Six Tips for Incorporating Vaginal Dilators into Your Self Care Routine

We all know the daily drill- we wash our face, remove our makeup, dental floss and brush our teeth. Most of us couldn’t even imagine going to sleep without this routine. However, if you are post-menopausal, have undergone cancer treatment such at chemotherapy, or radiation, and/or suffer from vaginismus, then you are possibly experiencing dyspareunia, or pain with intercourse. Other causes of this painful condition could be sexual trauma, or women that suffer from vulvar pain conditions. If any of these situations apply to you then you might want to add one more important thing to your self-care routine- the use of vaginal dilators.  

The most comfortable vaginal dilators are made of silicone that is flexible and resembles body tissue. They are phallic shaped, but not anatomically correct. They typically come in eight sizes, and start small- approximately the size of a women’s pinky- and increase to the size of a very large erect penis. Most women will want to progress up in size to that of their partner.

Many women find that routinely using vaginal dilators leads to reduced pain with intercourse. There is also increased blood flow to the vaginal tissue which is helpful in the healing process and also helps to maintain healthy tissue. Women suffering with vaginismus may also experience improvement in their self-esteem and mental health. Before using dilators, always check with your health care provider.

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Six Tips for Incorporating Vaginal Dilators into Your Self Care Routine Approx 630 words.

We all know the daily drill- we wash our face, remove our makeup, dental floss and brush our teeth. Most of us couldn’t even imagine going to sleep without this routine. However, if you are post-menopausal, have undergone cancer treatment such at chemotherapy, or radiation, and/or suffer from vaginismus, then you are possibly experiencing dyspareunia, or pain with intercourse. Other causes of this painful condition could be sexual trauma, or women that suffer from vulvar pain conditions. If any of these situations apply to you then you might want to add one more important thing to your self-care routine- the use of vaginal dilators.  

The most comfortable vaginal dilators are made of silicone that is flexible and resembles body tissue. They are phallic shaped, but not anatomically correct. They typically come in eight sizes, and start small- approximately the size of a women’s pinky- and increase to the size of a very large erect penis. Most women will want to progress up in size to that of their partner.

Many women find that routinely using vaginal dilators leads to reduced pain with intercourse. There is also increased blood flow to the vaginal tissue which is helpful in the healing process and also helps to maintain healthy tissue. Women suffering with vaginismus may also experience improvement in their self-esteem and mental health. Before using dilators, always check with your health care provider.

Here are five tips that can help you incorporate vaginal dilators sin to your self-care routine.  

• 1) Find a quiet relaxing place where you won’t be interrupted for 15-20 minutes. You definitely don’t want your kids banging on your bedroom door while dilating! Try to dedicate a set time or days of the week you will be dilating. Creating this routine will help you to stay committed to your goal.  You can also play soothing music, or try taking a relaxing bath before dilating.  
• 2) Wash your dilator before insertion in warm soapy water. “Warming” the dilator this way make insertion more comfortable. It is important to use a high-quality water-based lubricant, and be generous with the lubricant, both on the dilator, and also on your vulva. Never use a silicone lubricant with a silicone dilator, it will affect the integrity of the material.  
• 3) It is important to find a position that works for you. Don’t be afraid to try adding pillows to prop yourself up. Many women find  it is most comfortable to lay on their back, with their knees bent.
• 4) Try incorporating deep breathing techniques. Here is the link to some really helpful information from the Women’s’ College Hospital in Canada. It is their “relaxation, Breathing and Visualization” instructions.  
• 5) Start slow and gradually increase the size of the dilators you are using.  When you can comfortably accommodate a particular size, you can then move up to the next size. On the day you want to transition to a larger size, insert the smaller size first and leave it in about half the time you plan to dilate, then remove that dilator and immediately insert the next (well lubricated!) size.
• 6) You might need to take breaks. Some discomfort is okay, but pain is not. Progress isn’t always linear, and there are health care professionals that can help you on this journey. Your physician might refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist. You can also access a list of pelvic floor physical therapists here, a list provided by the American Physical Therapy Association  

Hopefully these tips will help you to bring dilation use, or progressive vaginal therapy, into your routine. Keep focused on your goals and the benefits that await you: improved sexual function; reduced pain; and better self-esteem.