Do Vaginal Dilators Work?

Key Takeaways:

• Effective Treatment: Vaginal dilators are a safe and effective option for treating various pelvic pain conditions, including vaginismus, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain.
• Targeted Therapy: Unlike sex toys, dilators are specifically designed for therapeutic purposes, offering targeted relief for specific pelvic conditions.
• Positive Research: Studies indicate that vaginal dilators are effective in treating conditions like vaginismus, showing better results than alternative methods.
• Variety of Options: Dilators come in different materials and sizes, with modern designs, such as the Milli device, offering discreet and convenient use.
• Complementary Practices: Combining dilator use with breathing techniques and pelvic floor exercises can enhance the therapy’s effectiveness.

Pain with sex — or any pelvic pain — can be incredibly distressing. Conditions such as vaginismus, dyspareunia, or hormonal changes like menopause can make it challenging to achieve intimacy with your partner, seek medical care because of painful exams, and can have an overall negative impact on your mental health. Fortunately, there is a safe and effective option for treating your symptoms.

We’re talking about dilators, of course! Let’s start with the basics.

What are dilators?

Dilators, sometimes called inserts or trainers, are medical devices designed to help alleviate the symptoms of various pelvic conditions. Through gentle insertion into the vaginal canal (with lubricant!), dilators work by slowly stretching the vaginal tissue and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. To maximize their impact, you can combine dilator use with breathing techniques and pelvic floor or Kegel exercises.

Benefits of Vaginal Dilator Therapy

Conditions that dilators can help with include:

• Vaginismus
• Dyspareunia
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Vaginal stenosis
• Vaginal atrophy related to menopause, cancer treatment, or hormonal changes.
• Gender-affirming surgical procedures

Are Dilators the Same as Sex Toys?

A lot of people ask if dilators are really just the same as vibrators or phallic-shaped sex toys like dildos. Although they are similar, dilators are designed specifically for the treatment of pelvic conditions and thus offer a more targeted therapy. That being said, you know your body best. If you find that using certain sex toys improves intimacy and alleviates your pain, feel empowered to use what works for YOU.

Do Vaginal dilators really work?

Simply put, yes. Although research is still catching up to the impact of dilator use on the full breadth of conditions they can treat, the data thus far is encouraging. One study published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy¹ showed that dilators are superior to “finger use” in treatment for vaginismus. The bottom line is that dilators are an effective, safe, and convenient option for treating your pelvic pain.

Choosing the Right Vaginal Dilator

There are many dilators available for purchase. They are usually made of plastic and silicone and are shaped with a rounded end to allow comfortable insertion into the vagina. Historically, there have been what are called “static” dilators on the market. These can come in all shapes and sizes — some are straight, some are curved, some are rigid, and others are flexible.

They can be made from various materials, like hard plastic, silicone, medical-grade latex, and glass. They typically come in sets/kits of progressively larger sizes, so a patient can advance to the next size as their insertion comfort improves and confidence levels increase. This usually means having to store multiple phallic-shaped devices in a bedside drawer.

On the other hand, the Milli expanding Vaginal Dilator is an all-in-one device that stores inside a discreet case that looks similar to a toothbrush case.

Milli, The Expanding Vaginal Dilator

Meet Milli, the only expanding vaginal dilator on the market indicated to help relieve the symptoms of vaginismus (a condition that involves tightening of the vaginal muscles) and related painful sex. Milli gradually expands millimeter-by-millimeter. It is user-controlled, meaning you are in charge of the expansion. Milli was designed for the contemporary woman – empowering her in her wellness.

Starting that discussion is often the hardest part, but the more you open up, the more empowered you become to act. And if you ever feel alone in your pain, we hope Milli can be a community you turn to for support. We believe everyone deserves to live their lives pain-free, and we are committed to helping you get there.

References:

1 Aslan, M., Yavuzkır, Ş., & Baykara, S. (2020). Is “Dilator Use” More Effective Than “Finger Use” in Exposure Therapy in Vaginismus Treatment? Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 46(4), 354–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2020.1716907

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