Health Conditions That Require Vaginal Dilation
It is well advised to speak with a medical personnel if pain or anxiety is experienced during a sexual activity. The doctor therefore performs various examinations and may recommend this therapy. Vaginal dilation is used to treat a wide range of conditions, such as:
- Dyspareunia: this condition is more common in women than men. It is the form of pain that reoccurs in the genital area or pelvic area during sexual intercourse. This condition may result from dryness of the vagina due to breastfeeding, menopause or childbirth, it can also be caused by infections, uterine fibroids [2], cystitis [3], inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and many more. In order to ease the excess pain, vaginal dilation is advised.
- Imperforate hymen: this is a condition in which there is no opening to the vagina on the hymen. It occurs in at least 1 out of 50 girls. There is no major cause of this condition but there are some signs that may indicate the presence of imperforate hymen. Such signs include, lack of menstrual cycle while undergoing puberty [4], back pain, abdominal pain and little or no urination. Lack of proper treatment may lead to complications such as kidney problems, fertility problems and infections in the vagina.
- Vaginismus: this is a result of the involuntary and continuous contraction of muscles in the vaginal area. It does not disturb arousal but does not allow penetration. It is sexual dysfunction that has no particular cause and there are no physical abnormalities connected to this condition. This condition is usually managed by vaginal dilation, physical therapy and counseling.
- Menopause: this is a phase that occurs when the menstrual flow does not come for 12 months consecutively. As a result of no menstruation, the vagina may become narrow due to low production of estrogen [5]. during this phase penetration of the vagina become really painful and this therapy is advised,
- MRKH syndrome: Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome [6] is the absence of the vagina or uterus. It is also the occurrence of an underdeveloped vagina or uterus. This makes sexual activities more painful and less pleasurable. Therefore, dilators become needed to widen the canal of the vagina.
- Vaginal complications due to cancer treatment: if an individual has gone through a cancer radiation therapy, it is very possible for the vagina to get affected. In a case of pelvic surgery, the vagina may also become affected. Dilators therefore help to soften the tissues in the vagina and also make it flexible.
- Vaginal septum [7].