Pelvic Floor Strengthening

If you’re reading this web page you probably have at least a vague notion that a woman’s pelvic floor sits under everything else in the pelvic cavity and holds lots of neighbouring organs in place. The two most important are the bladder and the vagina.

If the pelvic floor, or rather the collection of muscles that form it are nice and strong they’ll happily support the bladder and vagina, keeping them in place so they can function as expected.

But if these muscles aren’t in good shape then things can start to sag down and allow the bladder and vagina to loosen up and move. These pelvic floor muscles can be weakened by such mundane things such as:

- supporting the weight of the uterus during pregnancy

- vaginal childbirth, which may overstretch the muscles

- the pressure of obesity

- chronic constipation and straining to poo

- constant coughing

- some forms of surgery that require cutting the muscles (including prostate cancer treatment in males)

- lower levels of oestrogen after menopause

- pelvic floor muscle tension caused by painful periods, endometriosis

Exercising the pelvic floor is essential to help improve the strength, flexibility and control of the pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal dilators (also known as vaginal trainers) are tools which can help to restore or expand the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal wall tissues. They are often recommended for a combination of reasons:

- leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or running

- failing to reach the toilet in time

- passing wind from either the anus or vagina when bending over or lifting

- reduced sensation in the vagina

- tampons that dislodge or fall out

- a distinct bulge at the vaginal opening

- a sensation of heaviness in the vagina

- a heaviness or dragging in the pelvis or back recurrent urinary tract infections, or recurrent thrush

- vulval pain, pain with sex, inability to orgasm.

Using vaginal dilator sets can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles as part of a structured programme in order to counter any of the above symptoms. 

Many brands of vaginal dilators are available in the UK, including Kegel8, Amielle, Femmax and Soul Source, all of which are fit for purpose and may well be suitable for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.

However our Vagiwell branded dilators are in our opinion the best quality available, made from the highest grade medical silicone and designed to be medical devices, issued by clinics and Gynecologists. Take a link to this web page to your next consultation and let your healthcare professional confirm that these are the best devices for you and your treatment programme.