells can cause pelvic pain and infertility. However, not all research supports retrograde menstrual flow with increased risk for endometriosis. It may only be one of the other factors that cause endometriosis. Female Sex Hormone — Estrogen According to the Mayo Clinic, high levels of estrogen may increase the risk of endometriosis. High levels of estrogen is referred to as estrogen dominance. This occurs when estrogen is high compared to progesterone, resulting in a hormonal imbalance. Common signs of estrogen dominance are weight gain, menstrual cramps, hot flashes, and endometriosis. Treatments for a hormonal imbalance usually include progesterone supplementation and dietary and lifestyle changes. Genetic Factors Research indicates that the cause of endometriosis may be hereditary. While determining how true hasn't been defined, some studies show that endometriosis occurs in familial patterns. A large study in Iceland looking at family members going back 11 centuries found an increased risk for endometriosis if a sister or a cousin had the condition as well. However, it may be one of the different factors causing endometriosis. Surgical Transplantation One theory that may result in endometriosis is surgical transplantation. This is when endometrial cells are transplanted into the uterus after surgery, such as a cesarean or c-section. When this happens, the endometrial implants may continue to grow, resulting in pain and developing endometriosis. Environmental Factors Another theory for what causes endometriosis is the use and production of environmental toxins, such as herbicides and pesticides. PCBs and Dioxins fall into this category, and when absorbed by the body, they may damage the immune system. The chemicals can contaminate the food chain and then build up in the human body after exposure. Once this happens, the theory suggests that the immune system has a hard time breaking down endometrial implants, resulting in scar tissue and severe pain. Endometriosis Risk factors Women with endometriosis may not be able to determine the exact cause, but certain risk factors may boost chances, including: Short or irregular menstrual period Heavy menstrual period Age Never getting pregnant Runs in families Low body weight Recurrent urinary tract infection If you have endometriosis symptoms and any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about possible treatments. Treatment for Endometriosis The National Institutes of Health outlines that endometriosis treatment usually includes pain medication, surgery, or hormone therapy. However, other natural methods, such as vaginal dilators and homeopathic solutions, can help manage the pain. Conservative Surgery The surgical procedure uses laparoscopy to remove endometrial implants without removing the sexual organs. It's the most common minimally invasive surgery, according to medical advice. However, it may not always work, and women may need additional surgeries. Medications Managing endometriosis can be done with different medications. For example, hormonal imbalances can be treated with estrogen and progesterone supplementation or birth control pills. Women may take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to manage the pain as well. Using medication is a standard treatment, but it can come with some side effects. Vaginal Dilators Many women who suffer from Endo also have other pelvic pain conditions that cause painful intercourse such as Vaginismus or Vulvodynia. Vaginal dilators are proven to help ease pelvic pain from scar tissue buildup in the pelvic cavity. This natural solution is one of the best treatment options for pelvic floor therapy at home. Vaginal dilators don't have any side effects, other than some minimal pain as you learn to use them for treatments. Vaginal dilators are inserted slowly into the vagina to stretch and lengthen ligaments and dissolve scar tissue. As the scar tissue breaks down, fresh oxygenated blood revives vaginal tissue and naturally eases endometriosis pain. The medical devices come in graduated sizes, making insertion easy and pain-free. Diagnosing Endometriosis If you have symptoms of endometriosis, you may need to request an appointment with your gynecologist or doctor. During the meeting, you may need to undergo a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, or even have an endometrial biopsy to determine whether you have endometriosis and the possible cause. There are different stages of endometriosis, and depending on what stage you're in will determine the next steps. It's essential for your mental and reproductive health that you begin the healing process before experiencing any complication of endometriosis. Endometriosis symptoms are painful and affect women's health. What causes endometriosis exactly isn't known, but many theories exist that may help direct your treatment. Vaginal dilators are a non-invasive solution for many women with endometriosis. Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com 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. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? 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Where Are Your Vaginal Dilators Made? It’s Surprisingly Important…
Not everyone checks on the origins of the products they purchase as standard, but there are times when this is necessary. In particular, when sexual health is at stake. Did you ever wonder where vaginal dilators for physical therapy are made? You could be forgiven for overlooking this detail, but it’s actually a more important one than it may seem. Since you’re going to be coming into close personal contact with your dilator, you should be careful to check that it is made from the highest quality materials, under the correct conditions. We’ll start by pointing out that not all vaginal dilators are made here in the US. Surprisingly few are, in fact. What if we told you that 95% of all dilator companies have their products made overseas? The problem with this is that it’s very difficult for you to confirm what type of material they are using. For instance, if the dilator company is outsourcing to China, it’s safe to say that they are definitely are not paying the premium prices necessary to obtain the highest quality materials. Since your health is of primary importance to us, we decided to give you the lowdown on where our vaginal dilators are made, what they are made from, and why this is important… Where are VuvaTech vaginal dilators made? First and foremost, women's health and safety is the number one priority for VuVatech. That’s why we like to keep a close eye on the manufacturing of our products, and we are keen to enable efficient communication with our suppliers. For both of these reasons, our magnetic vaginal dilators are made right here in the United States. Our magnetic dilators (which are our bestsellers for good reason!) are made right here at a high-end facility in Sarasota, Florida. We use medical grade plastic to ensure that our dilators are hypoallergenic and totally safe for you to use. Our silicone dilators are made in North America, for the same reasons. Women find that our Neodymium Vaginal Dilator therapy is more effective than regular dilators for their medical conditions such as vaginal atrophy, vaginismus, vulvodynia and other pelvic floor dysfunction conditions. It can take your fear of penetration away to clear the path to resume normal sexual activity. We chose to have our products made and shipped right from within our own community for another reason too: to create and secure local jobs for people. So with a locally manufactured product line we not only help our own people; we can also oversee the production and quality of everything easily. What are our vaginal dilators made from? VuVa silicone dilators are made from Medical Grade 6 Silicone, and they are free from latex. Our magnetic dilators are made from FDA approved, medical device grade polycarbonate. This means they are latex-free, waterproof and most importantly, non-toxic. This range of dilators contains neodymium magnets. Although these aren’t cheap, they are a major component of our dilators and these magnets set them apart from the rest due to their amazing health benefits. Neodymium magnets are rare-earth magnets frequently used in medical applications. The consist of an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron to form the Nd2Fe14B tetragonal crystalline structure that makes the fundamental base of the magnet. The magnets are all put strategically in place by hand according to a patented pattern that ensures maximum efficacy. Each of our magnetic dilators contains more than sixty neodymium magnets, which will retain their strength for at least ten years. What else is worth knowing about our vaginal dilators? You may find it helpful to know that we ran a small double blind placebo clinical trial, which was conducted at Sarasota Memorial Hospital IRB. In this trial our magnetic vaginal dilators were clinically proven to be more effective than non-magnetic dilators. In fact, 80% of our study participants said they experienced a decrease in their overall pain levels after using VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators. We hope that this article has given you some insight into the importance of where vaginal dilators are made, as well as the faith that at VuVatech we are doing everything we can to bring you the safest and most effective products on the market. If you have any questions about our product range, please drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help! VuVa Helpful Links: 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
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What is a Therawand? What are the types and how can it help me?
The Therawand is a clinically proven therapeutic internal massage and trigger point release wands. The TheraWand’s brilliant curves and dual release-ends make it perfect for pelvic massage, trigger point release and sexual wellness. The proven and patented designs are recommended by medical professionals worldwide. Being in the pelvic health business, I have learned the that one product may not have all the proper functions you need for your home pelvic floor therapy. While you can do slight trigger point therapy with our VuVa Dilators, you really need a Therawand pelvic wand to reach trigger points successfully. This company aligns themselves with the same values as ours, made in America, exemplary manufacturing and strict quality control. I talk to many PT's every week that have been using the Therawand for years with their patients, so I decided to write a blog to tell you about my two favorite Therawands and the difference between the two. What are the two most popular types of Therawands? LA-Wand: Tapered end is 5/8 inches thick Bobbled end is 7/8 inches thick Overall length is 9 inches Elliptical tapered end 4 Bobbles end The LA TheraWand is a highly regarded therapeutic manual massage device designed with direct input by leading pelvic floor therapists. The brilliant curves and design make the LA-Wand perfect for gentle intrapelvic massage. This wand allows you to massage irritable, tight or sore trigger points in the pelvic floor musculature to relieve pelvic discomfort and pain. As a sexual wellness product, the TheraWand is also excellent for addressing anorgasmia. The LA-Wand has two Release-Ends that consist of a finger-tip like tapered end for easy insertion and a 'bobble' end offering greater surface area. The bobbled end can also be used as a handle. The LA-Wand measures 9″ in length and can aid reachability for larger individuals or for those with limited mobility. The overall diameter is 5/8" and the bobbles are 7/8" wide. This wand can be used both rectally and vaginally. The LA-Wand is the preferred wand for anal use due to its thinner width. V-Wand: Overall thickness is 7/8 inches Overall length is 8 inches Finger-tip like end Opposable thumb shape end The brilliant curves and design make the V-Wand perfect for gentle intrapelvic massage. This Wand allows you to massage irritable, tight or sore trigger points in the pelvic floor musculature to relieve pelvic discomfort and pain. As a sexual wellness product, the TheraWand is also excellent for addressing anorgasmia. The V-Wand has two Release-Ends, that include an opposable-thumb shape for when greater surface area is needed and a finger-tip like tapered end for more precise contact. The V-Wand has a diameter of 7/8" and measures 8" long. This wand can be used both rectally and vaginally. How can Therawand's help me? The TheraWand enables you to control the exact location and amount of pressure applied. In addition to the internal operator muscles this wand can reach the transverse perineal, pubo, vaginalis, and all three components of the levator ani muscle. If you suffer from pelvic pain conditions such as, Therawands can help by helping with trigger point therapy: Vulvodynia Vulvar Vestibulitis Vaginismus Dyspareunia Pelvic Radiation Therapy Menopause Vaginal Stenosis Vaginal Atrophy Pudendal Neuralgia Vaginal Agenesis Both wands are frequently bought by all genders. However, the LA-Wand is purchased for rectal insertion due to the thinner diameter of it’s tapered end. The LA-Wand is also slightly longer which aids reachability. Either end can be used for insertion or as a handle. The different release ends are effective for internal massage and trigger point release and simply offer preference for the user. The V-Wand and LA-Wand come sealed in plastic and with a beautiful carrying pouch. Included with each is a pamphlet that contains general instructions and a product insert sheet. Therawand's patented wands are made from high quality acrylic that is BPA free. Each wand is sealed in plastic and inspected for defect-free craftsmanship. Also included are general instructions and a beautiful carrying pouch. Made in the USA. Shipped discreetly. If you would like a Therawand, please visit www.therawand.com Please consult with a healthcare professional for individualized instructions. Other VuVa Helpful Links: 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
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What is the Best Treatment for Vulvodynia?
Best ways to treat? The Vuvatech site is full of information about the troublesome condition known as vulvodynia, and many others of its kind. We won’t tell you too much about the condition in this article, since we have many other articles on vulvodynia already. However, we are often asked what the best treatment for vulvodynia is, so we decided to address that separately. Vulvodynia does not discriminate; it affects women of all ages and all ethnicities, and can even starts during the teenage years. When you consider that there are an estimated six million vulvodynia sufferers around the world, It will probably come as no surprise that we’re asked about vulvodynia treatment so often! So without further ado, we’ll get straight to our recommendations on the best treatments for vulvodynia: Home treatments for vulvodynia These options are more about behaviors and product choices, but they can prevent vulvodynia flare-ups too, so they’re worth incorporating into your self-care protocol: Choose chemical-free, plant-based oils for moisturizing the vulva area Take sitz baths (but at a lukewarm temperature – too much heat can aggravate!) Exchange tampons for sanitary pads or Mediterranean sea sponges Clean the whole area with gentle, chemical-free soap after sex, and even after peeing Use water-based lubricant during sex to prevent friction, and a cool gel pack afterwards if necessary CBD oil is a great natural treatment for vulvodynia thanks to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities We know that these treatments alone may not be enough to totally free you from vulvodynia pain, but they should certainly ease things for you. The best treatment for vulvodynia In our opinion – as well as the opinion of many clinical researchers – the best vulvodynia treatment is vaginal dilators. Obviously you will be looking to reduce the pain, and a lot of women find that pain diminishes or disappears when they can relax their pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal dilators (also known as vaginal expanders) are a very safe and effective treatment for vulvodynia. Our Neodymium magnetic dilators help blood to flow to the area while stretching the tissues and muscles to promote relaxation. Rest assured there are studies to back these findings! Women who took part in the trials noticed significant pain reduction after dilator use, as well as improved sexual confidence and mental health. Using dilators just once or twice per day for around twenty or thirty minutes should be enough to help relieve your vulvodynia pain. You can start out with small dilators and work your way up to the bigger sizes as you feel comfortable. Do you need a stronger treatment for vulvodynia? If self-care strategies and dilators are not bringing you enough relief, it may be time to think about a more serious treatment for vulvodynia. If so, the following options could be helpful – but be warned, there could be side effects with some: Sign up for a course of pelvic floor physical therapy (which may include pain-relieving biofeedback therapy as well as dilator therapy) Speak to your Doctor about appropriate medicines like steroids or tricyclic antidepressants (but proceed with caution, as some medicines can exacerbate the problem). Trial and error may be required. If things are really not improving, you could speak to a vulvar specialist about surgery. However, bear in mind that the odds of success are not very high, so it really is a last resort. Surgical options exist, but success rates are not so high. We hope that you find the solution you’re looking for. Treatment for vulvodynia is the first step, and even if it takes a bit of trial and error, you should be able to find a solution that works for you. Other VuVa Helpful Links: 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
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What is Urge Urinary Incontinence (AKA Overactive Bladder)? by Dr. Lauren Peterson
Urge urinary incontinence or simply “urge incontinence” is that horrible, sudden feeling you get of having to go to the bathroom and having to go right now. Following the feeling of urgency, the bladder leaks are the component that we formally call urge urinary incontinence. If you are just urinating too frequently, this is the component we call overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Because the outcome of needing to go and ultimately bladder leaks are so similar, I typically lump overactivebladder syndrome in with what qualifies as urge urinary incontinence. Normal frequency of urination is every two to three hours. So, if you are going more frequently than that, for example, every hour or every 30 minutes, that is not normal. Your bladder probably isn't as strong as it needs to be and that is a symptom of overactive bladder. When you have urine leaks because you have the urgency and cannot make it to the bathroom that is what urge urinary incontinence is. Both OAB and urge urinary incontinence can be treated with PelvicFloor Physical Therapy. If you have any other questions about urge urinary incontinence, don'thesitate to ask (OKC@FYZICAL.com). I am Dr. Lauren Peterson Clinical Director and Doctor of Physical Therapy here at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers of Oklahoma City. VuVa Helpful Links: 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
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When Sex Hurts: Dyspareunia and why it is a Broad Term
When sex hurts, we don’t always know why. It is obviously scary and distressing to when something that should be pleasurable and natural results in pain. However, for many women, this is the reality. It is important to try and get to the bottom of the reasons sex hurts, so that you can find a solution and resume normal balance in your relationships. Dyspareunia (the name for painful sex) is no laughing matter, but it is a broad term. In this article we’ll take a look at why this is and some of the reasons you may be having painful intercourse. When sex hurts, finding the cause is important Dyspareunia is often linked to underlying physical or psychological problems. The term refers to any kind of pain related to sexual activity, whether that is before, during or after sex. If the cause is not obvious, it can be tempting to brush the problem under the carpet it in the hope that it will get better… and it might. It also might not, and the longer you go without a healthy sex life, the more of an impact this can have on your self-esteem and your relationships. To make matters a little more confusing, there are actually two types of dyspareunia. The first is superficial dyspareunia, which relates to the pain felt around the point of penetration. A large penis, an infection or anything that affects libido or hormones could be behind this pain. Superficial dyspareunia also refers to painful sex caused by psychological disorders. Then there is deep dyspareunia, which refers to sex-related pain deeper in the vagina. When sex hurts and you feel it nearer to the cervix, womb or ovaries, this is deep dyspareunia. You may feel aching or burning sensations, and they may be caused by conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. What does it mean when sex hurts? If you’re experiencing dyspareunia, a part of you (body or mind) isn’t functioning as it should be. The reason dyspareunia is such a broad term is that there are so many possible reasons for it. If the cause of dyspareunia is physical, your symptoms might be related to malfunctioning Bartholin glands. These are the glands that lubricate the vagina during sexual excitement. As you might imagine, when these are not working properly, you won’t be lubricated properly and this can result in friction and tears in the vaginal lining. The more tense you become, the worse this gets – it can even become a cycle as you start to anticipate it and tense up. There are other physical reasons for dyspareunia. When sex hurts, you might already have a problem with inflammation caused by another condition. This may be a yeast infection or STD, for example. Some women may experience dyspareunia because of pelvic nerve damage (pudendal neuralgia). Hormonal issues can also result in vaginal dysfunction. For example, the menopause could lead to vaginal atrophy. Certain surgical procedures (such as hysterectomy or removal of other reproductive organs) may also damage the muscles of the pelvic region or alter hormone balance, leading to painful intercourse. Physical causes of dyspareunia need to be carefully assessed and diagnosed by your healthcare practitioner. Are your thoughts the cause of painful sex? If you don’t have a physical condition causing your dyspareunia, there may be a psychological reason. For instance, vaginismus is a common condition often caused by negative anticipation before sex. This causes the vagina to contract and spasm, making sex difficult and often painful, so it is linked to dyspareunia. If sex hurts, it could be because you simply don’t feel like it. If your libido has dipped, you might need to see a doctor; the reason could be hormonal, stress related, or age related. It could even be that you just don’t feel attracted to your partner anymore, or you’re worried about your appearance or ability to perform; whatever the reason, if you’re forcing yourself or you’re not relaxed, sex is more likely to hurt. Unfortunately there are a lot of women out there who have been through some kind of sexual or psychological trauma in the past. Even if the conscious mind appears to have let go of it, these experiences can lay dormant in the subconscious, affecting your associations with sex. Again, relaxing becomes difficult and the result may be dyspareunia. If you suspect this may be the reason sex is painful for you, it may be time to see a sexual health counselor. When sex hurts, you can find a way out. We know that many of our readers benefit from using vaginal dilators, since they can help you to work with physical causes and prepare you for sex when the cause is psychological. Our site has so much information designed to help you, but you should also feel free to contact us if you think we can help with anything. This article was posted by VuVatech. VuVatech has their own line of Magnetic and Silicone Vaginal Dilators for Pelvic Pain. Learn more here: Vuvatech.com/pages/how-vuva-vaginal-dilators-work
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What Size Vaginal Dilator Should I Get?
You have undoubtedly found your way to this article because you have heard about the benefits of vaginal dilators. However, if you haven’t used a vaginal dilator before, you may be a little confused about how to get started with them. Knowing which is the right size vaginal dilator for you is not always easy. In fact, one of the most common questions we are asked at Vuvatech is, “What size vaginal dilator should I get?” and although there is no exact answer to that question, our wealth of experience means we can help you to decide on which dilators are right for you. Choosing the best vaginal dilator may entail doing a little mental math on details such as your shape and size, comfort levels and personal goals. Every woman’s body is different, and there are so many reasons for needing a vaginal dilator. It’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all product, and you may even be wondering if it’s the right kind of product for you at all. This article was written to help you understand what dilators are for, how they work, and of course which size of dilators will fit you best. We can also provide the best vaginal dilators on the market, so that you can be sure you are getting a premium quality product that will solve your problems and boost your confidence. How to pick your Vaginal Dilator sizes: When shopping for dilators, it might be hard to know what size vaginal dilators you need. If you ask your physician or pelvic floor physical therapist, they should be able to tell you what size you need to start your pelvic floor therapy with. Some people do not need the entire set and some people do. When it comes to our size vaginal dilators, there are seven to choose from. We have one of the smallest vaginal dilators on the market and one of the largest. The smallest dilator, the Size 1, is comparable to a pencil and the Size 2 is comparable to a women's pinky finger. If you can get a larger tampon applicator in with ease, you may want to start with a Size 3 or 4 dilator if your muscles are very tight, or you have a lot of atrophy pain. If you are sexually active, you might not need the smaller dilators and starting with the Size 4 or 5 and moving up would be best for your home therapy plan. You can also purchase the size dilator that is comparable in circumference to your partner if you are sexually active. As dilator therapy can be uncomfortable, you do not want to be in extreme pain when you are dilating. If you are, then you need to move down one dilator size. On a pain scale of 1-10, you do not want to go over a 3-4 pain level when dilating. Now, when you first put the dilator in, it can be very painful, but that pain should subside after a few minutes. You don't want to be in extreme pain the entire time during your dilator therapy. Here are the seven sizes of VuVa Dilators: VuVa™ Magnetic Vaginal Dilator Tips: In order for you to tell the true size, you might want to use a ruler and draw the sizes you think you need on a piece of paper. This can help you visualize the correct sizes of the dilators. Use a VuVa™ Magnetic Vaginal Dilator comparable to your partners size 20 minutes before intercourse to relax tight muscles and bring blood flow to the area. You have now created a relaxed environment for penetration. If you use the dilator that is around your partners size 20 minutes before intercourse, it will relax your muscles and help create natural lubrication before you replace the dilator with your partner. It will also help with the fear of penetration that most women have due to the pain of insertion because of their pelvic pain condition. For a full list of instructions on how to use dilators, visit our Directions page. Choosing the right size of vaginal dilator with your Pelvic Floor Physical Therapits One of the quickest and easiest routes to deciding which is the correct size of vaginal dilator is to check with a pelvic floor physical therapist or women’s health practitioner. They will be able to tell you which sizes are right for your specific issues. However, if you don’t have or don’t want to see a specialist, you can still figure out and decide out which size dilators to use. We know that looking at a screen can’t give you a truly accurate idea of a dilator size. So here’s a top tip to help you choose the right dilator size: using our size chart above and a ruler, you can draw the sizes onto paper, which will help you to visualize the dilator sizes more accurately. If you are really unsure which dilators will fit you best, a combo set will give you a few options; this way you can ‘err on the side of caution’ and take your time to achieve your goal. A word of warning: it is normal for dilators to feel a little uncomfortable when they are the correct size, but you should not be in severe pain when using them – that’s not normal and could lead to soreness or further problems. As a point of reference, pain should not be over a 4 out of 10, so if you experience a lot of pain when using a dilator – anything over a level 4 - try moving down a size until you have expanded your capacity enough to tolerate a bigger one. Having said that, depending on your reason for using a dilator, you may experience pain when inserting anything at all. In this case you may want to wait a few minutes to see if the pain level drops. If so, you should be fine with the size you picked. Sexually active women generally wish to work their way up to a size comparable to their partner’s penis. Using one around his size for approximately 20 minutes prior to sex should make intercourse much more comfortable and satisfying. Which are the best types of dilators? Vaginal dilators for women's health are made from different materials, designed to suit different issues. Most issues include some kind of pelvic floor dysfunction, for which dilators are available in silicone, magnetic and plastic. We recommend VuVa magnetic dilators first and foremost, as the magnets inside them work very well to improve blood flow to the vaginal tissues. This soothes nerve endings and helps the body to heal by balancing its electromagnetic energy. Our clinical trial proved the effectiveness of magnetic dilator therapy, and our happy customers agree! Are vaginal dilators helpful? In so many instances, yes: vaginal dilators are extremely helpful! Women use them for many reasons, from conditioning the vagina to receive a penis or any other kind of penetration, to overcoming pain, fear and discomfort around penetration. Pain and fear tend to work together to create a cycle, unfortunately. This cycle can lead to negative anticipation and varying degrees of involuntary constriction. Once the causes of vaginal pain have been determined, dilators are often the next step recommended by physicians. That’s because they can erase the muscle memory that leads to this constriction, desensitizing your central nervous system and muscles, and conditioning you to develop a more positive anticipation for penetration. Vaginal dilators are helpful for stretching out your tissues and muscles over time, thus improving capacity and elasticity, and reducing tightness caused by scarring or hormonal changes. In case you weren’t aware of it, we are happy to tell you that vaginal scarring and shrinking are reversible in almost all instances. Which pelvic pain conditions do dilators help? Women who suffer from any of the conditions below can benefit from using vaginal dilators. Some of the conditions include: Vulvodynia Vulvar vestibulitis Vaginal atrophy Menopause Vaginal stenosis Pudendal Neuralgia Pelvic radiation therapy Vaginismus Dyspareunia Vaginal agenesis Reassignment surgery Thanks for reading our article, and we hope we have helped you to decide upon the best size of vaginal dilator for you. However, if you are still unsure which size dilator is right for you, or whether you can use them at all, you could ask a trained medical professional. It might also help to take a look through our blog, which contains countless articles on the sexual health conditions dilators can help. You can use the search bar (on the top right of the site) to explore our library of articles and information. Oh, and we are always happy to hear from you if you wish drop us a line for some advice on our products and what they are used for, so feel free to get in touch! Resources/Links Vuvatech.com/pages/how-do-i-know-what-size-vaginal-dilator-i-need Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/do-silicone-dilators-work-yes-and-here-are-instructions-on-how-to-use-silicone-vaginal-dilators Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/vaginal-dilators-how-to-use-dilation-products Vuvatech.com/pages/vuva-recommended-pelvic-pain-specialists-doctors Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4475318/ Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com 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. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
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What happens when my dilators don’t work? by VuVa Dilator Company
For more than 50 years, Doctors, healthcare experts and gynecological therapists have been prescribing vaginal dilators to treat a wide range of sexual health problems in women. The goal for the vast majority of women is to heal from pain, or to restore and maintain vaginal capacity in order to have a natural and normal sex life. Vaginal dilator therapy has huge success rates for many women, hence its popularity… but of course there are always instances when things don’t quite go to plan. So, what happens when your dilators aren’t working? In this article we answer this important question and a few others. We’ll address possible reasons why a dilator isn’t working, and what to do if dilators didn’t work for you. You have to think of it this way, the dilator is trying to work, but your muscles are so tight, you might be struggling to move up to that next size. Even though your next size dilator didn’t work yet, that doesn’t mean it never will. You may just need a little extra help. Read on to find out what happens when dilators don’t work… Why isn’t my dilator working? When you first start using a dilator, it can feel a little strange, but you soon become accustomed to it. However, it is important to use the dilator in the correct way from the beginning to be sure you are optimizing your results. Vaginal dilating isn’t particularly complicated, but the process of healing can vary greatly depending on how often you do it, whether you’re following the dilating instructions properly, and the severity and complexity of the health condition you are treating. It may also be that you have attempted using vaginal dilators for your condition without the assistance of a professional – and that’s fine, many women do. If you have any of the below concerns, you would have been right to assume that dilators would help you: Pain and discomfort during pelvic examinations Pain or discomfort during sex, particularly in the vulvar region or reproductive organs Painful or fear in relation to any sexual activity Painful vaginal symptoms after receiving pelvic radiation Menopause-related atrophy However, if your problem is complex or has underlying issues as yet undiagnosed, it may be that you also need extra support in the form of professional guidance. It may also be necessary to combine your dilator therapy with another kind of therapy, medication or protocol for best results. Unfortunately, there are so many possibilities for dysfunction in the female reproductive system. As the majority of this system is not easily accessible or visible, professional diagnosis and assistance is often required. Has my dilator stopped working? This is important distinction to make. If you were making progress with your dilators, but now feel that you are not, it stands to reason that vaginal trainers were working for you, and so they can work again. It could be that the dilator you are using has done its job; in other words, you have reached the maximum capacity this dilator can achieve and now need to move up to a larger size of dilator. If you are not feeling any pain or discomfort when inserting your dilator, but are not seeing any improvement in your condition, perhaps it is worth trying a bigger dilator. They come in 7 different sizes, with the largest size of dilator being equivalent to the ideal vaginal capacity (generally speaking). If you are still experiencing a degree of tightness and discomfort, but are not achieving any discernible results after weeks or months of use, it might be that your condition is not responding to the therapy any longer. This is when it is best to seek professional assistance. Should I keep using a vaginal dilator? Provided that the vaginal dilators or trainers you are using are not causing pain (some discomfort is normal and indicative that there is more work to be done), it should not be an issue for you to keep using vaginal dilators. However, you are seeking better results, and you deserve to have a relaxed and healthy sex life, or to be free of pain, discomfort and worry when it comes to penetration of any kind. You can continue to use dilators to lengthening and stretching the vagina naturally. It is also worth considering that it can take weeks and sometimes months to notice an obvious improvement. So again, as long as you are not in pain or experiencing severe anxiety over dilating, it should not be an issue to keep using vaginal dilators. How do I know if my dilator is working? Firstly, remember that dilators gently and slowly widen your vaginal capacity at a rate you are comfortable with. How much time you have, and how dedicated and consistent you are in using your dilators will also play a part in how long it takes to heal. It could be unrealistic to expect your pain to calm after one or two uses, since it can take several weeks or months for dilators to effectively do their job. It may actually take between 8 and 12 weeks for you to notice any increase in the size of your vaginal opening, or any softening of the tissues or flexibility in the muscles. It is a good idea to document the changes you notice along the way, right from the start, and with dates. This will help you to keep track of progress, because it can be a little like looking in the mirror every day. It’s not always as easy to notice subtle changes happening gradually; we tend to notice more after a period of not being focused on our reflection. Since you want to dilate consistently, it could help to have notes to compare against, regarding your feelings and observations from the weeks prior. What should I do if my dilator doesn’t work? If you feel that you’ve gone as far as you can go with your vaginal dilators alone, you may benefit from seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist. This type of therapist will understand a wide range of gynecological conditions and how they should be responding to dilator treatment. They may also be able to spot anomalies or issues that you couldn’t, and they will certainly know how best to manipulate the muscles and tissues for best results. Pelvic floor therapists also use a range of other therapies alongside vaginal trainers. You may find that your therapist recommends biofeedback, trigger point therapy, pelvic floor stretching, and more. Pelvic floor physical therapy is particularly recommended for women who suffer from: Severe or persistent pelvic pain Organ prolapse Problems becoming sexually aroused or orgasming Vaginal tightness or spasms (vaginismus) Dyspareunia (painful sex) Lack of bladder or bowel control Pelvic floor physical therapists are trained in pelvic anatomy, and they have great knowledge of the joints, muscles, nerves, organs and connective tissues. An experienced PFPT will be well-versed in pelvic conditions and how the symptoms can show up in your body. It is always wise to check in advance that they have dealt with your condition, or are equipped to diagnose it. A good pelvic floor physical therapist will show treat you in person, as well as showing you exactly what you need to do with your vaginal dilators and when. So, if you’ve been worried that your dilators aren’t working, it might be time to find a local pelvic floor therapist who can help you get to the bottom of your particular issue. There is always a solution – it’s just that sometimes a little more effort is required to find it. Don’t forget to check out the many articles in our blog on all things women’s health – simply search your keyword on the site and you may just find some golden tips and solutions, sooner than you thought. Resources Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/do-dilators-really-work Vuvatech.com/pages/vaginal-dilator-how-to-use Vuvatech.com/blogs/vuvagirlblog/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-benefits-for-great-health Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/first-visit-for-pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-here-s-what-to-expect Visit our directions page to learn more about at home therapy. 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
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We create safe, effective products that truly work — designed to help you relax, restore balance, and feel good in your body again. Our VuVa® Pelvic Floor Support Sets gently calm nerves, ease tension, and support natural pelvic healing from the inside out.
