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Vulvodynia Exercises Besides Dilators
Given that around 1 in 4 women are victims of sexual pain and dysfunction, it’s safe to say that too many women are suffering. Vulvodynia is not an easy condition to deal with, but studies conclude that up to 28% of adult females have it at some point. Vulvodynia pain can adversely affect wellbeing, physical comfort and your relationships… so naturally you’ll want to do everything in your power to distance yourself from this troublesome and painful problem once and for all. Many women use vaginal dilators as part of their treatment for vulvodynia, and there’s no doubt that they can bring great results. Chronic pain does not have to be a way of life, but the reality is that it can take time and effort to overcome the symptoms of vulvodynia. We wanted to help by recommending a few vulvodynia exercises besides dilators, which you can read about in this article. Which exercises will relieve vulvodynia symptoms? The fact is that you can get great relief from vulvodynia pain through various methods. Some of the favored treatments for vulvodynia are multi-modal therapy and pelvic floor physical therapy, both of which consist of helpful exercises under the guidance of a trained professional. When it comes to exercises for vulvodynia besides dilators, you will be focusing on the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction commonly exacerbates (and sometimes causes) vulvodynia. However, if you have vulvodynia it is important to recognize the reason for your pelvic floor dysfunction so that you choose the right types of exercises. This could mean the difference between healing or worsening the problem; it’s easy to assume that strengthening kegels are the answer, but actually there are times when kegels might be a bad idea. For instance, pelvic floor muscle weakness (known as a hypotonic pelvic floor) could be contributing to your symptoms. In that case you would want to strengthen the pelvic floor to find relief… but the thing is that a tight pelvic floor (hypertonic) is more commonly behind the problem. So instead of strengthening exercises, a hypertonic pelvic floor requires relaxation exercises. Your best bet is to have a professional (such as a pelvic floor physical therapist) assess you before embarking on any particular type of exercises. Vulvodynia exercises besides dilators Since a hypertonic pelvic floor is most likely, we’ll take a look at exercises for relaxing your pelvic floor muscles first. You may have increased tone, which can result in depleted blood flow and oxygen to your pelvic floor muscles. In turn this can cause accumulation of lactic acid. The lactic acid might be causing your vulvar pain, burning sensations and tenderness. Other indicators of a tight pelvic floor are dyspareunia (painful sex) urinary problems or constipation, hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Exercises to relax the pelvic floor Pelvic floor stretches and abdominal breathing are great for relaxing your pelvic floor. Some of the best stretches are actually yoga poses, such as: Child’s pose Cobra pose Garland pose Happy baby pose Bound angle pose Half Lord of the Fishes pose If you’re not familiar with yoga postures, we have made a step-by-step guide to these pelvic floor stretches. We hope you find it useful! You might also want to read about the best abdominal breathing techniques, which you can find here in our article on how to relax the pelvic floor. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor If you do have problems with pelvic floor muscle weakness, you will want to do strengthening kegels instead (different protocols of squeezing and releasing). Electronic kegels can also be great vulvodynia exercises besides dilators, although you may need to visit a pelvic floor PT for these. An electronic pelvic toner stimulates nerves for pain relief, and is sometimes used in conjunction with vaginal probes or skin electrodes on your ankle or lower back. Another option (which might be part of your pelvic floor physical therapy) would be biofeedback with pelvic floor exercises. The electrical biofeedback machine scores your muscles strength while you squeeze a vaginal probe. If you are someone who does need to strengthen your pelvic floor, this can help you to perform kegels more effectively, as well as monitoring your progress. Once you have understood the cause of your tight pelvic floor, you’ll be ready to start your vulvodynia exercises. You may find that doing these in conjunction with vaginal dilators is beneficial too, of course. If so, feel free to get in touch if you would like any advice on the dilators in our range. 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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Painful intercourse medical term: dyspareunia causes, treatments
For most people, the medical term for painful intercourse, dyspareunia is unfamiliar. For those who suffer from pelvic pain, you're all too familiar. Dyspareunia is when women experience pain during vaginal penetration, a pelvic exam, or even when inserting a tampon. The penetration pain can occur before, during, or after sexual activity. While it's a more significant concern in women's health, men can have dyspareunia, too. Symptoms Sexual pain symptoms can vary from person to person. The penetration pain may be felt in the vagina, bladder, or urethra. It may come with an aching, itching, or burning sensation. Some sufferers report a feeling similar to menstrual cramps (a stabbing pain). The pain may occur: during or after intercourse when penetrated deep in the pelvis during sexual activity when inserting a tampon after pain-free intercourse happens only with certain people or situations Causes of dyspareunia Determining the underlying cause can be difficult for those with dyspareunia. Sometimes there's no discernible reason, and other times it's connected to a physical condition or emotional state. Medical professions can divide the pain into two categories: outer and inner pain. Outer pain If you experience entry pain in the vaginal genitals or anus, then this is dyspareunia outer pain. The causes of pain in the outer area may come from different conditions. Vulvodynia This condition is unexplained chronic pain at the vaginal entrance that lasts more than three months. When the pain is around the vaginal opening, it's also known as vulvar vestibulitis. The burning pain associated with vulvodynia makes sitting for long periods or sexual intercourse unbearable. Lack of lubrication Experiencing painful intercourse may come from a lack of lubrication. The reasons for the feminine dryness may come from various reasons, including: not enough foreplay breastfeeding smoking excessive stress cancer treatment (pelvic radiation) rigorous exercise removal of the ovaries taking birth control Inflammation, skin disorder or infection Dyspareunia may be caused by inflammation, skin disorders, or infections. Inflammation makes the vaginal skin tight, sore and throbbing leading to painful intercourse. Skin disorders, such as eczema and psoriasis, can cause painful bumps and itching in the genital area. When scratched or rubbed against, the condition worsens. Vaginial infections, including urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or sexually transmitted diseases, can cause dyspareunia as well. Vaginismus This condition is uncontrollable muscle spasms in the pelvic floor muscles. It can make it impossible for any penetration from sexual activity, tampon insertion, or undergoing a gynecological exam. Congenital abnormality While rare, women may have a congenital abnormality that makes sexual intercourse painful, including a retroverted uterus or vaginal agenesis. Vaginal agenesis is when women have an incomplete or missing vagina. Congenital concerns can affect the genitals, vulva, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. The diagnosis may occur at birth, during puberty, or when becoming sexually active. Inner pain Pain during intercourse may have deep pain inside the vagina or anus that has a severe impact on sexual health. While the exact cause can be hard to determine, the following factors may play a role. Certain illnesses or conditions Dyspareunia may have a direct link to physical causes and conditions, including: interstitial cystitis pelvic inflammatory disease ovarian cyst endometriosis irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) hemorrhoids If you suspect you're experiencing any of these illnesses, speak to your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Menopause Menopause is a period in a woman's life when her reproductive years come to an end. While a normal part of the life cycle, the leading cause is plummeting estrogen levels. Estrogen is the female hormone responsible for many essential functions, including fertility and the menstrual cycle. It also helps with lubrication, supple skin, and feeling balanced. Living with depleted estrogen levels results in vaginal dryness for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Surgeries or medical treatments If you've had pelvic surgery, you may have had surgeries or treatments that affect the vaginal wall. Breast cancer or prostate cancer treatments usually include pelvic radiation to remove and prevent cancer cells from returning. Pelvic floor radiation can change the shape of the vagina and leave the vaginal walls dry and papery, making sexual intercourse extremely painful. Emotional factors The cause of painful intercourse may come from emotional factors, including psychological issues and stress. Both can wreak havoc with your sex life. Psychological problems may stem from a history of sexual abuse or experiencing a traumatic event, such as a physical assault or attack. When you experience sexual abuse, it can have long term effects on sexual behavior and satisfaction. Stress from your job, family, or mental health may make sex painful, as well. Diagnosis & treatment options The first step is to see your health care practitioner for a diagnosis. Your doctor takes a complete medical history, conducts a pelvic examination, and may send vaginal samples off for testing; it may be that two conditions may be the cause. In that case, you need a differential diagnosis to determine which one is causing dyspareunia. Undergoing behavioral therapy Decreasing pain associated with dyspareunia may happen with therapy. Popular choices are cognitive therapy, sex therapy, or desensitization therapy. Therapists give you medical advice and treatments to overcome female sexual pain through talk therapy, mental health exercises, biofeedback. Vaginal dilators One of the best health solutions for treating painful sex in women and men is vaginal dilators or trainers. Vaginal dilators are tube-shaped devices that resemble a sex toy but are proven medical treatment for dyspareunia. America's safest dilator company, VuVatech, offers dilators in various sizes to help ease the searing pain and discomfort associated with painful sexual intercourse. In the privacy of your own home, you use vaginal dilators to stretch and relieve painful vaginal tissue and walls. There are no side effects of using vaginal dilators, and treatment is at your speed and comfort level. Thousands of people trust VuVatech dilators as one of the best home remedies for dyspareunia. In a double-blind placebo study by Physician Care Clinical Research, 80% of all participants reported a reduction in pain after undergoing treatment with VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators. Try vaginal dilators today, to help you overcome dyspareunia. 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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Vulvodynia Treatment: Causes, Symptoms & Care
Are you looking for a vulvodynia treatment that works? For years, you've tried everything to reduce the burning and stinging associated with vulvodynia, but haven't been able to find relief. You're not alone. Eight percent of all women afflicted with vulvodynia never find a cure for that pelvic pain. While 8% may not seem like a large number at first, it translates into over 13 million women in the United States having to bear the vulvar pain of vulvodynia. (1) Vulvodynia places a significant hardship on emotional wellbeing, society, the health care system, and significant others. In this article, we'll discuss vulvodynia treatment, causes, symptoms, and care to relieve pain for the millions of women suffering in silence. What is vulvodynia? According to the National Vulvodynia Association, vulvodynia is chronic pelvic pain in the vulva with no known etiology for three months or longer. (2) Women with vulvodynia report varying levels of chronic pain in different places in the vulva. In some cases, women experience pain solely in one area of the vulvar tissue, referred to as localized vulvodynia. The specific pain points may include the external genitals like the clitoris or the vestibule (vaginal opening). Generalized vulvodynia is when the pain occurs on the entire vulva. The severity and constancy of the pain varies, too. It can be chronic, during certain activities such as sexual intercourse or when applying pressure while inserting a tampon. Also, the pain can be present with or without touch. When discussing the pain with their health care professionals, women often don't report it as pain, but rather as stabbing, rawness, burning, itching, and tearing. How is vulvodynia treated? The American College of Obstetricians says vulvodynia treatment should be individualized and can be treated by one or more of the followings ways: (3) pelvic floor physical therapy with vaginal dilation medications including oral, topical, and injectable biofeedback training dietary changes sexual counseling cognitive behavioral therapy surgery Relieving pain with vaginal dilation The American Family of Physicians states that physical therapy may help relax and strengthen pelvic muscles. (4) Vaginal Dilator Therapy is a type of physical therapy that uses vaginal dilators to treat and cure vulvodynia. In a clinical trial by the Physician Care Clinical Research, 80% of all women reported less pelvic pain using VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators. VuVa™ magnetic vaginal dilators help stretch and lengthen the vagina naturally. Each dilator has Neodymium magnets that help pull fresh oxygenated blood to pelvic floor muscles and surrounding nerves. It creates a positive energy field that draws out any acidity in the pelvic floor. The nourishing energy rejuvenates the nerve endings to promote faster healing while soothing pain. Over 30,000 women around the world, suffering from vulvodynia and other pelvic pain conditions, have found relief with VuVatech vaginal dilators. The pelvic floor physical therapy happens in the privacy of your home without a physical therapist, at a pace that works for you. What are the causes of vulvodynia? The exact cause of vulvodynia is unknown. It isn't caused by an underlying condition, such as a sexually transmitted disease, skin disease, or cancer. Each woman is different, but the following factors increase the risk of vulvodynia. It's also essential to remember that one or more of these factors may be working together. (5) Inflammation and tenderness in the vulva Damaging and weakening of the vulva nerves Genetic predisposition Environmental allergic reactions to certain foods or chemicals Long-term exposure to infection or trauma Hormonal changes due to menopause or birth control Debilitation of the pelvic floor muscles Provoked vestibulodynia may occur from having sexual activity, a pelvic exam, and prolonged sitting. Horseback riding and wearing tight clothing may also "provoke" the pain. Other risk factors include undergoing pelvic radiation therapy. Pelvic radiation therapy is a treatment for women with certain types of cancers, including the breast and cervix. The process can cause painful scarring and shortening of the vagina. When this happens, the vaginal tissue becomes thin, dry, and tight. What are the symptoms of vulvodynia? Vulvodynia symptoms vary from person to person, but characteristics include an itching, irritating, burning, or stinging sensation. The vulvar tissue may give the appearance of being inflamed or may look normal. It’s thought that vulvodynia is a neuropathic pain, which means the surrounding nerve fibers in the vulvar send irregular messages. Hypersensitive nerve endings are a result. While vulvodynia isn't life-threatening, it can prevent women from engaging in ordinary or everyday activities. In some cases, it can lead to depression. How to care for vulvodynia? Women with vulvar pain do have options for care. Using vaginal dilators to stretch the vagina is a safe and effective way to treat the pain syndrome associated with vulvodynia. Women can also help ease and prevent symptoms by making dietary and lifestyle choices. Clothing choices: Try to wear 100% cotton underwear, avoid tight underpants and pants, and forgo wearing underwear at night. Personal care choices: Avoid products (shampoos, perfumes, detergents, deodorants) with fragrances, dyes, and chemicals that may irritate the skin and vulva. Bathing considerations: Don't clean the vulva with anything but water and after bathing dry thoroughly. You can also apply petroleum jelly or preservative-free oil to help preserve skin moisture and nourish the skin. Sexual activities: You can use lubricants during sexual intercourse, but don't use flavored oils or ones with a cooling or warming sensation. Also, add more foreplay into your sexual routine to help with penetration. Other care tips: After going to the bathroom, rinse and dry the vulva. Also, avoid douching or applying anything inside the vagina that might irritate. Switch sanitary pads to 100% cotton pads to prevent irritation. Another way to soothe vulvodynia symptoms is to apply cool gel packs to the vulva. How is vulvodynia diagnosed? Scheduling an appointment with your doctor or gynecologist is the best way to diagnose vulvodynia. During the first meeting, your physician will ask you personal questions regarding your health and pain symptoms. It's essential to gain a full picture of your particular situation. In most cases, the doctor will use a cotton swab to test for pain points in the vulvar. Your doctor wants to determine how mild or how severe the vulvar pain is for you. The swab test can be the most stressful part of the exam. Your doctor may order additional tests to rule out a yeast infection or sexually transmitted disease by taking a sample of vaginal discharge. If you're suffering from vulvodynia, it's time to find a cure that works for you. Using vaginal dilators daily can help provide long-lasting relief. When you’re ready, we can help you. Other VuVa Helpful Links: 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4014358/ https://www.nva.org/what-is-vulvodynia/ https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Gynecologic-Practice/Persistent-Vulvar-Pain https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0315/p1561.html https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189076.php#treatment
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Navigating Vaginal Dilator Progression: Size Matters in Healing
A Vaginal dilator set is an essential tool for those recovering from certain gynecological procedures, dealing with conditions such as vaginismus, vaginal atrophy, vulvodynia or undergoing gender-affirming surgery. These simple devices can greatly aid in regaining vaginal capacity, elasticity, and comfort during intimacy. But understanding how to properly progress through sizes and integrate dilators into your self-care routine is crucial for a successful recovery with minimal discomfort. In this article, we will explore the process of vaginal dilator progression, focusing on the importance of a gradual approach, effective usage tips, the psychological dimensions of the process, and practical advice for incorporating dilation into your routine. Importance of Gradual Dilation For beginners, the thought of using a dilator can be intimidating. However, medical experts emphasize the need to proceed gradually in order to avoid discomfort and the risk of injury. Starting with a size that feels comfortable is key, and steadily progressing to larger sizes over time allows the body to adapt without unnecessary stress. Tips for Comfortable and Effective Use of Dilators Choose the Right Size: Begin with a dilator size that does not cause significant pain – pain levels should remain below 3-4 on a scale of 10. If you're partaking in a regular sexual activity, or if you can comfortably insert a tampon, you might start with a larger size. Be Mindful of Psychological Comfort: It’s common to feel apprehensive about the process. Create a relaxing environment and engage in deep breathing or other relaxation techniques to ease any anxiety. Incorporate Lubricants: Use a generous amount of water-based lubricant to ease the insertion process. This minimizes friction and makes dilation more comfortable. Find a Comfortable Position: Most find lying down with knees bent and legs apart to be the most comfortable. Find what works best for you. Take your Time: Never rush the dilation process. Go slowly when inserting, and allow your body to dictate the pace of progression. Psychological Aspects of Dilation Dealing with the psychological impact of using vaginal dilators is as crucial as managing the physical aspect. It’s important to acknowledge and validate any feelings of discomfort or embarrassment. Support from a counselor, therapist, or a support group can be very beneficial during this period. Progressing from Smaller to Larger Dilators A set of dilators typically includes multiple sizes, each progressively larger than the last. The process of moving from one size to the next should be guided by comfort and ease of use. Don't progress to a larger size until you can use your current one without discomfort. Integrating Dilation into Self-Care Routine Treat the process of dilation as you would any other aspect of a self-care routine: prioritize it and perform it with care and attention. Maintain a schedule and be consistent with your practice. Over time, dilation should become easier and less intimidating. Choosing the Correct Dilator Size Determining your starting size should be done in consultation with a healthcare provider or you can ask a dilator company for help. Remember, if dilation is causing significant pain, consider moving to a smaller size until you can proceed without exceeding a mild discomfort threshold. How to pick your Vaginal Dilator sizes: When shopping for dilators, it might be hard to know what size vaginal dilators you need. If you ask your physician or pelvic floor physical therapist, they should be able to tell you what size you need to start your pelvic floor therapy with. Some people do not need the entire set and some people do. When it comes to our size vaginal dilators, there are seven to choose from. We have one of the smallest vaginal dilators on the market and one of the largest. When is come to VuVa brand dilators, the smallest dilator, the Size 1, is comparable to a pencil and the Size 2 is comparable to a women's pinky finger. If you can get a larger tampon applicator in with ease, you may want to start with a Size 3 or 4 dilator if your muscles are very tight, or you have a lot of atrophy pain. If you are sexually active, you might not need the smaller dilators and starting with the Size 4 or 5 and moving up would be best for your home therapy plan. You can also purchase the size dilator that is comparable in circumference to your partner if you are sexually active. As dilator therapy can be uncomfortable, you do not want to be in extreme pain when you are dilating. If you are, then you need to move down one dilator size. On a pain scale of 1-10, you do not want to go over a 3-4 pain level when dilating. Now, when you first put the dilator in, it can be very painful, but that pain should subside after a few minutes. You don't want to be in extreme pain the entire time during your dilator therapy. In Conclusion Medical Vaginal dilators play a critical role for many in their healing journeys, but they require a mindful and measured approach to use. With these practical tips and the guidance of healthcare professionals, you can safely and effectively manage your dilator progression. Don't overlook the importance of psychological support during this process; emotional well-being is just as critical to your overall recovery. Always remember, you're not alone on this path. Proper support, whether it be from healthcare professionals or peers, along with trustworthy information, can make a significant difference in your healing process. With time, patience, and the right practices, dilation can become a manageable part of your routine towards achieving better health and well-being. Learn more about our comprehensive selection of vaginal dilators and take control of your healing process. Your comfort and care are our top priority.
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The Psychological Aspect: How Vaginal Dilator Sizes Affect Emotional Well-being
Dealing with vaginismus or dyspareunia (painful sex) is a complex and often emotionally taxing experience for many women. It’s a condition that can not only affect sexual intimacy and physical health but also the very core of an individual's emotional well-being. To treat vaginismus or other pelvic floor disorders, a safe and patient-centered approach often includes the use of vaginal dilators, a process which demands not only physical adjustment but also significant psychological fortitude. In this post, we'll explore how the size of vaginal dilators goes beyond mere physical mechanics, significantly impacting the mental health and progress of women undergoing this treatment. Understanding and addressing the emotional element is crucial to developing an effective and compassionate approach to dyspareunia treatment. As we'll explore, the selection of the right vaginal dilator sizes is not just a medical necessity but a psychological one that can contribute to the comfort, confidence, and eventual recovery of women battling this condition. Understanding Emotional Impact The use of vaginal dilators is often a critical component in the treatment of conditions like vaginismus, where a woman’s vaginal muscles involuntarily contract, making penetration painful or impossible. The emotional barriers posed by such conditions are often as daunting as the physical ones. When it comes to dilator therapy, the psychological implications of size selection are significant. Women can develop anxieties, fears, and even body image issues associated with the process. Reflecting on the importance of comfort and confidence, it is clear that starting with the right size dilator can make a substantial difference. It’s not just about what physically fits, but what emotionally empowers the individual. For some, the fear of inadequacy or "not being normal" can be a significant hurdle. Tailoring Dilator Sizes Matchmaking dilator sizes to individual needs and progress is an easy task to figure out. Overlooking this personalized approach can result in setbacks that go beyond temporary discomfort. Too large a dilator can be a physical source of pain, but it’s the emotional toll that is often more enduring. Conversely, a dilator that is too small can feel like regression or that you wasted money, leading to a loss of motivation in the treatment. It's also important to address the emotional responses to size variations. A change in size can mean a step forward in treatment, and learning to celebrate these milestones is crucial. Impact on Psychological Well-being The impact of dilator therapy on psychological well-being goes beyond the immediate discomfort or success in usage. It is about gradually building a platform for long-term body positivity and self-esteem. Women navigating this therapy are also managing anxiety and stress, often stemming from deeply-embedded fears and past painful experiences. Learning to control these emotions in the context of vaginal dilator therapy is a significant milestone. Building Self-esteem and Body Positivity The use of progressively larger dilators symbolizes the progress in overcoming your pelvic floor pain. This step-by-step approach educates the subconscious mind to accept gradual change and, in parallel, helps to rebuild self-esteem. It's crucial to focus on the successes, no matter how small, and to update the milestones for emotional acceptance. Managing Anxiety and Stress During Treatment The right support systems and coping mechanisms for anxiety can make all the difference. Mindfulness practices and techniques to develop a positive body image can act as powerful complements to the physical treatment. Education about the process and its emotional complexities can help prepare women for this part of their healing journey. Audience Engagement For women undergoing vaginal dilator therapy, effective communication with a pelvic floor therapist can be beneficial. Understanding the role of dilators in treatment and being an active part of decisions concerning their use is empowering. This partnership approach ensures that emotional as well as physical health is taken into account. Connecting with support groups and communities centered around vaginal health can provide invaluable insight and encouragement. Sharing experiences and learning from others can be a catalyst for emotional progress and a reminder that one is not alone. Encouraging Support Networks and Community Engagement Whether online or in-person, support networks can provide a forum for sharing both successes and struggles. These communities foster understanding, support, and often serve as a source of dignity and empowerment. It's important that both individuals affected by pelvic pain and those supporting them recognize the importance of mental health in the context of treatment. Strategies for dealing with fear, anxiety, and past traumatic experiences can be as important as the physical treatment itself. Conclusion In the broad spectrum of healthcare and women's well-being, the psychological nuances of vaginal dilator therapy are often overlooked. Yet, for those fighting dyspareunia, the emotional toll can be as significant as the physical challenge. By recognizing the impact of dilator sizes on emotional well-being, we can foster a more holistic and empathetic approach to vaginismus treatment. Encouraging women to advocate for their mental health during dilator therapy, and equipping them with the tools to manage their emotional states, is essential. As a community, we can work towards not only physical recovery but also the emotional growth and healing that are central to a woman’s sense of self. Combining medical expertise with a compassionate understanding of the emotional side of vaginismus will lead to better outcomes. Only when we address the whole individual—body and mind—can we truly help women to overcome the challenges of vaginismus and reclaim their emotional completeness.
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Vaginismus Exercises at Home - How to Treat and Overcome Vaginismus
Vaginismus is a common condition among women that causes the muscles around the vagina to contract involuntarily, making it painful or even impossible to have sex. This condition can have physical and emotional effects on a person's life. However, there are several ways to treat and overcome vaginismus, including exercises that can be done at home. In this blog post, we'll discuss vaginismus exercises and how they can help you manage and overcome this condition. Using Dilators One effective way to treat vaginismus is through the use of VuVa vaginal dilators. These are tools that are used to gradually increase the size of the vagina to alleviate pain and make penetration easier. It's essential to note that these dilators can be purchased in different sizes and VuVa Dilator Company has one about as thin as a pencil to start. It's advisable to purchase a set of dilators that gradually increase in diameter. This will help your body adapt to the size of the dilators, preventing discomfort. Dilators can be used under the guidance of a pelvic floor physical therapist. However, if you choose to use the dilators by yourself, start with a smaller size and gradually work your way up to the larger sizes. It's essential to use them frequently, at least five times a week in the early stages, to ensure that your vagina adapts to the process. In addition, it can be useful to use VuVa dilators before sexual activity to make penetration easier. The Benefits of Dilators Using dilators offers several benefits compared to others items found in the home, like using your fingers or other toys as alternatives. Dilators are specifically designed for the vagina and are hence more comfortable and safe to use. They also come in various sizes, allowing you to progressively increase their size, making it easy for your body to adapt. Medical Grade plastic dilators are the easiest to clean and keep clean.If you're considering purchasing dilators, VuVa has a wide range of affordable options. They are highly recommended by health professionals and have a variety of sizes and shapes to fit your unique needs. How are VuVa Magnetic Dilators better than regular dilators for exercises at home? 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, in contrast, 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, in turn, accelerates healing while reducing pain. Five Vaginismus Stretches to loosen up Pelvic Floor before Dilating by Dee Hartmann, DPTAnother at-home exercise that can help manage vaginismus is vaginismus stretches. These involve stretching the muscles around the vagina with dilators in the privacy of your own home. These can be helpful in the early stages of vaginismus, allowing you to manage the pain and work on strengthening the muscles. BREATHE 1. Deep diaphragmatic breathinga. With your hands on each side of your lower ribcage, take a deep breath and focus on bringing air all the way down to your hands. Feel your ribs expand as you breathe in.b. Don’t focus on guiding the breath to the upper ribcage or abdomen. Only your ribs should expand—not your chest or belly.c. As you breathe deeply, you will begin to relax which will encourage your pelvic floor muscles to re-lax. Feel your breath all the way down into your pelvis.d. After you breathe in, hold the breath for a count of 5 then breathe all the air out. Repeat 5 times. STRETCH 2. Stretch your lower abdomen (Use caution if you have IUD)a. Place the palms of both hands in the middle of your abdomen, just below your belly button.b. Scoop in and lift up on your belly with your fingers, like you are trying to pull your belly button up and out. It should not hurt! If you have an IUD, be gentle.c. You are stretching tissues all the way down into your pelvis, encouraging the urethra (carries the urine out), the bladder (holds the urine), and the pelvic floor muscles to let go.d. Scoop in and hold for a count of 10. Repeat 3 times. 3. Stretch both hipsa. Pull your right knee up toward your left shoulder. Hold it there for a count of 20.b. Repeat with your left knee to your right shoulder and hold for a count of 20.c. As you do this, you stretch hip muscles that lie very close to the muscles on the inside of the pelvis. This stretching encourages all the pelvic floor muscles to relax.d. Repeat each knee stretch 3 times, alternating sides after each stretch. MOBILIZE 4. Active bridgingWhile lying on your back, lift your knees up toward the ceiling while placing both feet flat on the bed. Let your knees and feet be apart.Squeeze your buttocks while lifting your hips up toward the ceiling, making your body straight fromyour knees to your shoulders. Your weight is balanced between your shoulders and your feet.To make the bridge, you are using muscles in your hips and low back. When you let yourself go back down, the hip and low back muscles relax. The muscles inside the pelvis tend to squeeze and relax as well.Lift and hold 3-4 times for a count of 10 with each hold. CONTRACT AND RELAX 5. Pelvic Floor Muscle Contract and Relaxa. Tighten and hold inside like you are trying to hold back urine or gas. Let go all the way. You should feel both the squeeze and the release. Do this several times until you feel the movement inside.b. Pelvic floor exercises (doing the 5-count hold and the quick squeezes = 1 set) 1) 5-count hold: Once you can feel the muscles move, squeeze and hold for a count of 5. Re-lease all the way and feel the inside relax. 2) Quick squeezes: Then, perform 5 quick squeezes, starting small and getting larger, like climbing a ladder. Release and again feel the inside relax. c. Repeat each set 3 times, feeling the muscles squeeze and relax more each time. ***If you are having trouble or pain while performing this exercise, go back and repeat the first 4 activities before trying again. Do these exercises before you use your VuVa Vaginal Dilators. Women who experience chronic vulvar pain often hold tension throughout their bodies. In addition, they often have anxiety about being touched, causing even more stress, which can create a vicious cycle of pain and holding. The activities described are meant to help you to decease overall tension, to reduce anxiety, and to help you begin to lessen pain before any type of vaginal penetration. The activities can be performed before and after vaginal penetration (like inserting tampon, during a gynecological exam, or having sex). Try to perform all 5 of these activities as soon as you wake up and before you go to sleep. It is common for women who experience pain and anxiety to breathe in their upper chest. Try to use the deep breathing pattern throughout your day. Make this your new way of breathing. These activities in and of themselves do not constitute a complete physical therapy program and are not designed to be the only thing you do to help your problem. Hopefully, you can also begin an active physical therapy treatment program with a women’s health physical therapist to help you continue to make progress. Is Vaginismus Curable? While vaginismus can be challenging, it's crucial to understand that it's curable. By practicing exercises and seeking guidance from your doctor or health professional, you can successfully overcome vaginismus. Early diagnosis and treatment can make it easier to manage, and exercises like those mentioned above can make it possible to enjoy sexual intercourse fully. How to Fix Vaginismus In conclusion, if you're experiencing vaginismus, it's essential to understand that it's a treatable condition. Through exercises and guidance from your healthcare professional, you can work on gradually overcoming it. Using VuVa dilators and vaginismus stretches are effective ways of loosening up down there and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. By following a routine of vaginismus exercises and incorporating other forms of treatment, you can overcome vaginismus and experience full sexual pleasure.Vaginismus can have a significant impact on a woman's life, but it's essential to understand that it's treatable. Dilators are an effective way of managing pain and easing penetration, and vaginismus stretches can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. It's encouraging to know that with time, patience, and the appropriate care, it's possible to overcome vaginismus completely. Seek guidance from your healthcare professional and consider purchasing magnetic dilators from a trusted source like VuVa Dilator Company to help you in your journey to recovery.
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Vulvodynia Diagnosis: What is the Q-TIP test?
Any woman who has suffered from vulvodynia pain will confirm that it is absolutely debilitating and profoundly impacts many aspects of life. Women with vulvodynia must also suffer the loss of pleasure from sex, difficulty exercising, walking or sitting, and the fear of unexpected flare-ups with no discernable cause. Needless to say, social life and working life can become difficult to manage. Do you have vulvodynia? The answer may not be clear, but we are here to help with a Q&A on vulvodynia. This article aims to answer the most pertinent questions about vulvodynia, focusing mainly on vulvodynia diagnosis methods such as the Q-tip test. We will also cover the causes of vulvodynia and the most telling vulvodynia symptoms… What is the Q-tip test? The Q-tip test, also known as the cotton swab test, is one of the go-to vulvodynia tests performed by women’s health clinicians. They consider Q-tip testing to be one of the most accurate and necessary tools in the assessment of sexual pain; in particular, pain caused by vulvodynia and provoked vestibulodynia. Q-tip testing involves a cotton swab or Q-tip to apply pressure to various (carefully mapped-out) areas within the vulvar and vestibular regions. This is done randomly, rather than in a specific order, so that the specialist can determine pain and sensitization levels. How do I know if I have vulvodynia? You may come to assume that your problem is vulvodynia through the symptoms alone, although they can vary a lot. Some women experience chronic and constant pain, while others can experience a range of symptoms, sporadically or intermittently. Some of the main vulvodynia symptoms are: Stinging pain Itching Burning pain Throbbing sensations Pulsating sensations Inflammation Muscle spasms Vulvodynia pain can start or stop suddenly, making it unpredictable and thus difficult to manage. It could be that you go for months with no pain, and then symptoms reappear without warning and become chronic. There is often no real pattern to it. It is important to remember that vulvar pain can have many origins, and many conditions share similar symptoms to vulvodynia. Furthermore, vulvodynia is a complex condition with no definitive underlying cause, and various possibilities (we’ll get into that later in the article). For this reason, it is important to get a proper vulvodynia diagnosis, which will likely involve the Q-tip test. How is vulvodynia diagnosed? To find out if you have vulvodynia, two checks are usually required. The first is an interview with a mental health professional. This interview is essentially a psychological assessment to gather information on what might be causing your pain, the affect it has on you, how long you have experienced it and what prompted you to seek treatment for it. They will endeavor to find out whether any comorbid disorders are present, what you have tried in terms of pain management and what the results were. The next is a biological assessment with an appropriately trained health care professional; perhaps a pelvic floor physical therapist or gynecologist. Sometimes this professional will also do the psychological assessment. There are two types of vulvodynia, so they will be trying to determine which you have so that it can be treated accordingly. Generalized vulvodynia Generalized vulvodynia refers to the kind of chronic pelvic pain that affects the whole vulvar area. It can come and go, or be constant, and is easily aggravated by activities and behaviors such as: Wearing tight clothes Sitting for extended periods of time Riding a horse Pressure on the area (e.g. from a bike saddle or hard chair) Some describe it as a burning pain – the sensation of the vulva being on fire. Localized vulvodynia Localized vulvodynia differs in that the pain is usually only felt in one or two specific areas in the vulva, with the pain also presenting as burning or stinging. It can sometimes feel as if a muscle is torn, or that the vagina is stretched. Pressure on one of these painful spots brings on, or exacerbates the pain. How is the Q-tip test done? Once the psychological interview is complete, your health care professional will begin the physical examination by doing a Q-tip test. Here’s what that may look like: You are placed in the lithotomy position with your legs in stirrups You will be encouraged to relax your muscles, if you can You will be informed of each step in advance so there aren’t any surprises A gauze pad will hold the labia minora in place so your vulval vestibule can be accessed The vestibule is divided into sections according to a clock face (don’t worry, this is not a physical division, but a mental map for your practitioner) A cotton swab (or Q-tip) is used to apply pressure to each section at random and you will be asked to rate the pain level on a scale of 1-10 Your pain levels will be documented in order to confirm a diagnosis This is a typical assessment for vulvodynia, but practitioners may use slight variations of this process according to their preferred methodology. How reliable is the Q-tip test? The Q-tip test is considered clinically reliable, although it is possible for some extent of human error to occur, given that the Q-tip test requires the pressure on each section to be consistent. It is possible that a practitioner might use what is known as a vulvalgesiometer instead of a cotton swab or Q-tip test. A vulvalgesiometer is a device that exerts a set level of pressure on each section of the vulva. What is the cause of vulvodynia? Although it is not definitively proven, experts think that vulvodynia could be a form of neuropathic pain. This means that the vulval nerve fibers respond as if they were pain fibers, interpreting even very delicate touch as pain. Burning and stinging sensations often characterize neuropathic pain, which lends credibility to this theory. There are three types of neuropathic pain that may cause vulvodynia: Allodynia: Pain sensations in areas that don’t normally hurt when pressure is applied Hyperalgesia: Excessive pain response to pressure that might usually cause a smaller degree of pain Dysesthesia: unusual levels of discomfort when the pressure is minimal Although you might experience all three, experts usually consider vulvodynia to fall under the category of allodynia. Other possible causes of vulvodynia are: Inflammation of the vulva Damage or irritation of the nerves of the vulva A response to long-term infection Food sensitivities Muscle dysfunction in the pelvic floor Genetic disorders Conditions impacting muscles or bones close to the pain site Autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus. What can trigger vulvodynia pain? If you already have vulvodynia, you might experience a flare-up because of any of the following: Nerve injury or irritation Abnormal vulvar cell reaction to trauma, infection or chronic inflammation Pelvic floor muscle spasms Hormonal fluctuations or changes Pressure on the bowel or bladder (when full) Hypersensitivity to vaginal yeast infections (candida) Excessive antibiotic use (also causes yeast infection) Sexual trauma or abuse Allergic reactions (e.g. irritants in personal care products and laundry detergents) Stress If you are searching for further information, this article gives some insight into the possible reasons for vulvodynia flare-ups, and some tips for managing vulvar pain. We often hear the question, “Will my vulvodynia pain go away?” and we are always pleased to answer with something positive: yes, it can and with persistence probably will, but not on its own. So it is necessary to seek treatment from an expert. Many experts recommend using vaginal dilators for vulvodynia – in particular magnetic dilators, which increase blood flow to the area to soothe nerves – and many of our customers and clinic trial participants report great results with them. Resources Sandiegosexualmedicine.com/female-diagnostic-tests/cotton-swab-test Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/is-vulvodynia-a-chronic-illness Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/foods-to-avoid-with-vulvodynia Vuvatech.com/blogs/care/vulvodynia-exercises-besides-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 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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Vaginal Dilators: Important facts you need to know
When it comes to vaginal dilators, they have two main purposes - one is they help the vagina get used to having something inside of it, and the other is they help erase the muscle memory that keeps your pelvic floor in a protection mode. Even if the size of your vagina is normal, you need to know that painful sex starts a pain cycle, which can cause a fear of penetration that results in contracting the vagina when trying to have intercourse. The dilators are a safe option to help eliminate the initial cause of pain, but bear in mind to use the smaller one and then increase up slowly. You want to end up using a dilator close to the penis size of your partner if you are sexually active. The vaginal tissues and the pelvic floor muscles start learning to hold something inside without leading to the surplus pain responses. It is a great way to make your deeper pelvic muscles relax as well, and when you have sex with an actual person, your pelvic muscles will relax as well. A vaginal dilator is also a way you can use to gently and gradually stretch tissues that are tighter and not elastic enough - it is often the case when a woman has vaginal dryness and thinning due to hormonal changes (post menopause or chemotherapy). This can arise due to skin conditions or when a vagina tissues have been affected by radiation or surgery as well. The reduction in size of the vaginal opening can always reversible, and an essential advantage of using a dilator is that you will know if you are prepared for intercourse. 10 ways VuVa Magnetic Dilators can help: When used appropriately, potential benefits of VuVa Magnetic Vaginal Dilator therapy can include: Improved physical comfort with sexual intercourse after pelvic floor surgery with scarring and narrowing and/or shortening of the vagina. Allowing pain free sexual penetration by training pelvic floor muscle relaxation. Reducing pelvic floor muscle tension or spasm with vaginismus Overcoming fear of vaginal penetration buy using dilators on a regular basis. Prevention of adhesions/fibrosis from forming during and after pelvic radiotherapy Allowing for easier use of tampons. Facilitating ease of gynecological examination. Creating natural energy to the painful area for nerve pain reduction. Helping with natural lubrication and vaginal dryness by creating blood flow to the area. Relaxing muscles immediately before intercourse to allow easy penetration by your partner. Vaginismus And Depression: The Real Deal When you notice the symptoms of vaginal muscle tightening, penetration restrictions, or vaginismus, it may leave you a little bit confused regarding your body. It can make you question yourself why it is so hard for you, and it can maker you worry and feel uncomfortable when people talk about sex around you. Doubt - When it is certain that there is something wrong - due to the patterns of being unable to have continued sex, they start doubting themselves. It is not just in the context of their physical health, but it also greatly impacts their overall mental health. Fear - In the case of vaginismus, fear is multi-pronged, and while it all starts with the fear of intercourse, the other fear also arises for failure. It further leads to the fear of relationships going down the drain and being unable to do anything about the pain - the fear only compounds with time while making the problem even more complex. Guide - The prospect of not being a "sexually adequate partner" consumes many women when they have vaginismus, especially when it is happening continuously. As a result, women start to take responsibility for everything going wrong in their relationships, and inside their minds, they start thinking that maybe it is due to the lack of sex that is causing relationship issues. When sex hurts, you can find a way out. We know that many of our readers benefit from using vaginal dilators, since they can help you to work with physical causes and prepare you for sex when the cause is psychological. Our site has so much information designed to help you, but you should also feel free to contact us if you think we can help with anything. This article was posted by VuVatech. VuVatech has their own line of Magnetic and Vaginal Dilators for Pelvic Pain. Learn more here: Vuvatech.com/pages/how-vuva-vaginal-dilators-work Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com VuVa Helpful Links: How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen How to use Vaginal Dilators How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex Vaginal Stretching - Keeping in Shape with Dilators Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life! Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain. Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here
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Vaginal Dilators are Essential, Doc Says.
Written by Dr. Elizabeth Prusak Dilators are “Essential” Vaginal dilators are an essential and beneficial medical treatment for patients who experience pelvic pain and anxiety in response to vaginal penetration. Vaginal dilators, also known as vaginal trainers or spacers are designed to gently and gradually restore and expand the tissue and muscles of the vaginal opening. Combined with the use of pelvic floor physical therapy, behavioral health therapy, correction of underlying medical issues, and some dedication and persistence on the patient’s and provider’s part, this simple tool can increase a patient's quality of life in the area of sexual intercourse and during the routine gynecological office speculum exam. Vaginal dilators are also part of the postoperative care of male to female transgender patients after their surgery to maintain a neovagina. What is a Dilator? Vaginal dilators are non sterile cylindrical medical devices that sequentially increase in diameter and/or length. They are placed inside the vagina in a gentle manner by a trained medical professional and then, after some training, by the patient to help expand the vaginal tissues that may be contracted and tight. Dilators are prescribed to patients by a wide array of medical professionals including OB/GYN physicians, physical therapists, counselors, and pain specialists. They have been in use for over 75 years in the medical field and have a long track record of success if used properly. Vaginal dilators are very unique in that they have the ability to treat the patient both psychologically and physically. How Do They Help? Dedicated usage reconditions and facilitates an adaptive body/brain connection to stop anticipatory anxiety and pelvic discomfort and pain that is often experienced by patients from a psychological standpoint. Dilator introduction and progression also treats the physical vulvar region and retrains pelvic floor muscles. Over time the muscles are stretched gently by the dilators. What Conditions Can Dilators Treat? Patients who suffer from several categories of medical conditions greatly benefit from the use of vaginal dilators. Three categories of patients encompass the clinical scenarios where vaginal dilator usage would be valuable. It is important to address underlying medical issues and be sure they are being treated first before attempting vaginal dilator usage. 1. Change in Pelvic Floor Anatomy The first category encompasses patients with conditions that have created a change in the normal pelvic anatomy. This includes postoperative patients after a hysterectomy, gender reassignment surgery, or a prolapse repair. Another type would be an alteration due to a cancer therapy, such as radiation. Also included in this group are genetic conditions where either no vagina or a rudimentary vagina is present at birth such as Mullerian agenesis or Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome. This group is amongst the more straightforward to treat, because the cause of the vaginal penetration is usually a purely anatomical issue, with less of an emphasis on the psychological area. 2. Problems with Penetration The second category are patients who have never been able to insert anything into the vagina- a tampon, a speculum, nor any sexual activity with penetration. These patients can have the desire to allow penetration, but even after multiple attempts they cannot. These also can include patients with a strong negative psychological history associated with vaginal penetration, such as those who have been raped or abused in the past. This condition is known as vaginismus and is best treated with vaginal dilators combined with regular behavioral health sessions. This group of patients is very difficult to treat and usually requires a longer time period of dilator usage and training before they achieve success. Frequent behavioral therapy sessions are key to treating these patients. 3. Pelvic Pain Conditions The third category of patients are ones who have a medical condition that causes painful or restricted vaginal penetration. This encompasses vaginal atrophy during menopause, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome, endometriosis, pelvic pain after childbirth from episiotomy or perineal tears, lichen sclerosus, chronic vaginal infections, and tumors that create a mass effect such as ovarian cysts, colon tumors and bladder cysts. Ensuring that these patient’s medical conditions are optimized and treated is very beneficial in the success for these patients. How to Talk About Dilator Use Approaching the topic of starting to use vaginal dilators with a patient is never easy, but it is usually up to the provider to initiate this discussion, because typically a patient's fear or embarrassment about the subject of unsuccessful vaginal penetration or pain is heightened even more during the office visit. 1. Creating a comfortable environment Reassuring the patient that their problem is very common and trying to put them at ease is the first step. Patients will encounter a wide array of emotions during this visit and it might take a few visits before even attempting to use dilators in the office. Showing patients the dilators and how to use them in the office is a key step, followed by co management with a pelvic floor physical therapist, behavioral health therapy, and treatment of any underlying medical conditions. 2. Longer appointment times and frequency Ensuring that the visit is allotted proper time for this type of patient is very important, so neither the provider nor the patient feels rushed. Many healthcare providers do not address vaginal dilator use at the office visit and barriers such as lack of knowledge, reimbursement issues, physician and patient embarrassment, poor communication, and lack of time are ranked as the top reasons for such problems going unaddressed. Even with a motivated patient and provider, vaginal dilator compliance remains low, so making subsequent visits at close time intervals is helpful and education is key. 3. Seek out a NAMS certified Physical Therapist Typically providers receive special training and have a special interest in treating patients with vaginal penetration issues and training with vaginal dilators, and these would be the providers most sought out by and recommended to patients with these issues. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) offers a certification for providers with this special interest, and their website has a list of certified providers. This is a good starting point for patients to look for a provider, although choosing a provider for this type of treatment is a very personal decision, and many patients have to see multiple providers before committing to one for treatment. How Do Medical Vaginal Dilator Sessions Work? A first session with vaginal dilators would entail an education session with the patient: explaining the uses of dilators and how they can help with the patient's medical condition and issues of vaginal penetration. Showing them the various sizes of dilators and explaining with simple easily understood words and language that the patient can understand should be done. Instructing the patient that they will be in a lying down position and using the dilators with lubricant or lidocaine ointment for any pain relief is the first step. Once the patient feels comfortable and wants to start and is properly positioned, the physician first inserts in the smallest dilator into the vaginal opening and allows the patient to relax around the dilator if possible, and leaves the dilator inside the vagina for 15-30 seconds before repeating and moving onto the next dilator size up. This is done in the office until the patient feels even the smallest discomfort with the largest size of dilator. The patient is instructed that different companies sell dilators and the provider recommends a set for him/her to obtain before leaving the office. For home use, the recommendation is three times a week for fifteen minutes per day being a typical goal for patients to strive to use their dilators. Then moving up from there. Patients should be instructed to write down their progress and which dilator number they are able to achieve on a weekly basis. Activities such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques can be used during dilator therapy. Scheduling and attending cognitive behavioral therapy along with this is very helpful. A follow up phone call to the patient within a week giving words of encouragement is beneficial to maintaining continuance of usage. The next follow up appointment should be within a month’s time. A good “bonus plan” for the patient also can be to recommend dilator usage prior to coitus to help relax the patient after he/she becomes more comfortable with the use of dilators. Patients should be reassured that this is a long term solution to their issue of vaginal penetration and that fast results are not going to happen, and that this is normal to achieve success slowly. It is also important to tell patients that use of vaginal dilators will need to be continued even after the patient achieves initial success, although a more infrequent basis is prudent after this. Final Word on Dilators Vaginal dilator therapy is an important part of treatment for sexual pain and vaginal penetration issues. Education and reassurance of both physicians and patients is key to a successful journey to treat this issue. Vaginal dilator therapy requires long term patience and goal setting, but it is a safe and effective therapy and is very much underutilized in the medical community. Seeking out providers who have a special interest and education in treating these issues is key for the patient to have a successful treatment. Dr. Elizabeth Prusak is a board certified OB/Gyn physician and sexual health specialist, ABOG board instructor, and medical writer who has devoted herself to helping and empowering women and transgender patients. She has spoken at several national conferences, educating other physicians on how to better approach patients with the difficult topics of menopause and sexual health. She takes a holistic approach to gynecology and emphasizes the value of a total mind and body approach to care. She has over 15 years experience with the use of vaginal dilators and pelvic floor physical therapy helping patients.
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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.
