This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are noticing changes in your body or have questions about your health, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Summary

If the word dilator is new to you, we have a comprehensive blog (What Are Dilators) that takes the mystery out of them. In a nutshell, a dilator is essentially a tube-shaped device designed to gently stretch your vagina. They are designed to gently support vaginal comfort and flexibility over time. So, what does the science say about them?

This was a summary article that looked at all the other scientific research out there on dilators to look at trends and outcomes. The end summary goes like this — if you use dilators, consistency of use, alongside meditation, you can improve vaginal comfort: "Factors that showed trends toward improved patient outcomes were length of dilation treatment (greater than 3 months) and use of meditation and soothing music."

It is important to note that it takes time. Changes in vaginal comfort and flexibility can develop gradually, and improvement takes time — it is rarely something that shifts overnight. Per the study, dilators showed the most benefit when used consistently for 3 months or more. The study also found that participants who used dilators alongside topical hormone options tended to see stronger results — if you have questions about hormone-based approaches, that's a conversation to have with your healthcare provider.

You can view the whole study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32014450/