- A vaginal dilator is a tube-shaped device that’s used to stretch your vagina.
- Vaginal dilators come in kits with different size dilators ranging from small (about the size of a finger) to large. Some kits also come with a handle to make it easier to hold the dilator while you’re using it.
 

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED

Dilators: Preferred Brands
-Soul Source Plastic Vaginal Dilators (get the full set of silicone dilators)
-VuVa Smooth Vaginal Dilators  (available on Amazon)

​

Sex Lubricant: Preferred Brands

Before you begin you should also have a sex lubricant, any of the below options are fine.

-these are all available online. You do NOT need a prescription.

​

Sliquid— This vegan-friendly water-based lubricant is free of parabens.
 

Wet Platinum Premium Lubricant — A silicone-based lubricant with minimal chemical additives. Aside from the bottle being poorly designed (leaks easily), the product itself works well and lasts. Be aware that silicone-based lubricants will stain sheets.

Organic Glide — A very popular oil-based lubricant made with olus oil, olive fruit oil, argania kernel oil and resveratrol ferment extract. Very popular with my patients because it lasts a long time and works well. 

 

Zestra Essential Arousal Oil --- Blend of botanical oils and extracts with no chemicals, hormones, parabens or drugs. Peaks in just 10 minutes and lasts up to 45 minutes!

HOW TO USE VAGINAL DILATORS
1. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the bed or couch and your knees slightly bent.
2. Spread your legs so they’re shoulder-width apart. If you have trouble doing this, you can place pillows under your knees for support.
3. Use a hand mirror to see your vaginal opening if you need to. Once you’re comfortable, take some slow, deep breaths into your belly.
4. You can also practice Kegel exercises (squeezing and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles). These things can help relax your pelvic floor muscles and make it easier to insert the dilator. If you aren’t sure how to do Kegel exercises, try Easy Kegel App.
5. Apply a water-based lubricant (such as Astroglide or K-Y ) to the dilator and the opening of your vagina. This will help the dilator slide into your vagina more easily. Don’t use petroleum jelly (Vaseline ). It can cause irritation.
6. Using gentle pressure, slowly insert the round end of the dilator into your vagina. Always insert it straight toward your spine (backbone) or at a slightly downward angle, like you’d insert a tampon. Keep inserting the dilator slowly until you feel slight discomfort or muscle tension, then stop. Never use force. Stop if you feel pain.
7. The dilator should feel snug but not painful. If you don’t feel any pressure when you insert the dilator, you might need to use a larger size.   
8. Do a set of Kegel exercises. This will help you relax your pelvic floor muscles and insert the dilator a little further. Your vagina will narrow when you contract your pelvic floor muscles and open slightly when you relax them.
9. Over time, you may be able to get the dilator in a little further.
10. Gently move the dilator inside your vagina for 5 to 10 minutes. Add more lubricant if you need it during this process.
11. Gently push the dilator in and out. This helps stretch the length of your vagina. Gently rotate the dilator in wide circles at the back, middle, and opening of your vagina. This helps stretch the width of your vagina.
I2. Take the dilator out of your vagina. After using your vaginal dilator Wash your dilator with hot, soapy water. Dry it with a clean towel or paper towel. Store it as instructed in your kit.
13. You may have a small amount of vaginal bleeding while using the dilator or after you’re finished using it. This is normal. You may want to wear a panty liner after dilator therapy.
14. If you get urinary tract infections (UTIs) often, you may want to urinate (pee) after using your dilator.

Increasing your dilator size
The goal of vaginal dilator therapy is to increase the size of your dilators slowly. When you can insert one size of a dilator completely into your vagina without any discomfort, you should start using the next size up. The goal is to insert the largest size dilator without any discomfort, if possible. Increasing the size over time will help you have more comfortable pelvic exams, vaginal sex, or both.

When to Do Vaginal Dilator Therapy?
You should do dilator therapy 3 to 4 times per week, but don’t do it 2 or more days in a row. Doing dilator therapy many days in a row may cause pain or irritation. Try to do Kegel exercises on the days you don’t use your vaginal dilator. Kegel exercises shouldn’t be painful. If you forget to do your dilator therapy or don’t have time to do it, don’t give up. Try to start again as soon as you can. Coming up with a plan or routine for yourself can help you be successful.

Additional supplies you may need.
-Vaginal Moisturizers Vaginal moisturizers (such as Replens, HYALO-GYN, and Revaree ) add moisture to your vagina. These are different from sex lubricants (see above). Vaginal moisturizers are especially helpful if you’re in menopause or are taking medications that can lower your estrogen levels. Use vaginal moisturizers at least 2 times per week, or more often if you need to. You can use them inside your vagina, at your vaginal opening, on your clitoris, and on your inner labia (the smaller folds of skin around your vaginal opening). The best time to use a vaginal moisturizer is right before bedtime. This is because it absorbs best while you’re lying flat and sleeping. Don’t use a vaginal moisturizer with dilator therapy because the moisturizer won’t absorb into your skin properly. 

​

-Vaginal Estrogen inserts can be used twice a week to rejuvinate the vaginal walls and skin.