How do I choose the right dilators ?
is a question often asked if your health care provider has not told you exactly what to buy, or provided you with a set.

The short answer is that it depends on why you need dilation.

There are three main reasons, and two main types of dilators are:

1. VAGINOPLASTY You've had substantial constructive or reconstructive surgery and your neo-vagina needs to heal and its size and tone needs to be preserved using RIGID NON-TAPERED DILATORS. the fuller, non-tapered end will help preserve to openness and size of the top of your vagina. This might be a good dilator choice for you http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-rigid-set-4-vibratable-wand-... Your neo-vagina will require regular dilation and your health are practitioner may agree that you can use potentially more comfortable SILICONE DILATORS after you've fully recovered from surgery. In this case, these might be a good sets for you http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-silicone-vagiwell-vaginal-se... http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-silicone-set-4-purple-wellness

2. MEDICAL OR POST-TREATMENT CONDITION. Vaginismus, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, lichen sclerosis, scar tissue formation or prevention, or following trauma, birth, pelvic injury, radiation therapy or hormonal imbalance. Use of TAPERED SILICONE DILATORS will help establish or restore comfortable function of your vagina and pelvic region. These might be good choices for you: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-silicone-set-3-alena-dr-berman
http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-silicone-set-5-wearable-she-...
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3. TO increase FLEXIBILITY AND MUSCLE TONE in order to accommodate a partner or practice, and to enhance pleasurable response. In this case, you'll probably want to start with a larger SILICONE DILATOR SET and possibly experiment with vibration and self-pleasuring. These might be the best choices for you http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-silicone-vagiwell-vaginal-se...
http://www.anarreshealth.ca/product/dilator-rigid-set-4-vibratable-wand-...

Conditions that commonly benefit from the use of vaginal dilators:

* Vaginismus - inability to have penetrative sex, use tampons or undergo internal pelvic examinations due to spasm of the superficial layer of the pelvic floor muscles
* Dyspareunia - painful intercourse or penetration. This can be primary (from the first attempts at penetration) or secondary - usually at times of low oestrogen such as postnatally and at menopause
* Vulvodynia, vestibulitis - pain and/or inflammation of the tissues around the opening of the vagina which can prevent comfortable sex, use of tampons or medical examinations
* Scar tissue following surgery or vaginal birth
* To maintain the stretch and length of the vagina following radiation therapy.
* To assist post gender affirming surgery
* Pelvic pain
* History of sexual trauma
* History of female genital mutilation (FGM) also known as infibulation, and female circumcision.
* Vaginal narrowing
* Vaginal agenesis (undeveloped vagina)

Generally, using dilators alone will not fix the problem but should be seen as a part of a treatment plan that may include relaxation techniques, stretching, pelvic mobility and hands-on treatment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist.

Using vaginal dilators:

* should help reduce anxiety associated with touch and penetration around the vaginal area as well as pain

* be part of a graded exposure progress in teaching the pelvic floor muscles to gradually and gently stretch and not spasm painfully with touch or the thought of touch.

*requires privacy - where you will feel most comfortable

* should allow you to progress at your own pace, and meet your own goals.