Vaginal Dilators: How to Use Dilation Products

The ABCs of dilators

A vaginal dilator is a device used as a form of vaginal therapy where a static magnetic field helps increase elasticity and expand the inner walls of the vaginal lining.

The purpose of dilators

The purpose of vaginal dilators is to regenerate vaginal capacity by expanding directly upon the vaginal walls. It relaxes the localized area by increasing blood flow so that the nerves in these painful areas are calmer and more conducive to healing. Dilators can help those women who suffer from vaginal atrophy after painful intercourse or recurring pain during intercourse, as is the case with dyspareunia and other conditions.

Dilators in healthcare

For decades, vaginal dilators have served women's health by relaxing vaginal tissue and stimulating blood flow to the area, directing fresh oxygenated blood to the nerves where it is needed most.

Doctors use vaginal dilators to help their patients relax their vaginal canal before conducting pelvic exams. However, dilators are also used before intercourse to diminish the pain associated with vestibular sensitivity, more commonly referred to as vaginal entrance pain or vulvar vestibulitis . Vaginal entrance pain is one of the most prevalent disorders that affect a woman at a reproductive age. 

Dilators for home therapy

Also, many women have used vaginal dilators as a home therapy to reduce inflammation and pelvic muscle clenching, which can cause a considerable amount of damage over time.

Vaginal dilators help with: an involuntary contraction of muscles, vaginismus, burning pain at the outside or entrance of the vaginal canal, vulvodynia, and even post-chemotherapy. However, they should be used carefully and with a healthcare provider so as not to over aggravate the vaginal canal walls. Dilators are a relatively safe therapy to perform at home. 

What are the benefits of dilator therapy on a patient?

Vaginal dilator therapy will add elasticity by lengthening the soft tissue in and around the vagina. Through scientific testing, VuVa Neodymium Magnetic Dilators have been clinically proven; in a trial conducted by Chief Investigator and Pelvic Pain specialist Dr. Michael Swor in Sarasota, Florida, vaginal dilators reduced pain in 80% of subjects without any side effects reported.

Magnets in Dilators

On the inside of each dilator are multiple Neodymium Magnets that aid in relaxing the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. These magnets form a safe magnetic field while dilating. As the tissues relaxe, the Neodymium magnets increase blood flow to the painful area calming nerves. VuVa™ Dilators are the only patented dilators available with Neodymium magnets.

Dilators and sexual comfort

A woman can use vaginal dilators or vaginal trainers to ease sexual discomfort by relaxing the pelvic floor muscle and ligaments and address vestibular sensitivity, which is an especially problematic symptom from pelvic floor disorders that cause inflammation and muscle clenching.

What is the best way to use a vaginal dilator?

Using a vaginal dilator should feel natural. The first thing that you should do is lubricate the dilator and the vaginal canal opening with a safe, water based lubricant, do not use petroleum jelly. The best lubricant to use is one made for pelvic floor physical therapy. We recommend using the Slippery Stuff brand.

Then, choose a private relaxing place, ideally your bed, and lie on your back or in the fetal position for greater comfort and relaxation. By bending your knees and spreading your legs apart, you'll be opening the vaginal canal. Remember to take slow breaths and make a point of relaxing your entire body. You can also play relaxing music and light a candle. Make sure you have privacy so you can relax fully. (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. February 23, 2021) 

Length of time to use a dilator

Once you're in this relaxing state, you should introduce the vaginal dilator as deep as you can and leave it there for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Don't worry if you don't make it to 20 minutes. That is perfectly normal, especially on your first attempt. The important thing is that you don't feel too much pain. If you can only do two minutes your first session for the first week, that is fine. Dilate at your own pace and work your way up slowly. Please do not walk around with it inside.

Once stimulated, the magnets send soothing energy through the body. This means when the negative north side of a magnet is placed next to a painful area, it draws fresh oxygenated blood to the nerves and surrounding muscles. This is a positive energy field. The positive energy field creates two results: as magnets are alkaline, it counteracts any acidity in the body caused by disease and fresh blood helps to remove any acidity from the body which accelerates healing while reducing pain.

What dilator size is best?

Starting with the smallest size is strongly recommended. At first, introduce the tip to get an idea of how it feels. Many ladies think it is a bit strange. That is perfectly normal and is why you should start with the smallest size and work your way up. Moving up in size should only be done once you feel comfortable.

It is important to remain in constant communication with your pelvic floor physical therapist to establish if certain pain is associated with the pelvic floor muscles.

Washing a dilator

Washing a vaginal dilator is easy; just use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Vanicream Bar soap works very well. Afterward, simply let them air dry.

How do you choose the best vaginal dilators for dilation therapy?

Dilator users should choose vaginal dilators carefully. For instance, vaginal dilators come in a variety of sizes. When you consult with your healthcare provider, they will consult with you on what size dilator that will be the most beneficial for you and your body. 

Starting with a size dilator that you can introduce with ease is the best way to start, especially at first, as many ladies do hold a certain degree of fear about the feelings that come along with this type of therapy. Dilator therapy is safe and no negative side effects have been reported with VuVa Magnetic Dilators.

Vaginal dilator sets

Although single dilators are available, the best route to take if you're serious about achieving your desired results is to opt for a combo or a full vaginal dilator set designed to allow you to work your way up in size to achieve intercourse.

In most instances, vaginal dilators are made up of pieces of plastic or silicone. However, more advanced vaginal dilators use neodymium magnets, such as VuVa Dilators. A full VuVa dilator set of five dilators has more than 60 individual magnets. The extremely safe neodymium magnets in VuVa dilators are among the most powerful permanent magnets in existence due to their makeup of Neodymium, Boron, and Iron.

Dilation therapy is safe for pelvic floor muscles

Vaginal Dilators are used regularly by doctors and health care providers in the medical profession to help their patients. For example, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists (Krychman, M. 2020, November 4)

use them in treatment protocols, along with manual therapy methods to relax the pelvic floor muscles in their patients.

Bear in mind that different treatments work differently depending on the person. Be sure to take your time and relax, rotating the dilator slightly so the magnetic field can promote healing and blood flow.  VuVa Dilators are made in Sarasota, FL  with medical grade materials. 

What safety issues are associated with vaginal dilators?

A small amount of vaginal bleeding is normal after using the dilator, but still tell your doctor or therapist if you are concerned. However, if you are quite prone to urinary tract infections or UTIs, you may want to urinate before and after using this device.

There have yet to be any unsafe health issues or side effects reported as a result of using VuVa Magnetic Dilators. However, you should consult with your doctor before using one to make sure.

You shouldn't use a vagina dilator if you're in extreme pain while dilating. Consult with your doctor to get pain under control first.  Also, you shouldn't use magnetic dilators if you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other medical device. Pregnant people, or those who are trying to become pregnant, shouldn't use them. Also, if you have any open or bleeding wounds, you should wait to use them until after you heal. (OBG Manag. December 24th 2012)

Closing Instructions 

Vaginal dilators help improve the lives of women and women's health in several ways. Some use it before engaging in intercourse to relax the muscles and avoid problems that may arise through strain. In this way, they increase comfort and decrease the anxiety they feel concerning sexual intercourse.

This increased comfort results from greater and healthier blood flow to the pelvic floor area before and after engaging in physical intimacy. It helps take the fear of penetration away. 

As a result, thousands of women have gained more confidence in the bedroom and hold a more positive outlook towards their sexual health and personal relationships as they manage their pain and discomfort in a direct safe manner that makes penetration, in particular, more natural.

Vaginal dilators are also used to help a woman heal from pain arising from different conditions related to pelvic floor dysfunction, like vaginismus, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, vaginal atrophy  and other painful penetration disorders. In trial testing, 4 in 5 women using this device found a decrease in pain related to their unknown pelvic nerve pain. Moreover, 1 in 3 women reported decreased pain levels when applied to a standard tampon test, which is performed by doctors to determine severity of pelvic pain conditions. 

When dilator therapy is used with a health care provider, vaginal dilator trainers can help ameliorate discomfort in the vagina and anxiety related to sex. A health care provider, such as a physical therapist, can help women improve sexual comfort in penetration and vaginal health through using vaginal dilators.

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

Resources

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (February 23, 2021). How to Use a Vaginal Dilator. Https://Www.Mskcc.Org. Retrieved June 29, 2021, from https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/how-use-vaginal-dilator

https://www.mdedge.com/obgyn/article/64957/menopause/vaginal-dilation-when-its-indicated-and-tips-teaching-it

Krychman, M. (2020, November 4). Vaginal dilators: A guide for health care professionals. Https://Www.Contemporaryobgyn.Net. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/vaginal-dilators-a-guide-for-health-care-professionals