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How Long Does it Take to Loosen Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles?
Anyone who has suffered with the symptoms of a tight pelvic floor (hypertonic pelvic floor) will tell you that this excess tension is troublesome. It leads to restricted motion and often some form of pain. The pain usually manifests in the hips, lower back, tailbone, vagina or perineum area, but it can also extend to the buttocks, thighs and abdomen. Awareness about pelvic floor muscle stretches seems to be spreading, which is great; but one question that rarely gets answered is, how long does it take to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles? We have written quite a lot on various aspects of this problem, from the benefits of pelvic floor stretches to spotting the symptoms of a tight pelvic floor. This information will surely be useful but it helps to remember that with any form of healing, it can take time and perseverance. This article will outline how to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles, how long it may take to do so, and helpful tips for maintenance. How to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles Since your pelvic floor is not manually accessible, you may only have a vague idea of where your pain and tension is originating. It’s not entirely obvious to people how they should start to tackle the problem, so specific instructions on how to relax the pelvic floor muscles are often required. The good news is that once you know what you are doing it’s pretty easy, and there are lots of ways to go about it. If you have a hypertonic pelvic floor, you are likely to have been inadvertently holding your pelvic floor muscles tight for so long that your brain has become accustomed to it and no longer recognizes a problem. So by consciously performing pelvic floor stretches and breathing exercises, you are retraining your brain to perceive the newly relaxed state as normal. Thus you’re much more likely to notice any future tension arising and stop it in its tracks. See Product See Product See Product See Product How long will it take to loosen your pelvic floor? Truthfully, your pelvic floor muscles aren’t likely to release all of the accumulated tension overnight. To loosen tight pelvic floor muscles you will need to be patient and persistent. You should also note that different exercises work for different people, so you’ll need to listen to your body in order to pinpoint the techniques that work for you personally. The best way to do this is try out all of the exercises and breathing techniques to find the ones that make you feel the most relaxed. Even if you don’t feel relief from pelvic floor tension or pain immediately, keep at it. At the very minimum you should be doing your stretches and breathing for at least 20 to 30 minutes, twice a day, until you start to notice a difference. Practice certainly makes perfect and the more effort you put in, the more quickly you should see results. Over time, you will start to relax the pelvic floor muscles quickly and easily. You can start out with a ‘little and often’ approach if you find this easier; for example, instead of twice a day for 30 minutes, do 4 times per day for 10 minutes. Build up your practice gradually over weeks (or months if necessary) and within three to five months you should return to normal. This a realistic ballpark figure but it does depend on how severe your issues are. You can also use vaginal dilators to help relax a tense pelvic floor. Vuva dilators are used to regenerate vaginal capacity, expand the vaginal walls, add elasticity to the tissues, and to allow for comfortable sexual intercourse. VuVa Magnetic Dilators are smooth lightweight plastic, that come in a variety of graduated sizes. In a clinical trial conducted by Chief Investigator and Pelvic Pain Specialist Dr. Michael Swor in Sarasota, FL, it was shown that VuVa Neodymium Magnetic Dilators reduced pain in 80% of study subjects with no side effects reported. Neodymium Magnets are within each dilator that increase blood flow and relieve sexual discomfort while soft tissue lengthens, relaxing muscles and ligaments. As the tissue relaxes, the Neodymium magnets increase blood flow to the painful area calming nerves. VuVa™ Dilators are the only patented dilators available with Neodymium magnets. If after this amount of time you don’t feel any real improvement has happened, it may be necessary to consult a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help take your healing to the next level. It is also important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be affecting your pelvic floor muscles, so checking in with a healthcare specialist is also a good idea. Finally, if you aim to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles for good, be sure not to stop your practice once you’ve got rid of the obvious tension. It is wise to keep practicing once a day for maintenance as part of your routine, because as they say, prevention is better than cure. 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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How Long Does it Take to Loosen Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles?
Anyone who has suffered with the symptoms of a tight pelvic floor (hypertonic pelvic floor) will tell you that this excess tension is troublesome. It leads to restricted motion and often some form of pain. The pain usually manifests in the hips, lower back, tailbone, vagina or perineum area, but it can also extend to the buttocks, thighs and abdomen. Awareness about pelvic floor muscle stretches seems to be spreading, which is great; but one question that rarely gets answered is, how long does it take to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles? We have written quite a lot on various aspects of this problem, from the benefits of pelvic floor stretches to spotting the symptoms of a tight pelvic floor. This information will surely be useful but it helps to remember that with any form of healing, it can take time and perseverance. This article will outline how to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles, how long it may take to do so, and helpful tips for maintenance. How to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles Since your pelvic floor is not manually accessible, you may only have a vague idea of where your pain and tension is originating. It’s not entirely obvious to people how they should start to tackle the problem, so specific instructions on how to relax the pelvic floor muscles are often required. The good news is that once you know what you are doing it’s pretty easy, and there are lots of ways to go about it. If you have a hypertonic pelvic floor, you are likely to have been inadvertently holding your pelvic floor muscles tight for so long that your brain has become accustomed to it and no longer recognizes a problem. So by consciously performing pelvic floor stretches and breathing exercises, you are retraining your brain to perceive the newly relaxed state as normal. Thus you’re much more likely to notice any future tension arising and stop it in its tracks. See Product See Product See Product See Product How long will it take to loosen your pelvic floor? Truthfully, your pelvic floor muscles aren’t likely to release all of the accumulated tension overnight. To loosen tight pelvic floor muscles you will need to be patient and persistent. You should also note that different exercises work for different people, so you’ll need to listen to your body in order to pinpoint the techniques that work for you personally. The best way to do this is try out all of the exercises and breathing techniques to find the ones that make you feel the most relaxed. Even if you don’t feel relief from pelvic floor tension or pain immediately, keep at it. At the very minimum you should be doing your stretches and breathing for at least 20 to 30 minutes, twice a day, until you start to notice a difference. Practice certainly makes perfect and the more effort you put in, the more quickly you should see results. Over time, you will start to relax the pelvic floor muscles quickly and easily. You can start out with a ‘little and often’ approach if you find this easier; for example, instead of twice a day for 30 minutes, do 4 times per day for 10 minutes. Build up your practice gradually over weeks (or months if necessary) and within three to five months you should return to normal. This a realistic ballpark figure but it does depend on how severe your issues are. If sex is painful for you, vaginal dilator therapy can be beneficial in helping reduce the fear of penetration and relaxing your muscles. Start by testing the smaller size VuVa™ Vaginal Dilators to see which vagina dilator size you are comfortable inserting. You may find that when you are first starting to use dilators, you can only tolerate the tip and that is normal. Increase dilator size only after you can insert current size dilator with ease. When you insert the dilator, do not go over a 3-4 pain level. Using vaginal dilators will be uncomfortable at first, but you will feel the pain subside as the muscles relax around the vaginal canal. If after this amount of time you don’t feel any real improvement has happened, it may be necessary to consult a pelvic floor physical therapist who can help take your healing to the next level. It is also important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be affecting your pelvic floor muscles, so checking in with a healthcare specialist is also a good idea. Finally, if you aim to loosen tight pelvic floor muscles for good, be sure not to stop your practice once you’ve got rid of the obvious tension. It is wise to keep practicing once a day for maintenance as part of your routine, because as they say, prevention is better than cure. 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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Safe Vaginal Stenosis Treatments Available by VuVatech
Vaginal stenosis is the name for the shortening and/or narrowing of the birth canal. Vaginal stenosis sufferers may find that scar tissue forms in the vagina, which might also dry out and lose flexibility and elasticity. Women with vaginal stenosis symptoms often find it very difficult to function normally, especially during sex or gynecological exams. This can be incredibly challenging, of course, but fortunately there are vaginal stenosis treatments available to women who are dealing with such difficulties. One of the most common causes of vaginal stenosis is the impact of radiation in the pelvic area, usually as a treatment for cancers of the bladder, rectum, cervix, uterus, or lymph glands. For instance, it can be caused by external beam therapy (EBRT), pelvic radiation therapy (RT), or brachytherapy (internal implants). Any woman who has received a treatment like this could develop vaginal stenosis later; in fact, it is common enough to affect around one third of radiation patients. Other possible reasons for developing vaginal stenosis are genital surgery, an episiotomy (incision to the perineum) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (although rare). Whatever the cause, you’ll undoubtedly be looking for a solution, so lets take a look at the vaginal stenosis treatments available to you: See Product See Product See Product See Product Vaginal stenosis treatment Vaginal dilators Vaginal dilators are one of the most common and effective of the vaginal stenosis treatments. When a woman’s birth canal narrows or shortens, vaginal dilators are the perfect tool for returning it to its usual size and shape, or at least a functional size and shape. These amazing little tools work by stretching out the scar tissue (fibrosis) that has formed in the vagina. They can also relax the muscles and ligaments. Dilators are made from smooth plastic or silicone and are shaped like a cylinder. They come in different sizes (from 3” to 6” in length, and varying widths) so you can start out with smaller ones and progress toward the larger ones over time. At VuvaTech we offer dilators with Neodymium magnets, which help blood flow to circulate in the vagina and calm sensitive nerves. If you have had invasive cancer treatment, it is better to allow 2 to 3 weeks to pass after your treatment; you may then start practicing with dilators. We recommend using a dilator three times every week to keep the vagina open, but those who are having regular sex may need to use them less (e.g. once per week). You may find it easiest to leave one inserted while you’re sleeping. Unfortunately, as scarring may continue to form after radiation treatment, you may need to keep using dilators ongoing for maintenance. Water-based lubricants Another common vaginal stenosis symptom is dryness, thanks to the estrogen decline you’ll be experiencing. This is especially problematic if you wish to enjoy a normal sex life. You can easily treat this symptom with a natural, water-based personal lubricant. In fact, you can apply that any time you feel dry and irritated. Finally, any woman suffering from vaginal stenosis will need to pay extra attention to personal hygiene, since it’s quite common for discharge to be a symptom. This really just means changing underwear regularly and cleansing often with gentle, chemical-free products. We hope you have found these suggestions on vaginal stenosis treatments helpful, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the products mentioned, so drop us a line if we can help in any way! 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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Overcoming Fear of Physical Intimacy: Signs, Causes, Treatment
Intimate relationships and feeling comfortable with sexual intimacy are a normal part of life. However, when you become fearful of sexual contact and avoid intimacy, it can result in sabotaging relationships or even not engaging in close relationships at all. You come isolated and alone with your fear of sex. When feeling uncomfortable takes over your life, it’s time to overcome your fear of physical intimacy, so you can truly connect with loved ones. Signs of fearing physical intimacy Intimacy issues usually don't develop overnight, and early signs of fearing physical contact vary by person. But some common symptoms may indicate a fear of sexual intimacy. (1) Not believing in yourself or low self-esteem Lack of trust in others Experience panic attacks Bursts of anger Avoiding physical touch at any cost Unable to form or commit to close relationships Decide to live in isolation Experience constant sexual desire History of unstable relationships Explained or unexplained vaginal pain At times, these signs may seem like they are connected to other issues or relatively obvious. However, when you experience these negative emotions and fears, it's essential to look at the root cause. Causes of fearing physical intimacy Sexual dysfunction can have many causes. It may have to do with past childhood trauma or a physical condition that causes fearing intimacy. Avoidant personality disorder Avoidant personality disorder is sometimes called intimacy anxiety disorder. It’s an anxiety disorder that runs in families and tends to begin in childhood. Environmental factors also play a role in the disorder creation. It affects men and women equally (about 2.5 percent of the population). (2) Avoidant personality disorder has many different symptoms, including: Feeling shy, awkward, and unconfident A dramatic sense of forthcoming problems Sensitivity to criticism Fearing judgment from others Afraid of humiliation Avoiding social gatherings and events The exact reasons for this disorder aren't clear, but rejection or abandonment can trigger the response. See Product See Product See Product See Product Fear of abandonment Abandonment fears can happen due to different circumstances. One of those could be a childhood event, such as a parent leaving or a romantic relationship ending badly. Whatever the case, it causes you to become fearful of losing the person, so you avoid physical intimacy. Past childhood trauma Your childhood plays a pivotal role in your development and behavior as an adult. If you experience sexual abuse or witness sexual violence, you may become fearful of intimate contact. When this happens, you lose trust. Some of the symptoms associated with childhood sexual abuse include the following: Engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviors Lack of sexual desire Hard time becoming aroused Keeping emotional distance during sex Feelings of guilt, anger, and shame when touched or during sex Trouble having an orgasm or erectile dysfunction (ED) Experience physical pain in the vagina Fear of rejection Fear of rejection may cause men and women to fear physical intimacy. It may start because you experienced romantic rejection or grew up in a family where you saw this with one parent. It causes you to avoid engaging in any kind of relationship in fear of being rejected. Genophobia Genophobia is a fear of sexual intercourse. It can begin with sexual trauma or abuse and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or genophobia. It can result from a physical condition, such as vaginismus or vulvodynia. Both conditions cause extreme pain for women in their vagina walls and tissue. Some people also develop genophobia out of fear of germs. (3) Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is a condition that causes burning and stinging pain in the female genital area or vulva. The painful symptoms may be constant or come and go. In some cases, touch, gynecological exam, or penetration triggers the reaction. Vaginismus is a kind of sexual dysfunction that causes women to fear physical intimacy. Vaginismus Vaginismus is one of the most common sexual problems for women. It's the involuntary contraction of the pelvic muscles. For some women, the condition was always present before intercourse, and for others became an issue after becoming sexually active. Eating Disorders According to Psychology Today, an eating disorder causes people to feel depressed, avoid emotional connection, and derive pleasure from intimate relationships. The person views connecting with someone as a loss of control and avoids sexual relationships. (4) Bipolar disorders Bipolar disorder causes people to have extreme changes in mood. The person can move from depression to mania within a few hours or days. Mood fluctuation can either create dissatisfaction with sex or an inability to feel desire or hypersexuality (constant desire for sex). Both cause stress on personal relationships and can lead to a fear of physical intimacy. (5) Treatment of fearing physical intimacy Psychotherapy Psychotherapy helps you to "talk" about your past traumas and find a source of the problem. You can have in-person therapy or online counseling. It's always helpful to speak to a professional to help you overcome your fear of intimacy. (6) Believe in yourself Becoming ashamed or fearful of sexual desires causes you to lose hope. You may also lack the communication skills to explain to those who love you what you're feeling. It may be obvious, but valuing yourself and learning how to communicate helps you overcome your fear. Vaginal dilators If the fear of sexual intimacy comes from vaginismus or vulvodynia, vaginal dilators can help ease the painful symptoms. Vaginal dilators or trainers stretch and lengthen the vagina naturally with no side effects. In a clinical trial, 80% of the participants experience less vaginal pain after using VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators. Relationship issues are hard to overcome for anyone. But when you have a real fear of physical intimacy, it may seem like you'll never have a healthy sex life. Physical contact, love, and affection strengthen your well being. Once you overcome the fear of physical intimacy, you'll be able to have sexual encounters you'll enjoy. 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 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-freedom-change/201504/fear-intimacy-and-closeness-in-relationships https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/avoidant-personality-disorders#1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/phobia-a-to-z https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-food-is-family/201806/eating-disorder-recovery-the-connection-sex-and-intimacy https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324595 https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy
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Coitophobia (Fear of Sexual Intercourse) Causes & Treatments
What is Coitophobia Coitophobia, sometimes called genophobia, is the fear of sexual intercourse. It's more than a simple dislike of sex; it's a condition that can cause irrational fears around any sex or sexual intimacy. The intense fear can become so strong that you avoid romantic relationships at any cost, and even the thought of sexual activity gives you panic attacks. In this guide, we'll discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of coitophobia (fear of intercourse). Causes of coitophobia The causes of coitophobia can range from a past traumatic event to a physical concern like pelvic pain. When you can identify the cause of fearing sexual intercourse, you can then work together with a therapist to design a treatment plan right for you. Sexually abused According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2002, about 150 million girls and 73 million boys (under 18 years) had experienced some form of sexual violence. (1) The statistics show how prevalent sexual abuse is around the world. What they don't show is how harmful sexual abuse is for the child and the detrimental effects on their well being. After being sexually abused, you may become distrustful of relationships, fearful of sexual contact, and develop anxiety and depression. In some cases, you may become suicidal. Generalized anxiety disorder Generalized anxiety disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. It brings about intense fear and worries about everything from losing your keys to worrying about your sexual performance. It can bring about psychological and physical concerns that overtake one's life and places an unbearable weight on relationships. The fears are usually unrealistic and irrational. (2) Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is a type of mental disorder that causes extreme changes in mood. The mental illness can bring about a fear of sex. The person may find sexual intimacy is too painful, embarrassing, or even revolting. Or bipolar can cause the opposite reaction of desiring sex all the time and unable to fully orgasm. (3) Pelvic pain conditions Pelvic pain conditions are more common than people know, and many women around the world experience extreme pain in their pelvic area each year. Sometimes the pain comes and goes and other times the pain is chronic. Some women describe the pain as searing, burning, and stinging. The searing pain can occur in the vulvar area of the vagina (outside of the vaginal opening) and inside the vaginal tissue. There are various types of pelvic pain conditions, including: Vaginismus: It’s the automatic muscle contraction of the vaginal walls. Vulvodynia: It’s chronic vaginal pain with no known cause. Dyspareunia: It's painful sex from medical or psychological issues. Radiation therapy: It can cause painful vaginal scar tissue. Vulvar Vestibulitis: It's an extreme pain during vaginal penetration. Pelvic pain conditions can result in coitophobia or genophobia. The good news is that the fear of sexual intercourse can is possible to overcome with vaginal dilators. See Product See Product See Product See Product Symptoms of coitophobia Symptoms of coitophobia vary from person to person, but some common signs indicate a fear of intercourse. (4) Irrational fears around having sex or becoming intimate Experiencing panic attacks during sexual intimacy Inability to achieve an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED) Mentioning sexual intimacy causes panic Ongoing or intermittent pelvic pain with a known or unknown cause Inability to trust others Living in isolation Struggling with low self-esteem History of abusive relationships Outbursts of intense anger or sadness Treatments of coitophobia The fear of sex has different treatment options available. While overcoming your intense anxiety or panic may not happen overnight, trust you're not without help. For some, turning to a sex therapist is helpful or even using vaginal dilators to overcome the fear of penetration. Behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy is a term to encompass different types of treatment aimed at changing behavior. An example of behavioral therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy. During treatment, the therapist helps you view and understand your irrational fears and self-destructive behaviors differently. (5) Behavioral therapy helps treat all kinds of disorders, from anxiety to coitophobia. Exposure therapy Exposure therapy is a type of psychological treatment designed to help you confront your fears. It’s used to treat all kinds of phobias from social anxiety disorders to coitophobia fear. It works by having the patient relieve the painful or traumatic event or fear and work through it emotionally. (6) You’re “exposed” to the fear, rather than running away or avoiding it. Pelvic floor therapy Being fearful of sexual intimacy is emotional, but it also can have a physical component. If you have explained or unexplained vaginal pain or muscle spasms, you may benefit from pelvic floor therapy. This proven therapy uses vaginal dilators or vaginal stretchers to help ease and lengthen the vaginal walls. If you've had radiation therapy and your vaginal walls have become thin and dry, penetration may be painful. Vaginal Dilators Vaginal dilators provide a healing touch for pelvic pain conditions. A vaginal massage can help you overcome the fear of sexual intercourse. Each vaginal dilator set comes in graduated sizes, making treatment as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Treatment happens in the comfort of your own home at your schedule and pace. It's recommended that you undergo vaginal dilator therapy 2-3 times per week for 20-30 minutes. But you should go at a pace right for you. Sufferers from coitophobia live each day with an extreme fear of sexual intimacy. It can have a negative impact on all areas of their life. For most people, it’s hard to talk about or even admit. Yet, they’re not alone and help is available. Vaginal dilators may be the answer for helping you to experience the joy of sex without all the pain and worry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311357/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311357/ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324595 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-food-is-family/201806/eating-disorder-recovery-the-connection-sex-and-intimacy https://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-therapy https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy 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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Can Food Allergies Cause Vulvodynia?
The saying “you are what you eat” is famous across the world for good reason. That’s because to some extent, it’s usually true! A lot of the health problems we face today are either caused by food, or lack thereof – in particular correct nutrition – and even when illnesses are caused by something else (e.g. environmental toxicity or genetics), food and food allergies can sometimes exacerbate symptoms. Conversely, food can be used as medicine, if you know what you are doing. Since we’re on the topic of vulvodynia, has it ever occurred to you to ask whether food allergies cause vulvodynia? It’s a pertinent question to ask, especially if your goal is to reduce or eliminate your vulvodynia symptoms altogether. In this article we will take a look at the kind of foods that can make vulvodynia worse, and what can be introduced to aid in symptom management or reduction. Can food allergies cause vulvodynia? In a recent article we discussed whether vulvodynia is a chronic illness. It certainly results in chronic pain in many women, so it makes sense to consider the ways in which you may eliminate this pain. Let’s start by looking at the fact that chronic pain is often the result of the body’s failure to process foods we have consumed. Such foods can create and fuel systemic inflammation, and vulvodynia may also respond to food and food allergies. Vulvodynia symptoms affect between 4 and 16% of women, according to the statistics available, and some studies have demonstrated that there is a correlation to their diets. For example, a case study was done on a 28-year-old female athlete who had vulvodynia and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). For seven months she saw a pelvic floor physical therapist for her vulvodynia, but her symptoms were simultaneously addressed with a vegetarian elimination diet. After only two weeks of elimination of certain foods, it became clear that vulvodynia flare-ups were reducing. When specific foods were reintroduced every two weeks, symptoms returned and it was determined that soy, goat dairy, and gluten were responsible for vulvodynia flare-ups. Once these were re-eliminated, after 6 months she was symptom free – from both conditions! See Product See Product See Product See Product Which food allergies cause vulvodynia? It is now clear that there are specific foods that may cause vulvodynia to worsen or flare up. These include (but may not be limited to) the following food products: Meat Dairy products (including goat dairy) Soy products (especially non-fermented/GMO) Gluten Grains Corn Sugar and artificial sweeteners Anything containing (or encouraging proliferation of) yeast Foods high in oxalates (nuts, nut butters, especially almonds and peanuts), and vegetables like beets, beet greens, rhubarb and spinach. It should be noted that most of these foods (excluding oxalates) can be inflammatory and may cause symptoms of inflammation in anyone, but if you have vulvodynia, you may be susceptible to exacerbated vulvodynia pain symptoms. You may wish to reference this study on oxalates, which concluded exactly that. There are no specific dietary recommendations for vulvodynia sufferers, since all women have varying constitutions, diets and lifestyles. Some women may be more sensitive to chemicals and certain foods types than others, but one common link is candidiasis, a yeast overgrowth in the body that results in thrush (vaginal yeast infection). Some women who often get yeast infections have been shown to be more prone to vulvodynia. If you have vulvodynia flare-ups, it may be worth consulting a nutritionist with experience in this area. Which foods and supplements can prevent vulvodynia? Aside from eliminating the above food products that cause vulvodynia symptoms, you may find some benefit in supplementing with the following: Magnesium Vitamin D3 Probiotics Vitamin B12 Omega-3 During the study on the aforementioned athlete, she experienced relief when these supplements were introduced. As always, research suppliers and reviews before purchasing, as not all supplements are created equal. If in doubt, consult a qualified naturopath or nutritionist. As we have said in several of our articles on this condition, treating vulvodynia is often a trial and error approach, but with determination and discipline, you are likely to find the right combination of solutions for you… but now that you know the answer to the question, Can food allergies can cause vulvodynia?, hopefully that’s one more piece of the puzzled solved! 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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Why Is My Uterus Twitching?
What Causes Muscle Spasms in the Pelvic Area? Most of us know well that muscle spasms in any part of the body are at best annoying, and at worst painful. For example, neck or shoulder spasms not only hurt a lot; they can also create tension headaches, but these can be eased by massage. Muscles spasms in the pelvic area are another matter entirely, since it isn’t always easy to access the area and manipulate the muscles. Spasms in this area can lead to genital pain and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The pelvic floor is a complex area consisting of layers of muscle and other tissues. The muscular layers stretch across from the pubic bone to the tailbone. In females, the pelvic floor muscles support the womb, bowel and bladder. If you’re wondering whether pelvic floor muscle spasms are the reason for your discomfort, read on for more information and treatment options… What do pelvic muscle spasms feel like? When your pelvic floor muscles spasm, it can feel like tight bands of muscle. If you’ve ever had a massage you will remember what trigger points feel like – small, tough knots under the skin that are painful to the touch. When pressed firmly, it hurts but they may then release, providing relief soon after. The symptoms of pelvic-floor muscle spasms generally feel like this: Pain or pressure in the vagina or rectum Frequent urges to urinate (or pain when urinating) Obvious muscle spasms (similar sensation to other areas in the body) Dysfunction in the bowel A ‘heavy’ feeling in the pelvic area If you have muscle spasms in the pelvis, you may find that you also experience interstitial cystitis or dyspareunia (painful sex). In men, there is a possibility of experiencing pain after ejaculation, or erectile dysfunction. What causes pelvic muscle spasms? Generally the cause will be a weakened pelvic floor. This might happen due to the following: Childbirth (risk increases with number of births) Lifting heavy objects Straining from constipation Obesity Weakness due to injury Connective tissue disorder Levator syndrome is another possible cause. It is the name for abnormal spasms of pelvic floor muscles in the rectum (the levator ani muscle). Sometimes the cause of this is unknown, but the spasms often happen after a bowel movement and can worsen when seated or laying down. This type of pelvic floor muscle spasm usually results in a feeling of pressure or dull, aching sensations high up in the rectum. The pain may occur and pass quickly, or go on for hours at a time. See Product See Product See Product See Product What can you do to relax the pelvic floor muscles? Some of the main treatments to relieve pelvic muscle spasms are pelvic floor physical therapy, which includes myofascial release, improving posture and pelvic floor muscle stretching. In this instance, the aim is to relax the muscles rather than strengthen them. When experiencing spasms, it is also a good idea to do some breathing exercises, as follows: Lay down on your back with bent knees While inhaling, imagine the abdomen filling with air Relax the pelvic floor by moving the breath downward and lowering the pelvic floor Repeat the process without pausing between breaths In the case of levator syndrome, treatment consists of retraining the pelvic muscles and nervous system. The aim is to calm the pelvic floor area and minimize arousal of the nervous system at the same time. This may be done through pelvic floor physical therapy, and if so will include biofeedback and daily relaxation techniques. You may also want to consider using pelvic wands at home if you can access the muscles that are spasming, since these can put pressure on the muscles for myofascial release. Pelvic floor muscle spasms don’t have to be the bane of your life. With a little know-how and patience, they can be overcome. Don’t forget to check out our other blogs for plenty of advice on pelvic health! Is intercourse painful as well? Learn more about VuVa Vaginal Dilator Therapy and Dyspareunia here. 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 See Product See Product See Product See Product
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Why Does the Speculum Hurt During Examinations?
At some point, most adult women will come into contact with a vaginal speculum during a pelvic examination for health check purposes. This is standard practice during routine cervical cancer screening, for example. Speculums are designed for insertion into the birth canal, which may be uncomfortable but does not usually cause pain. If the speculum hurts during examinations, there may be something wrong. In this article we will look at why the speculum may hurt during a gynecological examination, and what you can do if this is the case. What happens during an examination with a speculum? The vaginal speculum consists of a hollow cylinder with a rounded end that is split into two parts by hinges. It looks a bit like a duck’s bill, and is usually made of metal or plastic. Speculums comes in different sizes, and your Doctor will select one based on your age, the size of your vagina and any known conditions you may have. During a pelvic examination, the Doctor or practitioner will gently insert a speculum into the vagina in order to dilate it. This separates the walls of the vagina, holding them open so that the Doctor can fully access and assess the vagina and cervix. See Product See Product See Product See Product When the speculum might hurt during examinations Speculums may hurt during gynecological examinations if you have any of the below conditions: Vaginismus Vaginismus is characterized by fear of penetration, which generally relates to sexual intercourse. Some women may have severe anxiety at the thought of a pelvic examination too, which also causes the symptoms of vaginismus to flare up; namely muscle contractions and tightening of the birth canal, potentially causing pain. Attempts to penetrate during contractions can worsen the pain considerably. Understandably, pelvic examinations can be stressful for vaginismus sufferers. If you know that you have vaginismus, ensure you visit a physician trained in examining women with this problem. It is possible that the speculum will hurt during your examination, but it may just be uncomfortable. Sometimes asking the Doctor to use more lubricant and take their time may help. Vaginal Atrophy The main symptoms of vaginal atrophy are dryness, irritation, and painful intercourse. Menopausal and post menopausal women often develop this, since the estrogen supply to the vagina decreases during this time. In non-menopausal women, the estrogen decline may be due to chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can also lead to vaginal stenosis. If decreased vaginal depth or capacity is present, it is important that your Doctor knows this before a pelvic exam; otherwise the speculum may hurt you during the examination. Vulvodynia Vulvodynia is the term for chronic vulvar pain. Symptoms are typically severe burning, pain, irritation, itching, or stinging in the vulva area. You are likely to know if you have this condition, whether you have an official diagnosis or not. Make sure that you inform your examiner well ahead of the examination. If you have vulvodynia, your Doctor will carefully evaluate the appearance and structure of your vulva, before gently touching areas of it with a Q-tip to locate sensitivity. This in itself can be painful, so ask your Doctor to explain what they are going to do before each step. For women with vulvodynia, the speculum can cause a lot of pain during examination. If the examination is too painful or causing distress, it may need to be postponed until successful treatment is underway, unless it is urgent. Lichen Sclerosus Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a disorder of the vaginal skin in which it thins, whitens, and wrinkles. Symptoms also include pain, soreness and chronic itching. LS most often presents in postmenopausal women. The skin can become sore if it tears or breaks down in any way, which can happen during in a pelvic examination. If you have been diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus, the speculum may well hurt you at a gynecological examination. It is important to inform your examiner, or insist on being examined by a Doctor with experience in this in order to minimize pain and prevent tearing. See Product See Product See Product See Product What to do if the speculum is hurting you Don’t suffer in silence! Let the doctor know the speculum hurts during your examination. This way they will be able to slow down, change the size of the speculum, use more lubricant or even halt the examination if necessary. A speculum should not damage or injure you if your Doctor is trained, but if you are undiagnosed, the chances are higher that you’ll experience pain at the very least. Being open and honest about your condition or the symptoms you feel is imperative. If you suspect you have a pelvic pain problem but are unsure what (or you don’t know who to consult), we can help you to find a pelvic pain specialist. To learn more about Pelvic Pain conditions Click Here
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7 Helpful Tips to Using Dilators Successfully, #2 Is the Most Important
The 7 Most Used Tips on How to use Dilators Successfully - Vaginal discomfort during sexual penetration, even if you desire intimacy can happen. In fact, it occurs more often than people suspect. Sometimes this means you need further stimulation to improve sexual intercourse, but for others, painful vaginal penetration could indicate a more profound medical condition. Often times, doctors and medical professionals in sexual medicine, prescribe vaginal dilators. Although medicines and surgeries are common too, but may come with some adverse side effects. Using dilators as physical therapy is medically proven to help ease sexual discomfort, pain associated with pelvic exams, and improve female sexuality. Using a vaginal dilator can bring up fear and anxiety too. You now have to use an unfamiliar device in already sensitive vaginal tissue. You may find yourself asking, Will I use it wrong? Can I cause any side effects? Does it really work? All of these questions are normal, and many women have expressed these concerns to their physical therapists and doctors. In this article, we give you seven helpful tips on how to use dilators successfully. 1) Start slowly with your dilation Many women need vaginal dilators because of issues related to having undergone pelvic radiation therapy during cancer treatment, going through menopause, or have a pelvic pain condition. Regardless of the reason for needing dilator therapy, starting slow is vital. For some, wanting to "fix" the problem immediately drives them to take on too much at once. The desire for pain-free sex life or even having a pap smear without muscle tension, compels them to rush into dilator therapy and spend hours each day trying to stretch and lengthen their vaginal canals. It's important to remember to be patient and start dilator therapy, knowing that it takes time, but eventually, you'll be successful. 2) Getting into the mood - relax before dilating Vaginal dilator therapy works best when you get into the mood. Try to think of it like having a date with your sexual health. While dilators are not a sex toy, they do help with muscle relaxation and improve women's sex lives. Some therapists recommend thinking about your ideal sexual experience and creating a mental space reflecting this image. Better yet, create an atmosphere with beautiful, relaxing music. Light your favorite candles scented with essential oils like lavender and chamomile, to further set the mood. Remember that success is a mindset, and before each session, create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere to help stretch the elasticity of your pelvic floor muscles naturally. See Product See Product See Product See Product 3) Privacy between you and your dilator is best Just as setting the mood is essential in female sexual medicine using vaginal dilators, so is privacy. You'll want to be in a place that feels safe and comfortable. For some, this could mean the warm cocoon of their own bed. Others may wish to have a designated area for dilator treatment, such as a special corner in a room with comfortable pillows and low lighting. Also, you want to make sure you won't be interrupted or feel like you have to hurry. If you think someone will come home or call while inserting the vaginal dilator, you might consciously or unconsciously create further muscle tension. Being encased in a private space without fear of interruptions will aid with relaxing your pelvic floor, so you can have the life you deserve. 4) Practice the therapy every day Easing pelvic pain takes time and consistent therapy. Perhaps, think about it like daily exercises for women. It's essential that you create the habit of dilator therapy. Even if you can only carve out a few minutes per day at first, using a vaginal dilator consistently improves women's health and female sexuality over time. As it becomes a habit, you’ll be able to increase the amount of time each week undergoing dilator therapy. Health care practitioners recommend women use the dilator 7-14 times per week. That is roughly 1-2 times per day. At first, you may only be able to use the dilator for a few minutes, but as you learn to relax and enjoy your therapy, you’ll slowly reach 20-30 minutes per session. 5) Size matters Another consideration for practicing every day is the dilator size. In the beginning, you'll want to start off small and work your way up to larger sizes. At first, a small size dilator might cause extreme pain and discomfort. Never go over a 3 or 4 pain level out of 10 when you are dilating. Some women ask how long it will take to move up in size? It depends on your condition and your bodies response, everyone is different. Some women struggle with even inserting a small-sized tampon into their vaginas. Wherever you are in the process, it’s okay. And what will help is practicing every day with the right size for your vagina. When you choose the right dilator for yourself, you might want to order ones with multiple sizes. Some kits from VuVatech come with five size options and complimentary lubricant. You won’t know what size is right for you unless you have the choice to try a few smaller sizes at first. VuVatech also offers a lesser priced option of two dilators. You can pick any two sized dilators you want. For example, you can choose a smaller sized option and one larger one for when your vagina is properly relaxed and stretched. 6) Keep your eye on the prize - Less Pain Women start dilator therapy for different reasons. For some, it’s vaginal stenosis as the result of pelvic radiation and wanting to have a healthy sex life again. Others have sexual pain or dyspareunia from vaginal atrophy. In the end, the reason for starting and continuing dilator therapy doesn't matter because the end goal is the same — a life without painful penetration. This is why staying focused on the prize will help you be successful. It takes time and daily practice to slowly lengthen and stretch your vaginal tissue. You may also need sex therapy, where you can release fear and stress by talking about sex with a trained professional. Remember to stay focused on healing and let go of feeling like it's your fault. 7) Use the dilator correctly While the above tips help use dilators successfully, it's also vital that you use them correctly during the therapy. Therapy should begin in a quiet and private room. Set a time you won't be interrupted, then follow the following steps to ensure dilator therapy works the best. Lie down on your back with pillows propped around you for comfort. In the prone position, bend your knees and spread your legs apart. Before inserting, cover the dilator with a water-based lubricant. Slowly insert the dilator into the vagina. The end is tapered to make insertion easier. It’s not about how far you can insert the dilator into your vagina but how comfortable you feel. As mentioned previously, take as much time as you need and only go as far as your pain threshold will allow. Take slow and calming breaths to help ease muscle tension. As you use the VuVa™ Vaginal Dilator, remain lying on your back. Try to leave it in for 20-30 minutes or longer before removing it. You can set a timer to make it easier to meet the time goal. Benefits of dilator therapy While benefits vary from women to women, dilator therapy has been proven to provide the following outcomes when used appropriately: Allowing for painless vaginal penetration by training pelvic floor muscle relaxation Helping women overcome the fear of sexual penetration Improved sexual comfort during intercourse by healing scarring from radiation therapy or from the narrowing or shortening of the vagina Easing muscle tension and spasms associated with vaginismus Allowing for the insertion of tampons Improving comfort during gynecological examinations Reducing pain associated with Vulvodynia Helping breast cancer patients who have uterine scarring from pelvic radiation Overcoming fear of intimacy for those with lichen sclerosus Are there any side effects? Using a vaginal dilator is safe to use. Doctors don’t recommend using them during radiation therapy, after surgery or during sexual activity. You’ll need to wait until your completely healed before undergoing dilator therapy. Some possible side effects might be light spotting or bleeding after a dilator session. If the bleeding continues for longer than a day or is excessive call your doctor. But overall dilators are considered extremely safe to use. Where can I order dilators? When choosing a vaginal dilator, choose one made from high-quality materials, from a company you trust. VuVa™ Vaginal Dilators come in graduated sizes and storage cases. You have the choice between traditional dilators made of medical-grade plastic or ones with Neodymium magnets. Magnetic vs. Non-magnetic dilators Regular or more traditional dilators have been used to help heal pelvic pain for decades. While most dilators are made from plastic, magnetic dilators only offered through VuVatech, use Neodymium magnets to help alleviate pelvic floor pain. Neodymium is a member of the Rare Earth magnet family and considered one of the most powerful magnets in the world. In a double-blind clinical trial, overseen by Dr. Michael Swor, 80% of the participants using magnetic vaginal dilators, reported a reduction in painful penetration. Also, anxiety levels decreased significantly, and subjects expressed feeling much more confident about their sexual health after using the magnetic dilators. So while regular dilators are still beneficial for most women, magnetic dilators promote a more confident woman with less pain associated with vaginal penetration on the whole. Additional considerations for using dilators successfully When it comes to using a dilator successfully, there are some other key considerations to think about before and during dilator therapy, including: Involvement of partner with dilator therapy to help them understand conditions Reduction of vaginal lubrication due to menopause and/or removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) may cause you to need more lubrication to dilate Menopause causing thinning of vaginal tissues causing you to need estrogen therapy Therapy or counseling for possible associated emotional issues Medications and surgery only when all other treatment options have been exhausted Sexual health is an essential quality-of-life concern; improving that health is a top priority for many women. Vaginal dilators are an effective nonprescription method to promote vaginal health. With daily practice and a positive mindset, vaginal dilation therapy can result in the elimination of painful penetration caused by vaginal stenosis, vaginismus, and other medical conditions. Before using a dilator, ask your medical practitioner for advice. 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. See Product See Product See Product See Product Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
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Made in the USA
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.
