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Q&A: Vaginismus Dilators

Q&A: Vaginismus Dilators

Dear Sh!

I've just been told I have something called Vaginismus. I've spent years wondering why I couldn't have proper sex with boyfriends (and usually getting dumped because of it). I've never heard of Vaginismus before, and it sounds pretty bad!

I was told to get myself a dilating kit for Vaginismus treatment. Can you help?

Hi there,

Vaginismus is more common than you may think. We speak to hundreds of women with Vaginismus each year, so you are not alone.

What is Vaginismus? 

Vaginismus is a condition where the muscles in and around the vagina go into spasm.

This makes intercourse either very painful and difficult or even impossible. Vaginismus often has psychological roots. Working to "repair" yourself physically and addressing any psychological issues about sex you may have deep down (whatever they are and wherever they may have come from) is the way forward. Above all, don't despair because Vaginismus can be conquered.

Along with therapy, vaginal dilators are usually recommended.

There are several dilating kits available online. A standard hard plastic dilating set is often prescribed, but this looks and feels very "medical." Because of this, we developed our Vaginal Dilating Kit.

Our set comprises 4 tapered silicone dilators, each graded in size like a standard vaginismus dilating kit. The difference is that there's a pocket in the base of each dilator which holds a small (but mighty) bullet vibrator.

Vibration helps vaginal muscles relax and makes the process more pleasurable.

The advantage of vibrating dilators is that vibrations help relax tense vaginal muscles, and you can have fun stimulating your labia and clit. Compliance is usually the problem with the dilating issue - but if you have pleasurable vibes to encourage you, you're much more likely to want to do your 'treatment.'

The most important thing is to try not to despair or give up on yourself - Vaginismus is beatable! We recommend connecting with Vaginismus Network Instagram so you have community support through your journey.

Customer Responds:

Just wanted to thank you all for advice about Vaginismus. I was really quite depressed about the whole thing and your comments have really helped. I got your kit off this website, and it's really great. I showed it to my doctor and she was totally impressed! I've seen the NHS ones and they looked awful. I'm only at number 2, but I really feel much more positive and as I've never had a vibrator I've actually enjoyed experimenting with rubbing my clit - WOW! Thanks again!

More advice about Vaginismus and painful sex here.

1 comment

Dear Sh! Thank you for running this article about vaginismus. It is so great to see vaginismus being brought to light like this. Just in case it might help anyone currently suffering from it, just to say that I had vaginismus and it really affected my life and relationships until I was able to find out what it was. Some of the worst things about having vaginismus were feeling different and faulty. But it is just not true. Any partner that is worth having, is going to be willing to be patient with you too. I now consider myself cured and vaginismus is part of my past. It did take some work to get there, but it does get better. In my case it was a process rather than an event. I had therapy with BASRT (British Association of Sexual and Relationship Therapy) therapist. Most important is to be kind and patient to yourself.
At that time I was working through vaginismus, the only trainers available were the standard ones. It is fantastic to see Sh offering the far more appealing Sh Training Kit!

Jo

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