A vaginal dilator (sometimes called a vaginal trainer) is an instrument used to gently stretch the

vagina In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...

. They are used when the vagina has become narrowed ( vaginal stenosis), such as after

brachytherapy Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy where a sealed radiation source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment. ''Brachy'' is Greek for short. Brachytherapy is commonly used as an effective treatment for cervical, prost ...

for gynecologic cancers, and as therapy for

vaginismus Vaginismus is a condition in which involuntary muscle spasm interferes with vaginal intercourse or other penetration of the vagina. This often results in pain with attempts at sex. Often, it begins when vaginal intercourse is first attempted. ...

and other forms of dyspareunia. There is evidence for dilator use across many different diagnoses with fair to good results. This includes following

cancer treatment Cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy (including immunotherapy such as monoclonal antibody therapy) and synthetic lethality, most commonly as a series of separate treatments (e.g. ...

s and for vaginal

agenesis In medicine, agenesis () refers to the failure of an organ to develop during embryonic growth and development due to the absence of primordial tissue. Many forms of agenesis are referred to by individual names, depending on the organ affected: * A ...

conditions. The evidence presents varying approaches and protocols. Vaginal dilators, also called vaginal stents or vaginal expanders, can be inflatable and are used during surgeries. Vaginal stents are routinely used in postoperative care for patients who have undergone transgender vaginoplasty as a gender confirmation surgery. They are also used for various conditions, such as vaginal agenesis. The vaginal expander is used immediately after surgery to keep the passage from healing, and regularly thereafter to maintain the viability of the

neovagina Vaginoplasty is any surgical procedure that results in the construction or reconstruction of the vagina. It is a type of genitoplasty. Pelvic organ prolapse is often treated with one or more surgeries to repair the vagina. Sometimes a vaginoplas ...

. Frequency of use requirements decrease over time, but remains obligatory lifelong.

Use

With solid vaginal dilators, the patient starts with the smallest dilator size, then gradually increasing until the largest dilator size is reached. This practice can be accompanied by breathing exercises in order to relax the pelvic floor muscles. Dilation acts should not cause pain or bleeding. Dilatation with rigid dilators must be done carefully as vaginal perforation and urethral injury may occur. There is no consensus on the frequency and duration of using vaginal dilators. In case of vaginal expanders, the therapist or the patient introduces the deflated balloon into the vagina and then inflates it gently until the required diameter is obtained.

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References

{{Reflist Gynaecology Medical equipment

Use

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See also

References