At a Glance: Managing Atrophy with Pelvic Floor Training
The Goal: Restore tissue elasticity and comfort through gradual, consistent pelvic floor exercises.
Material Safety: Stick to medical-grade silicone or smooth polycarbonate to protect delicate tissues.
The Vuva Difference: Our patented Neodymium magnetic technology is designed to support natural blood flow and soothing relief—a feature not found in standard training sets.
Expert Tip: Always start with the smallest size and a high-quality, water-based lubricant to ensure a pain-free experience.
Vaginal atrophy, a common condition often associated with menopause and aging, can lead to significant discomfort, dryness, and a decrease in overall quality of life. For many women, the thinning of vaginal walls makes intimacy or even daily movement feel painful. However, innovative solutions like Pelvic Floor Training Sets offer a path toward relief and restored comfort.
If you have been searching for the best tools to manage atrophy, you’ve likely realized that not all trainers are created equal. This guide dives deep into how to choose the right pelvic floor trainers for your specific needs, backed by our experience helping over 250,000 women regain their vaginal wellness.
Understanding Vaginal Atrophy (GSM)
Vaginal atrophy, now often referred to as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), occurs when estrogen levels decrease. This leads to the thinning and inflammation of the vaginal tissues. Common signs include:
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Dryness or burning sensations
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Tightness during intimacy
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Discomfort during daily activities
By using a graduated pelvic floor training system, you can gently encourage the tissue to become more flexible and resilient again.
Experiencing Discomfort with Vaginal Atrophy? Here's What to Look For
The symptoms associated with Vaginal Atrophy, also known as GSM, are often uncomfortable and can vary significantly from person to person. Here's what you need to keep an eye on:
- Pain or burning sensations during urination
- Itchiness in the genital or vulvar area
- Dryness in the vulvar and vaginal regions
- Increased cases of urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Painful intercourse
- Light bleeding after sexual activity
- Unusual tightening of the vagina
- Frequent urination or the urgent need to urinate
- Diminished natural lubrication during intercourse
Don't brush off these signs; it's crucial to acknowledge and address any discomfort associated with vaginal atrophy.
What Are Vaginal Dilators?
Vaginal dilators are medical devices designed to stretch the vaginal muscles, alleviate discomfort, and facilitate easier and less painful sexual intercourse. They come in various sizes and materials, offering a non-invasive way to treat and manage symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Dilators
When selecting a vaginal dilator, consider:
- Size: Starting with a size that feels comfortable is crucial, with the option to progress to larger sizes as needed. Here is a size chart for reference.
- Material: Plastic dilators allow for magnets to be inside that create blood flow and help with natural lubrication. Plastic dilators are easy to clean. Make sure they are made in the USA with FDA approved material for your safety.
- Comfort: Look for dilators with a smooth surface to ensure the most comfortable experience.
Top Dilator Brands Reviewed
Several brands stand out in the market for their quality and effectiveness:
- VuVa™ Magnetic Vaginal Dilators: This brand's unique magnetic technology was shown in a double-blind placebo study to significantly reduce pain and discomfort for 80% of participants. Users experienced a 30% decrease in pain levels during a standardized tampon test, indicating a substantial improvement in pain associated with sexual intercourse.
- Other Brands: While this post focuses on VuVa™ due to its evidence-based success, there are numerous other options available. It's important to research and find the one that best meets your individual needs.
Using Dilators: A Step-by-Step Guide
Directions Before Using your VuVa™ Vaginal Dilators
- Wash dilators with a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Let the dilators air dry. Vanicream Bar soap is a good option to clean dilators with.
To Get Started
- In a private and comfortable place, lay on your back and put both knees up with your feet on the bed (no wider than your hips) or lay on your side and pull your legs up with a pillow between your knees.
- Lubricate the smallest VuVa™ Vaginal Dilator and vagina canal opening generously with a lubricant your choice. IMPORTANT: Do not use petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline). Slippery Stuff is water based and does not cause irritation. Keep all the dilators within reach.
- Finding the right size VuVa™ Vaginal Dilator can be tricky. If you find that you can only tolerate the tip going inside when using the smallest dilator, that’s ok and is not uncommon. However, if that is the case, it may be best that you start with the exercises (See the instructions below). Please do not force the dilator inside.
- Using gentle pressure, insert the smaller round end of the smallest dilator into your vagina. Make sure that the dilator shaft is inserted as deeply as is comfortable for you. Do not insert entire dilator -- leave the larger, round, flat end outside of vaginal opening.
- If there’s no discomfort (you can put the little one inside, squeeze and let go around it on the inside like you’re holding back gas and pee and take it out without any pain or irritation – not even a little bit), you need to use the next size bigger.
- You’re looking for minimal pain when you put the dilator in the vagina (pain level not more than a 1-2/10, with 0/10 being no pain and 10/10 the worst pain ever) —the type that you might just describe as “annoying” or “uncomfortable.” Moderate pain (pain levels 4-6/10) is too much, and severe pain (pain levels 7-10) should be avoided.
- Once you’ve found the proper size, please use your dilator 5-20 minutes twice/day. When you can actively insert and remove the dilator as well as contract and relax around it with no discomfort, move up to the next size.
IMPORTANT - WOMEN: Do not walk around with dilator inserted. Do not use dilators during sexual intercourse. Do not sleep with dilator inserted.
- Wash the vaginal dilators after use with mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Let them air dry. (2)
Use a VuVa™ 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.
How much will I need to use my dilator when I reach my desired size?
Everyone is different. You need to be having intercourse or dilating to keep the muscles from atrophying as you get older. If you are having intercourse without pain more frequently, you might not need to dilate as much, or at all. Your body will let you know if you need to continue, and how much you need. Some have more severe atrophy than others, so let your body guide you. If you have Vaginismus/Vulvodynia nerve pain or tightness, you might have to use it every time before intercourse, but some others may not need to use it at all once the pain subsides. Everyone has different nerve pain pathways and triggers that cause good and bad days. Let your body tell you how much you need to dilate for your maintenance program.
Tips for Long-Term Success
Beyond dilator therapy, consider:
- Pelvic Floor Therapy: Regular visits with a pelvic floor therapist can help with atrophic vaginitis.
- Additional Treatments: Discuss other treatments like estrogen therapy with your healthcare provider.
- Regular Check-Ups: Keep in touch with your healthcare provider to monitor progress and make adjustments as needed.
Expert Opinions
The Mayo Clinic highlights the importance of vaginal dilators in treating atrophy, stating, "If painful sex is a concern, vaginal dilators may relieve vaginal discomfort by stretching the vagina." They recommend dilators as an effective nonhormonal treatment option, possibly in addition to estrogen therapy for severe symptoms. (1)
"What 250,000 Women Have Taught Us About Atrophy"
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“One common mistake we see is users starting with a size too large. For atrophy, the tissue is often delicate; we always recommend starting with our smaller dilators and using a high-quality, water-based lubricant.”
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“Many of our customers find that 'warming' the trainer in a bowl of warm water for 2 minutes before use makes the process much more comfortable.”
Conclusion
Vaginal atrophy doesn't have to define your sexual health or diminish your quality of life. With the right dilator, a consistent routine, and support from healthcare professionals, you can reclaim comfort and confidence. The VuVa™ Magnetic Vaginal Dilators study offers promising evidence that with the right approach, pain and discomfort can be significantly reduced, leading to a more positive outlook on sexual health.
Whether you're exploring dilator therapy for the first time or looking to switch brands, remember that you're taking a powerful step towards better vaginal health.
Resources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352294
- https://www.vuvatech.com/pages/vaginal-dilator-how-to-use
About the Author: Tara Langdale-Schmidt
Tara Langdale-Schmidt is the inventor of the patented VuVa™ Magnetic Pelvic Floor Trainers and the founder of VuVa Tech. After her own personal battle with debilitating pelvic pain and Vulvar Vestibulitis, Tara dedicated her life to creating non-invasive, drug-free solutions for women. Since 2014, her patented Neodymium magnetic technology has helped over 250,000 women regain their quality of life and intimacy. Her work has been featured in leading health publications and is trusted by pelvic floor physical therapists worldwide.
