Vaginal dilator


A vaginal dilator is an instrument used to gently stretch the vagina. They are used when the vagina has become narrowed, such as after brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers, and as therapy for vaginismus and other forms of dyspareunia.
There is mixed evidence for their use, and studies have reported psychological damage from dilator treatment. Rectovaginal fistulae have also been linked to dilator use.
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 male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and for other 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. 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.