Dilators and Pelvic Wands
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Good morning/afternoon/evening/middle of the night, Bestie! I hope your day is going well, wherever in the world you may be. Today, I wanted to talk a little bit about dilators. I have mentioned dilators and/or dilation in a few earlier chats, and I wanted to make sure we’re on the same page about what dilators are and what dilation really means, in the context of the pelvic floor.
If you missed our chat on basic pelvic floor anatomy, or if you just need a refresher, check that out here before we get started.
So, what is a dilator and why is it giving me *taboo * vibes?
A dilator is a plastic or silicone rod that is used to stretch the tissues of the vagina, rectum, or pelvic floor. They are often prescribed for use in folks who are suffering from pelvic pain or pain with penetration. Dilators have a rounded tip and may or may not be tapered at the end. They are smooth and long enough for one end to be held while the other end is inserted into the vagina. They may be hollow and lightweight or solid and slightly heavier. A dilator may also come with a detachable handle to make holding it easier.
Untapered and tapered vaginal dilators
Dilators come in all different sizes, with sizes often described by the diameter in millimeters. When you move from one dilator to the next size up, it may seem like a big transition, but there is probably no more than a couple millimeter difference in the diameters. Note that dilator sizes are not standardized. If you are going to be progressing from a smaller sized dilator to larger dilators during your treatment, you’ll probably want to stick with one dilator brand and use their dilator sets in the recommended progression. One company’s extra small dilator may be different than another company’s.
I also want to make it abundantly clear that a dilator is a medical treatment device and is not the same as a dildo. Its purpose is not for pleasure, but rather to improve various symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. I think folks often feel sort of uncomfortable talking about dilators because they bear a resemblance to dildos, to which I say the following: 1. Why are dildos taboo in the first place? Why is female pleasure something we still feel so uncomfortable addressing in this day and age? And 2. Dilators are the pelvic floor equivalent of a foam roller. If your doctor told you that you needed to roll out your glutes after working out, and you felt no shame, stigma, or taboo energy around the use of the foam roller, then channel that same energy toward your dilator!
Where should I buy a dilator?
There are tons of companies out there that sell dilators. The first step to determine where to buy a dilator is to figure out what kind of dilator you would benefit from. This is where it will be beneficial to see a professional. A pelvic floor specialist will assess your pelvic floor, talk with you about your symptoms, and recommend whether you get a dilator and what kind of dilator you should start with. Your provider will have specific recommendations for which size dilator to start with and can train you on how to use it in the most beneficial way for you.
Dilators can be found on Amazon, but you can also buy directly from reputable companies such as Intimate Rose, NewFlora, and Syracuse Medical (CMT). I’ll place the links to dilators below, as well as my discount codes. Your provider may even be able to give you a dilator that is covered by your insurance, so if money is a barrier, look into what things are covered by your insurance policy.
Dilators are often sold in packs. They usually come in sets of four different sizes so that you can progress to the next size up as you become comfortable. You may or may not need all four dilators in this pack. This will depend on your starting point and your end goals. Again, your pelvic floor specialist will be able to give you guidance on whether you would benefit from purchasing dilators in a set, or if you will be able to get what you need out of a single dilator.
What is a pelvic wand?
A pelvic wand is nothing more than a curved dilator. It is typically used to get to harder-to-reach parts of the pelvic floor, such as your levator ani muscles. They may also reach your obturator internus muscles which are not technically pelvic floor muscles, but can play a role in pelvic pain.
Pelvic wand
How are rectal dilators different than vaginal dilators?
Rectal dilators are used to stretch or desensitize the tissues of the anus and rectum. They can be used for symptoms related to constipation, IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease), anal intercourse, and much more. These types of dilators are typically smaller than vaginal dilators. Rectal dilators will almost always have a tapered end to make insertion more comfortable and they should also have a flat or wide base in order to prevent loss of the dilator into the rectum. Vaginal dilators, in contrast, may or may not have a wide base since the vagina has a natural stopping point.
Other types of dilators:
There are a few other types of dilators I have yet to mention. These include vibrating pelvic wands and expanding dilators. A vibrating dilator or pelvic wand introduces light vibration to the tissues in order to further alleviate pain. Think of a Theragun or a Hypervolt—two very common massage tools athletes and normal folks use to massage sore muscles. A vibrating pelvic wand works similarly. It provides gentle vibration to help the tissues it is targeting to relax. This is different from a vibrator because it is not intended for use over the clitoris for clitoral stimulation.
An expanding dilator, such as the Milli dilator, can expand in size. This type of dilator is more expensive than a typical dilator since it is much more high-tech, but may be worth the investment since it could mean buying only one dilator rather than a set of four to six.
Next time we will talk more about what types of symptoms or diagnoses would constitute use of a dilator and how to go about actually using it. It’s more than just inserting it into the vagina and praying. I can’t wait to chat soon!
XOXO,
Your Pelvic Bestie
Links to products mentioned:
At Intimate Rose, use coupon code SARAHCLINE for 10% off your order!
Intimate Rose Vaginal Dilators
Intimate Rose Vibrating Pelvic Wand
At NewFlora, use code YOURPELVICBESTIE for $5 off of your order!
NewFlora Vibrating Pelvic Wand
Other Dilators
Syracuse Medical Vaginal Dilators
*The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
