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Why Don’t ALL Doctors Tell Women About Pelvic Floor Therapy?
Pelvic floor issues are becoming increasingly common in modern times. According to a national survey, nearly a quarter of American women have a pelvic floor disorder these days, so you would think that Doctors would be quick to mention pelvic floor therapy… however, it doesn’t seem to be the case. As a result many women suffer in silence or feel that they’ve hit a brick wall when it comes to finding out how to treat their issues. The pelvic floor consists of a network of muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissues. In women, this crucial network supports the bladder, womb, vagina and rectum and ensures proper function of all. When things go wrong, a woman can suffer from issues such as incontinence and vaginal prolapse. These are worst-case scenarios that can be triggered by childbirth and other traumas in this area. However, the pelvic floor can become dysfunctional through stress, over-exercising, or not exercising at all, resulting in pelvic floor muscle tightness or weakened muscles. Below we will look into the reasons why Doctors don’t tell women about pelvic floor therapy as often as they should: Why Doctors don’t tell women about pelvic floor therapy There are a few reasons for this. Some healthcare professionals aren’t quite up to speed with the statistics that are available on the prevalence of this problem. This is exacerbated by the fact that women don’t always report some of the symptoms because they’re shy or embarrassed, so recorded statistics may not be as high as they should be. Some Doctors are under the impression that women don’t often get pelvic floor disorders, and because those can be pretty minor at times, they may not be given as much attention as they deserve. The issue isn’t always vocalized even when Doctors are aware of it, perhaps because they are inclined to avoid putting ideas in women’s heads and causing worry about something that may not be at the root of their problems at all. There is one bigger reason that Doctors don’t always tell women about pelvic floor therapy though: despite the importance of this muscle group, many Doctors (and even gynecology experts) don’t fully understand how it works. Even obstetrics and gynecology professors have been known to admit that the physiology is considered as complex as the human brain, heart or gut. The main difference is that the latter body parts function involuntarily. Many of these experts consider this part of the body to be mysterious and are aware that there is a lot more anatomical knowledge yet to be uncovered. The reasons for avoidance get increasingly complex For one thing, as the pelvic floor system is buried beneath the pelvis, it is not possible to access the area. Add to this the fact that it is intertwined with connective tissues and nerves, and GPs may have a bit of a puzzle on their hands. With this and the above problems in mind, it’s not hard to work out why Doctors might prefer to avoid the topic of pelvic floor physical therapy. What’s more, historically more attention was given to issues within the male anatomy, and female anatomy was viewed as a kind of variation of this. This may not be how things are these days, but in some areas of study there is clearly still a bit of a delay in catching up. This seems to be the case when it comes to the pelvic floor. Finally, due to the lack of public discussion on women’s pelvic floor issues, funding hasn’t been prioritized for research into this area. It would also take more effort to get Congress to grant such a thing when there are many more pressing medical issues (perception-wise, at least) to resolve. Having said all of this, the tides may be turning, albeit gradually. There are now plenty of specialists in pelvic floor therapy waiting to help. Therefore, if you suspect you may have some pelvic floor muscle problems, you can ask your Doctor to refer you to one, and you’ll be much more likely to get a definitive answer as to what your problem is. We have written several articles on the pelvic floor and pelvic floor physical therapy, so you’ll simply need to search ‘pelvic floor’ via our search bar and you’ll find a wealth of informative articles. 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 Does Sex Hurt Me? 4 Possible Dyspareunia Causes
No woman wants to have to ask this question, but sadly it’s a very common one. Why does sex hurt? It should be a pleasurable and connective experience, but if anything is going to get in the way of that, it’s pain (or fear). The question of why sex hurts may have a range of possible answers. Dyspareunia is the name for painful sex, and you may experience dyspareunia because of physical or psychological issues. In this article we will do our best to help you understand why sex hurts you so that you are well equipped to do something about it. So let’s get to straight to the point… Why does sex hurt? The causes of painful sex are not always immediately easy to pinpoint, but you should be able to get a proper diagnosis provided you see a qualified healthcare professional. If the reasons for painful sex are not obvious or you haven’t managed to find a solution, you really should. Below are four of the most common reasons sex hurts: Inflammation Inflammation is a common cause of dyspareunia. If sex hurts you, there may be an underlying inflammatory condition of infection, so the painful sex could be a symptom of that. A good example would be a yeast infection (thrush), which can cause irritation and tenderness in the affected tissues. You may also want to be checked over for sexually transmitted diseases, as a number of those could cause irritation and inflammation. Pudendal neuralgia Although it is not as common as some other causes of dyspareunia, pelvic nerve damage can result in pain during sex. Nerve pains tend to feel different to irritated tissues; it may be worth reading up on pudendal neuralgia and if any of the symptoms match up, contacting your Doctor is a good idea. Vaginal atrophy Women who have been through the menopause may find that sex hurts. Whether the menopause came early or as a result of chemotherapy or similar cancer treatments, the result can be the same. When a woman goes through the menopause her estrogen levels gradually decline. This can result in thinner skin that tears easily, or lubrication diminishing. There are actually a whole host of vaginal atrophy symptoms that might make sex painful. Likewise, invasive surgical procedures like hysterectomies might damage pelvic muscles, so sex can be painful after that. Hormonal decline might lead to loss of libido too, and trying to force it when you don’t feel like it may result in pain. Vaginismus For various reasons, women can have a fear of penetration of any kind, and often sex in particular. If sex hurts you, it is worth considering whether you have any negative associations with it, or fears around it. If you have vaginismus your vaginal muscles are likely to contract and spasm, or make the birth canal completely clamp shut, which in itself can cause pain. Attempting intercourse when in this state may cause even more pain. Generally vaginismus needs to be treated psychologically, physically or both at the same time, so do consult your healthcare practitioner to get a vaginismus diagnosis. What to do if sex hurts If sex hurts, try not to just ignore the problem. These things don’t often go away without some kind of intervention, even if that intervention is something you do in the privacy of your home. For example, lots of women are able to overcome sexual issues and pain conditions using vaginal dilators, but it is still sensible to see a Doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions - just to be on the safe side. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our products, and don’t forget that we have a blog full of useful information on all kinds of women’s sexual health issues. It may help to keep in mind that dyspareunia need not be the bane of your life… women overcome it all the time, and you will too. 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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Sex hurt me, and this is how VuVa Dilators changed that
An uplifting testimonial written by one of our wonderful customers. Sex is possible, VuVa can help. Have you ever noticed in movies or in your favorite TV show that at the start of any sex scene, the woman is ready to go in 3 seconds or less? There’s very little foreplay. She’s hungry for it and her body is ready. As a society, I think both men and women have come to expect it to work this way. And maybe it does for some women. I’m certainly not one of them. I used to avoid watching anything with a hot and steamy sex scene. Not because I didn’t like it, but because that’s not what sex looked like or felt like for me. I was jealous and embarrassed. I was afraid of watching those scenes with a partner because it might shine a giant spotlight on how truly broken I believed myself to be. If you roll the camera on my journey with sex over the years, you’d see a lot of awkward conversations where I explain to my soon to be new partner that there’s something wrong with me and I have a hard time with sex. You’d see an exhausting amount of mediocre foreplay (and some very good foreplay), and a cringe-worthy 20 minutes where I wince and silently shed tears through the pain that feels like someone is forcefully knocking down a door with a sledgehammer to get to the fire inside my vagina. After twenty years of a sexually somewhat-active lifestyle, a patient and loving husband who has a hard time watching me in pain, and a desire to have a baby, I finally asked my doctor why sex hurts for me. She did a few extra things during the normal exam and concluded that there was nothing wrong with me. Great. So how do we explain this burning pain I feel? How do we explain the fact that my husband couldn’t penetrate me on the night of our wedding because the pain was too intense for me? This devastating conclusion left me on a wild internet search (incognito of course), desperate to find if there’s just one other person on this planet who might have the same problem as me. My search led me to VuvaTech, and specifically the magnetic vaginal dilators. I felt like I had entered a fantasy world, a place where the sun always shines, the flowers are always in bloom. It felt like I was greeted by fairies who sat me down, handed me a glass of my favorite wine, caressed my shoulders, put a warm hand on the side of my face, looked me in the eyes, and gently said in the most calming voice, “you are not alone, there are others here just like you.” I began to devour every inch of the website, reading product descriptions, every single review, and the owner and creator’s own personal journey. As I typed out my credit card number, I thought to myself, “this probably won’t work, but it gives me hope, and right now, I’m willing to ride on hope alone.” I remember the day the dilators arrived, I wanted to see exactly how big they were. From the pictures online, I was comforted thinking that the set would resemble plastic dildos, but I also hoped they would be much smaller. As I unpacked the box, I noticed that each dilator was slightly longer and wider in circumference from the last, starting with a moderately small size. And each one had a comfortable disc like base which I would later find to be very useful in using a rotating back and forth motion to insert the dilators. I had ordered sizes 2-4, but after viewing them, I decided I wanted the full set. So I ordered sizes 1 and 5, and patiently awaited their arrival. I’ll be honest, I was terrified to use them. I didn’t mind waiting for the next shipment to arrive. Not only had I struggled with sex my entire adult life, I also failed miserably the few times I tried to use a tampon. And by this point, I had not attempted to have sex in a very long time, it just became easier to not try. I counted my blessings in my life and repeatedly told myself and my husband that we'd try to figure it out another day. Each time I thought about how I wanted to get back to it, I cringed at the memory of pain and discomfort from the last time we tried. Ordering the dilators was a good step in the right direction, but I knew this was going to be a challenge. The first time I used the dilators, I did well. I used size 1 with ease. While it was easy, I was glad I had it, because it helped prepare me (and give me the confidence) for size 2. With little effort, size 2 was a breeze. Then I got cocky. And size 3 was nowhere near as easy as I thought it would be. I listened to my body and felt that it was telling me it was done, so I stopped. I took a long hard look at size 5 and I thought to myself, “no way this will ever get inside me.” Then I realized it was likely the same size as my husband, and I knew I needed to find a way. You know how in movies they always insinuate that the bigger the man is, the more desirable he is? Well that’s never been true for me. I thought it was a little unfair twist of fate what I ended up with. Call it the ticking internal clock, but I was determined to find a way to make this work. It was a mental struggle just as much as it was physical. I spent time talking with my therapist about how to relax enough to get to the next size. I found that playing music, closing (and locking) the door helped. As much as I wouldn’t mind if my husband walked in, it helped to call it “me time” and to spend the time really listening to my body and getting to know how it worked. I began to think of the dilators for my vagina like a foam roller for the muscles in my back. A foam roller helps to work out knots, to smooth, lengthen and relax the muscles. The dilators do the same thing, and the ones with neodymium magnets inside help to draw blood to the nerves and surrounding muscles, making it easier for your internal vaginal muscles to relax. The muscles are tighter the deeper you go, so it takes some time (and different size dilators) to reach those. I found that by warming some lube and warming the dilators, my body was more willing to accept them. I focused on my breathing, taking time to slowly breath in, telling myself that this is a safe space and it’s okay to accept the dilators. As I exhaled, I’d pushed the dilator in a bit past my comfort zone, while using a gentle rotating left to right motion. My mind calmed, and my muscles loosened, accepting the dilators at each size. I want to be honest, while some reviewers said they had success within a short time, it wasn’t quick or easy for me. It was both a physical and a mental endeavor. I couldn’t use the dilators every day. In fact, sometimes I went days, weeks, or even months without use. Yet, every time I was ready to spend some time with them again, it was like catching up with an old friend I hadn't talked to in a while — my body remembered. It might have taken a little time and patience to get back in the groove, but each time was easier than the last. And here I am today, happy to report that I made it to size 5. And with continued use of the dilators, I have achieved completely pain-free and frequent sex with my husband. I’ve never talked about my struggle with sex, much less written about it, but these dilators completely changed my life. It is my hope that other women who have hid in the shadows of painful sex will find their way to my story, will feel that same warmth and optimism in realizing they are not alone, and will take the leap to find their own journey towards the mental and physical freedom that awaits them with pain free sex. End. Do you have painful intercourse? 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
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The Definition of Pelvic Pain: Is it just endometriosis?
Pelvic pain is an uncomfortable reality for countless women. Because it is often difficult to pinpoint the cause, it leaves many wondering where to start when it comes to fixing it. In fact, pelvic pain has a wide range of potential causes, meaning that diagnosis is the first challenge to overcome. With the modern rise of gynecological issues such as endometriosis, it’s easy to misinterpret the cause of pelvic pain. You may read up on a problem like endometriosis and conclude that this is what you’re suffering from, when actually it could be something entirely different. To help you get to the bottom of your pelvic pain, this article takes a look at the definition of pelvic pain, its five most common causes and a few other possibilities… What is pelvic pain? Pelvic pain is defined by pain or discomfort in the lower section of the abdomen, specifically between the naval and the groin. It might consist of a dull ache, a feeling of pressure, sharp shooting pains, twinges or feelings of uncomfortable tightness. It sometimes occurs concurrently with other symptoms, like vaginal discharge, unexpected bleeding or lower backache. This kind of pain might be temporary, recurring or chronic, depending on the underlying reasons for it. In women, pelvic pain can be caused by problems with the reproductive organs, urinary tract or pelvic floor muscle group. Sometimes menstrual cramps are the cause, or perhaps you have an intestinal condition or a sexually transmitted infection. 5 common causes of pelvic pain There are a large number of reasons you may have developed pain in the pelvic area. The following five are some of the most common causes: Menstrual cramps and ovulation Menstrual pain and cramps are one of the most common causes of pelvic pain in women, and it is usually easy to pinpoint the cause. It is very normal to experience pain when the uterus contracts in order to shed its lining. This pain may be at its most intense for the first one or two days, but for some, continues to the end of the period. This pain is characterized by a dull ache and sharper pains from muscle spasms. During ovulation, it is normal for women to feel pain sensations on one side of the pelvis, depending on which fallopian tubes released an egg. This happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle, and can feel like a pulsing ache that lasts for minutes, or sometimes hours. It is important to note that when menstrual pain is severe, or happens during other parts of the cycle, this may indicate the presence of an underlying condition such as endometriosis. If you suspect this, it is a good idea to consult your healthcare provider. Endometriosis Endometriosis is a modern problem affecting increasing numbers of women. Now that more awareness exists around endometriosis, many women are wondering if this is the reason for their pelvic pain. It is difficult to diagnose and may require an exploratory operation to do so, and it is important to catch early if possible. It can cause inflammation in the pelvis, and in some cases, infertility. Endometriosis is the name for the condition in which the endometrium (the tissue lining the womb) starts growing outside of the womb. This tissue bleeds during the menstrual cycle, which can cause pelvic adhesions, meaning that organs are fused together with scar tissue. It is often a chronic and painful condition that doesn’t get better without treatment. This kind of pelvic pain can be mild or severe, but if you suspect you might have endometriosis, you should consult your Doctor as soon as possible. Cystitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs) or interstitial cystitis Cystitis is a common problem. It happens when the bladder gets inflamed due to bacteria from the vagina, rectum or skin entering the urethra and moving to the bladder. Cystitis affects the bladder, whereas other UTIs can happen anywhere in the urinary tract. They are usually easy enough to treat with natural or over-the-counter products. However, women may be more susceptive to recurring UTIs during the perimenopause. Then there is interstitial cystitis, which is much more problematic. This can be a chronic condition consisting of ongoing bladder inflammation, and unfortunately there is no known cause. Interstitial cystitis usually means pain when urinating, urgency (even when you don’t need to go), pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse. Until more studies are done on the issue, symptom management may be the best hope. A tight pelvic floor A tight (hypertonic) pelvic floor could be the cause of your pelvic pain. This is a very common issue as lots of things can trigger it. For instance, too much working out, too many kegels, holding onto stools or urine too long, irritable bowel syndrome, other pelvic conditions and even stress can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten up. This results in various types of pain, including muscles spasms and contractions, problems going to the toilet (including pain), lower back pain and painful sex. You can relax the pelvic floor by walking and stretching, but if the pelvic pain is persistent, you may need to see a pelvic floor physical therapist. Pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is womb infection in which the surrounding tissues can get damaged and scarred, especially if it is left untreated (which can also lead to infertility). You may develop PID if bacteria enter the womb via the cervix. Most commonly it develops after a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Pelvic pain is a common symptom, but you might also experience abnormal discharge or bleeding. Other possible causes of pain in the pelvic area There are other relatively common causes of pelvic pain, so it’s worth learning a little about those if you haven’t yet pinpointed the reason for yours. It is possible that your pelvic pain is caused by any of the below conditions: Uterine fibroids Ovarian cysts Irritable bowel syndrome STIs Ectopic pregnancy Bladder or kidney stones Appendicitis Tumors If you are undecided on why you have pelvic pain it is wise to get checked out by a medical professional. Pelvic pain is not only disruptive to your life – it could become more problematic over time if left untreated. If you’re looking for more information, don’t forget to check out our blog for a library of articles on pelvic pain disorders. Resources Nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pelvicpain/conditioninfo/causes Acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods Aafp.org/afp/2010/0715/p141.html Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4708560/ Do you have painful intercourse? 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
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Premature Menopause and Why Sex Hurts
The menopause generally occurs around the age of 51, but it can happen later; occasionally it comes earlier than expected and includes pelvic floor dysfunction unfortunately. For 1% of women, it comes even before they reach 40 years of age, and this is considered premature. Premature menopause can come as a bit of a shock, and most women who reach the menopause early can find themselves unprepared for the changes it brings. If you reach the menopause between 41 and 45 years of age, this is called ‘early menopause’. It is impossible to predict when you’ll reach the menopause but you’re likely to have an inkling, since perimenopause symptoms usually start up well ahead of the menopause itself. You’ll know you’ve reached the menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months in a row. This indicates that your ovaries have finally lost the ability to produce hormones and ovulate. Below we’ll explain why premature menopause happens, what the symptoms are, how to tell if you’ve got it, why sex hurts during the menopause, and what you can do to manage your symptoms… What causes premature menopause? It’s hard to say for sure, but experts believe that smoking can be a factor. For some women it happens due to surgery or medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the pelvic area. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can lead to premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) because they impair follicular maturation (and/or direct primordial follicle loss). Sometimes autoimmune disorders can bring about premature menopause (for example, lupus, hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease); sometimes a family history of premature menopause can indicate a higher likelihood of going through the menopause early. What are the symptoms of premature menopause? There isn’t really any difference between the symptoms of natural menopause and premature menopause symptoms. When your estrogen levels drop significantly (or fluctuate before they finally decline), you can expect to experience at least some of the following menopause symptoms: Lighter or heavier than normal periods Irregular or missed periods, followed by no periods at all Hot flashes Vaginal dryness Thinner vaginal tissues, and decreased flexibility Mood swings and emotional changes Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep Diminished libido Irritability of the bladder or incontinence Dry eyes, mouth or skin Painful sex (dyspareunia) How do you know if you’re going through premature menopause? Perhaps you’ve tried to get pregnant for 12 months or more without success. This alone could be a sign, but it’s an even stronger indicator if you’re around 40 and experiencing any of the above symptoms. However, it’s important to consult a Doctor for a proper diagnosis of premature menopause because some of the symptoms could be caused by another condition. Your Doctor is likely to perform a physical exam and take a blood sample to make sure no other conditions are causing your symptoms. They might book you in to test your estradiol levels. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, and if your levels have dropped below 30, you could be in the menopause prematurely. They will almost certainly conduct a blood test to measure your levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). If your FSH levels have increased to 40 mIU/mL or above, it’s a sure-fire sign that your ovaries are not producing as much estrogen as they once were. Why sex hurts during menopause Unfortunately, during the menopause you can experience sexual pain, which can cause lots of stress and worry for women in sexual relationships. So, why does sex hurt during menopause? There are several possible factors: Estrogen decline can make the vaginal tissues thinner and drier, leading to pain and discomfort during sex. The dryness can cause friction during penetration, so you might benefit from using a water-based personal lubricant. Another problem caused by declining estrogen levels is that your tissues become less flexible, so it can feel a little tight down there. When your vagina starts to get tighter and drier to the point that sex becomes uncomfortable, it’s likely that you’re suffering from vaginal atrophy, which is common after the menopause. One of the best solutions for vaginal atrophy is using vaginal dilators, as they help to keep the vaginal capacity large enough for comfortable sex. You may also find that as your libido has dropped and you’re less motivated to have sex, the act can become painful as you’re not relaxed enough to enjoy it. It’s not uncommon for women to become anxious about sex, especially if their recent experiences have been painful. Occasionally this can lead to the development of vaginismus, which is a vicious circle. What are the best menopause treatments available? Aside from the popular DIY at home methods we mentioned above (using personal lubricants and vaginal dilators), studies indicate that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (for example, hot flashes and vaginal atrophy). That’s because the benefits tend to outweigh the risks, provided you are below 60 years of age. Estrogen therapy (ET) comes in the form of pills, patches, transdermal sprays or gels and is commonly used to menopause symptoms. However it does come with various health risks so you may not be a candidate for this (depending on your medical history or the reasons for your premature menopause). Topical estrogen creams or rings may be a more viable option for isolated symptoms. For those preferring a more natural approach there are other options available. For instance, plant-based Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and various herbs and natural preparations. Two of the most popular are Vitex and Black Cohosh. You might be interested in our guide on saying goodbye to painful sex after the menopause, and our blog pages contain plenty of articles designed to help you handle the menopause… so feel free to take a look around! References Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26316242/ - Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 543–557. Menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/319-early-menopause-due-to-chemotherapy-radiotherapy - 2015, Australasian Menopause Society Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26444994/ - Treatment of Symptoms of the Menopause: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline [Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 100, no. 11, pp. 3975–4011] 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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Transgender Vagina After Surgery
Treating Tightness & Pain Sex reassignment surgery (SRS) has many names. Some refer to it as gender affirmation surgery, sex reassignment, gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change surgery. Genitoplasty is the clinical term. Regardless of the name, transgender people change their genitalia to match their gender identity. The process is not something that happens overnight but requires years of counseling, hormone therapy, and lifestyle changes before the change from male to female (MTF) or female to male (FTM). (1) After SRS, the transgender vagina may experience tightness and pain. Treatment of tightness and pain Gender reassignment surgery is considered very safe, and complications are not common. However, to help ease any tightness and pain after the procedure, post-op instructions include using a vaginal dilator. (2) (3) Vaginal dilators are tube-shaped devices that come in various sizes to help stretch and lengthen vaginal tissue and ease scarring. VuVa™ Dilators come in medical-grade plastic and are entirely safe to use. Some dilator choices have Neodymium magnets that help flood sensitive vaginal tissue with healthy blood flow. Each set comes with a complimentary storage bag for discreteness. Transgender women use the dilators in the weeks after surgery to maintain vaginal depth and elasticity. Physical therapy helps alleviate any tightness and pain from SRS and is an integral part of recovery. Using vaginal dilators Your doctor will give you dilation instructions, but generally, the best dilator practices for the transgender vagina include the following: Begin with the smallest dilator possible to ensure that you have minimal discomfort. You can always go up in size as your vaginal capacity increases. Choose a quiet place alone for therapy. It's essential that you feel safe and without the possibility of being interrupted. Make sure you clean your dilator before use to ensure that no bacteria or germs enter your vagina. Pat the vaginal dry after washing it with antibacterial soap and water. Apply a water-based lubricant to the dilator to help with insertion. With vaginal dilators, you don't want to use silicone-based oils. In a comfortable place, lie on your back with your knees bent. Open your legs wide and slowly insert the dilator. It's essential to take it slow and only go as far as you can handle. Your vagina may be extremely tight and tender. If the pain isn't severe, gently insert the dilator into the vaginal cavity at a 45-degree angle, under the pubic bone, and then pressing straight inside. There may be a small amount of pressure and resistance. Don’t push yourself too quickly, and if there’s extreme pain, stop and try again later. If possible, insert the dilator into the vagina as far as possible. Your goal is to reach the full depth of the vagina. For 10 minutes, leave in place to receive the full benefit of dilatory therapy. If you can leave the dilator inside the vagina longer, then the treatment is more effective sooner. You may start using dilation therapy as soon as your vagina has healed. The typical schedule is three times per day for three months. However, consult with your doctor before treatment. Start with the smallest size and then increase the volume after three months or when you begin to feel comfortable. Follow the schedule outlined by your doctor, but plan on using the dilators within the first three months after surgery for about 10 minutes at three times per day. As your vagina begins to stretch, you can slowly decrease your dilation schedule—for example, 3-6 months after surgery one time per day for 10 minutes. At any point, your vagina begins to feel tight, increase the dilator size, and dilation schedule to ease the tightness. Every few months you should go up one dilator size. After each use, wash and store in a safe place. VuVatech Dilators are made in the USA. Ships Discreetly. www.vuvatech.com How is the transgender vagina formed? Gender reassignment surgery is a kind of plastic surgery that includes two different classifications of surgical procedures. The first type is the top surgery. The operations in this category include reshaping their chest to fit a male or female form. Breast augmentation is when males transitioning to females enlarge their breasts. Facial feminization is when the face is reshaped to appear more feminine. Some examples of facial feminization are shortening the forehead to make it smaller and reshaping the lips and jaw to look more feminine. (4) The other type of surgery is in a classification called bottom surgery. Bottom surgery includes phalloplasty, (5) metoidioplasty, and vaginoplasty. Vaginoplasty procedures are changing the male genitalia to female genitalia, and the most common is the penile inversion procedure to form the vagina. Penile inversion procedure The operation, considered the gold standard by the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, uses the penile skin to form the vaginal lining. The labia minora and labia majora make up the scrotal skin, and the new clitoris takes the sensitive skin at the top of the penis. In some cases, there's not enough skin left to form the complete depth of the vagina canal. When this happens, a skin graft or extra skin from the abdomen or thigh helps complete the vagina cavity. (6) Genital surgery usually takes two to five hours. Afterward, the transgender woman stays for a few in the hospital for monitoring and healing. There may be some vaginal discharge for 4-6 weeks. Post-op instructions include using a vaginal dilator (once healed) to help stretch and lengthen the vagina. Maintaining vaginal and transgender health after having SRS is extremely important. The single best way to ease pain and tightness is through using vaginal dilators. Vaginal dilators have no side effects and are useful in maintaining the elasticity of your vagina naturally. Thousands of women use them to ensure a healthy vagina and sex life https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4154336/ https://marcibowers.com/transfem/gav/post-op-care/ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/4907208/ https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines/vaginoplasty https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/facial-feminization-surgery/about/pac-20467962 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center-transgender-health/services-appointments/faq/phalloplasty 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 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.
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Vulvar Pain: How Do You Diagnose Vulvodynia?
Vulvodynia is the vulvar pain condition characterized by feelings of chronic pain and discomfort in the vulvar, introitus or hymenal areas. Pain can manifest mildly or severely and it can vary in intensity at different times. To diagnose vulvodynia it is necessary to move through a process of different assessments and tests. The condition is notoriously difficult to diagnose, so some patience may be required. Many vulvodynia sufferers experience tenderness after any degree of pressure, even from something as gentle as a cotton swab. Understandably, pressure from activities like exercise or sexual intercourse are likely to aggravate the condition considerably. If you wish to diagnose vulvodynia, you will need to be prepared for an examination of your personal history be sure that your pain is not rooted in any potential infectious or dermatologic causes. How your practitioner will diagnose vulvodynia When your healthcare practitioner is trying to diagnose vulvodynia, they will assess your medical history carefully, as well as your sexual and surgical history. Once all other pain-causing abnormalities are ruled out, it may be possible to pinpoint nerve damage or misinterpretations of pressure by the nervous system, which are the most probable causes of vulvodynia. They are likely to look at aspects such as: Pain characteristics Related bowel, bladder, and sexual issues Blood results to determine hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone) At an appointment to diagnose vulvodynia, you will be asked to take part in a cotton swab test. This involves exertion of light pressure via indention of around 5mm with a swab, which is likely to cause some degree of pain if you do have vulvodynia. This pressure will be applied to various areas of your vulva, while your pain response is measured through your verbal feedback. Your practitioner may ask you to rate the pain sensations on a scale. Vulvodynia sufferers are likely to experience the most sensitivity in the following areas: The posterior introitus The posterior hymenal remnants It is possible for you to feel spontaneous pain even without pressure from a swab. It is also likely that you will experience sensitivity in any or all of these areas if you have provoked vulvodynia. Other things to note about diagnosing vulvodynia To diagnose vulvodynia your Doctor may also perform a pelvic exam, which consists of visually examining your external genital region to pinpoint symptoms and causes. Although there may not be visible signs, a cell sample may be taken to rule out infections. Similarly, if your healthcare provider finds any cause for concern in the form of unusual skin appearance, they may wish take a tissue sample for lab analysis. At the very least they are likely to carefully examine the area with a magnifying device. Redness and rashes in the vulvar area generally do not indicate vulvodynia, although it is possible that such symptoms could also be present. In this instance, a biopsy may be necessary. First and foremost, diagnosing vulvodynia is a process of elimination. It may not be possible to diagnose vulvodynia instantly, so it helps to accept that you may need to attend follow up appointments or wait a while for test results to come back. However, with patience and persistence you should be able to diagnose vulvodynia - if it really is the cause of your pain. If so, know that there are many vulvodynia treatments available to you, but finding the right ones for you could also be a process of trial and error. We wish you the best of luck in getting your diagnosis! 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 Using Dilators is Important After Gender Confirmation Surgery
Today, more people than ever are unhappy with their gender and choose to opt for gender confirmation surgery. Although this is not a decision to be taken lightly, it’s becoming increasingly common. You might also have heard gender confirmation surgery referred to as sex reassignment surgery or genital reassignment surgery; when a man changes to female gender (MtF), the operation is called vaginoplasty. As you might imagine, vaginoplasty is an incredibly complex operation that requires a great deal of aftercare to ensure long-term success. Anyone who is considering gender confirmation surgery should be aware of the aftercare implications, and we’re here to help with that. One of the most important aspects is the use of vaginal dilators, which we’ll also cover in this article. Post-operative care for gender confirmation surgery After MtF gender confirmation surgery (vaginoplasty), each person takes a variable amount of time to recover. It is normal to experience some soreness and swelling, and believe it or not, a ‘neo vagina’ is also susceptible to yeast infections and urinary tract infections… so consistent care is needed to prevent these. After gender confirmation surgery, it is normal for either gauze packing or a stenting device to be placed inside the neo vagina, to be kept in place for up to a week afterward. After this is removed, it is time to start using vaginal dilators. Vaginal dilation is incredibly important after vaginoplasty, but different surgeons will recommend different protocols. Below we’ll offer a common guideline for transgender dilation. Why are dilators important after gender confirmation surgery? Post gender confirmation surgery, your body is likely to register your vagina as a wound, and therefore try to heal it. This would result in some shrinkage at the very least – if not total closure and/or development of scar tissue. For this reason, transgender dilation therapy is crucial; it can prevent all of these possibilities from happening. You will want to maintain the depth and width of your new vagina, so your surgeon is likely to recommend using dilators a few days after surgery is complete. From this point, you will need to keep using the vaginal dilators ongoing - but less often as time goes on, of course. Guidelines for using a dilator after vaginoplasty Your surgeon should have the final say on this, so do check with them before starting dilation therapy. Also ensure that you are using the right sized dilators, according to your surgeon’s recommendation. Clean your dilator with warm soapy water, then rinse and dry it (the same goes after each use!) Use a water-based lubricant to coat the dilator before insertion Gently insert your dilator at a 45 degree angle; when it is under the pubic bone, continue insertion in a straight direction Once you have inserted it fully and are experiencing some resistance, leave the dilator in place for ten minutes Dilate three times each day for a period of three months, as soon as the gauze has been removed After three months, stat using a larger dilator for a further three months At between three and six months, use the dilator once per day for ten minutes After six months, use it two or three times per week for ten minutes After nine months, use it once or twice per week Note that if your neo vagina seems tight at any point, you can increase the frequency of dilation. It’s also important to stop dilator therapy if you are experiencing excessive resistance, pain or tenderness – a little is normal, a lot is not. A final word on genital reassignment surgery We thought you might be interested in this helpful tip for resuming sexual intercourse: you may find the Ohnut ring useful, since this intimate wearable helps your partner to control the depth of penetration. Using an Ohnut ring means you’re less likely to feel any pain, and your partner will barely notice it. The bottom line is that gender confirmation surgery requires regular self-care, so you’ll need to be disciplined with your dilator use. VuvaTech stock a range of vaginal dilators and we’re always happy to help, so feel free to ask if you have any questions! 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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Pain Down Below: 4 Less-Known Causes and Treatments for Pelvic Pain
Pain down below is something that most women will endure at some point over the course of their lifetime. Perhaps you’re one of the women who are wondering, is it normal to have pain down there? We would have to say that although common, pains in the pelvic area and backside should not be considered ‘normal’. They indicate an underlying issue to be resolved, and sometimes ignoring pelvic pain can lead to more tenacious problems later. Pain in the nether regions is often worrying, and the cause may not always be easy to pinpoint. So, if you are feeling pain in the pelvis, rectum or buttocks, what should you do? This article will answer the important questions some of the less-known causes of pelvic pain. We have written much on vaginal pain conditions, which you can research through our article library. For pain in the nether regions that you can’t quite pinpoint, we are happy to give you some insights into possible reasons for that pain down below and what you can do about it. How do you get rid of pain down below? This depends on the underlying reason for pain in your pelvic area. First it would be prudent to establish a few details, such as: what is the location of your pelvic pain? If you see a healthcare provider, they will first want to establish exactly where your pain is coming from. With issues like pelvic nerve pain, your issue could be radiating pain outwards, making it more difficult for you to pinpoint. It is always a good idea to see your physician, because they may need to refer you to a pelvic pain specialist. Read on for insights into some of the less-known causes of pelvic pain in women. Perhaps one of these surprising complications is causing your pain down below… What causes pelvic pain in females? Below are some reasons for pain down below that you might not have heard of. Still, some of them are actually quite common. Proctalgia Characterized by shooting pains up the bottom and lower abdomen, proctalgia fugax is classified as anal pain with no specific cause. Proctalgia pain comes from intense muscle spasms in or around the anal canal, and it can be pretty severe. It can happen to anyone, but usually not before they start puberty. Proctalgia is more common in women than men, as published in a review done in 2017. You may experience severe pain down below if the pelvic floor muscles, anal sphincter or rectum begin to spasm. It can cause a stabbing pain, which some report as “feeling like a knife is sticking into my rectum”. Often the pain comes on strong without warning, but duration may vary. How do you get rid of proctalgia pain? When pain down below doesn’t have a known cause, it’s often a case of management. Treatment of proctalgia fugax includes: Deep breathing and other forms of relaxation Pain medication Warm baths Sitz baths Prescription ointments (such as glyceryl trinitrate or topical diltiazem) Proctalgia shouldn’t be mistaken for anal fissures, which also cause sharp pains in the rectum. These are due to tears in the rectum when defecating and will only be experienced when going to the toilet. It’s likely that fissures will lead to bleeding (fresh, bright red blood). Pudendal neuralgia Can you have nerve pain in your pelvic area? You certainly can, and like most kinds of nerve pain, it is sudden, sharp and anxiety-inducing… but what causes nerve pain down below? One of the most common causes of pelvic nerve pain is pudendal neuralgia. In women, reasons for pudendal nerve entrapment might be: Surgical injury Scar tissue from surgery Pelvic trauma Childbirth Pelvic or perineal injury or trauma Straining due to constipation Poor posture Too much exercise (e.g. cycling or horse riding) Stress Viral infection Immunologic processes How do you know if you have pudendal neuralgia? Your pudendal nerve starts at your lower back, runs along your pelvic floor muscles and terminates in your perineum. Pain in these areas (and when you’re having sex) may indicate pudendal neuralgia. This nerve can get entrapped when pelvic floor muscles spasm - specifically the levator ani or obturator internus muscles. It can also occur due to pressure from the surrounding sacrospinous or sacrotuberous ligaments. If you have pudendal neuralgia, you most likely have muscle spasm and muscle shortening throughout your pelvic girdle. How do you treat pudendal neuralgia? Women often reach out to an osteopath for this type of pain down below. Physician and pudendal nerve expert Dr Gilles Mondoloni says that osteopaths are able to relax many muscles of the pelvis and perineum that can trap the pudendal nerve. They may free trapped joints of the lower back, sacrum and the hinge between the sacrum and coccyx. They knead the tissues surrounding the pudendal nerve to encourage flexibility and less adherence to the nerve. An osteopath will release muscle spasms and correct imbalances and tissue restriction. They typically use techniques such as palpation and manual manipulation to stretch and lengthen affected muscles, and to correct posture and range of motion. They will determine the strength of your pelvis, back, and hips, and give you exercises, stretches, and helpful information on the subject. They may use myofascial release techniques, trigger point therapy and encourage mobilization of the connective tissues. Pelvic floor physical therapists use similar strategies, so you may wish to consult yours if you have one. Pain in the pelvic floor Chronically tight muscles are called ‘hypertonic’, and various muscles can be affected. The pelvic floor is trickier to deal with as you can’t easily reach it, or pinpoint where pain is coming from in this area. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that resembles a hammock. It connects the lower part of the pelvis and sacrum, and in women supports the bladder, rectum and womb too. It wraps around the vagina, urethra and rectum, and when it constricts, it can lead to pain and various forms of dysfunction. Pain down below due to a hypertonic pelvic floor often looks like this: Pelvic Muscle spasms and contractions Urinary urgency, pain when urinating or difficulty in starting and/or maintaining flow of urine Feelings of urgency to pass stools, or pain when passing, straining and constipation Pain in the lower back, genitals, rectum or hips Painful sex Pain during gynecological examinations Tightness in the hips, glutes, lower back, groin and abdomen How do you relax a tight pelvic floor? The best treatments for a hypertonic pelvic floor are pelvic floor stretches and vaginal dilators (to stretch out tight vaginal muscles). Depending on the severity of your muscle tightness, it may be necessary for a therapist to do some manual manipulation, trigger point therapy, myofascial release or biofeedback techniques. Pelvic floor physical therapists are the experts on releasing pelvic floor muscles, and they usually recommend using vaginal dilators and doing pelvic floor stretches as ‘homework’ too. Piriformis syndrome Another type of pain down below is pain in the buttocks. A pear-shaped muscle called the piriformis is found deep within the buttocks. This muscle controls various functions of the hips and pelvis, and it sits close to the sciatic nerve. When it tightens, it can irritate the sciatic nerve, leading to pains down the leg – some of which can be excruciating and severely debilitating. Piriformis syndrome can occur due to an imbalance in the muscle groups, because one muscles has become weak and forces another to work harder. How do you treat buttock pain from piriformis syndrome? This type of pain down below may be diagnosed by a physiotherapist, who can differentiate between this and lower back issues. They will check for the underlying cause of your piriformis dysfunction and use manual manipulation techniques to alleviate symptoms. Your physiotherapist may also give you exercises that stretch the piriformis, or strengthen the dysfunctional muscles that are forcing the other muscles in the group to work overtime. We hope this article has shone a light on your pain down below and given you a starting point in your healing journey. If not, we have plenty of information on other pelvic pain conditions in our blog, so it may be time for some education, which is always the first step to freedom from pain. Good luck! Resources Vuvatech.com/blogs/vuvagirlblog/pudendal-neuralgia-symptoms-and-causes Webmd.com/pain-management/guide/piriformis-syndrome-causes-symptoms-treatments Vuvatech.com/blogs/vuvagirlblog/what-is-pelvic-floor-physical-therapy-by-dr-peterson Vuvatech.com/pages/pelvic-pain-resource-guide If you’d like to know more, you can read about using vaginal dilators for vulvar pain here, as well as some success stories to give you confidence and help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. What’s more, our extensive blog covers all vulvar pain conditions in great detail, so take a look around! If you don’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch as we’ll be happy to help. 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! 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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.
