Dilator or Vibrator? That is the question!

I got my pink set of dialators over three years ago and still force myself to use them a couple of times a week. Hate doing it but still make the effort. Sometimes I still get a bit of blood on the tip. I mentioned this to the hospital doctor a while ago and she said to use them every day! I thought that was a step too far.. and other doctors have agreed. My vagina has definitely shortened. I agree about them being the worst side effect

Hi Galanthophile, obviously it’s personal choice but you might well find that something made of silicon, like a vibrator, feels more comfortable. I was chatting with the nurses at my 2nd brachy last Tuesday and they said to me that if it was happening to them they’d use a vibrator instead of dilators.

Fantastic solution! Pauline has found an alternative - sadly not a vibrator - but something called Perifit. It has yet to arrive but I'm happy to send information after Pauline has tried it. It's a silicone kegel exerciser that has an app and you can play games using the kegel wand and your pelvic floor muscles. Sounds fun!

Hi Emma, has she checked with her Brachy nurse about this? My concern would be that the Perifit is only 4 inches long (only 3 inches to be inserted), as it’s designed for the kegel/pelvic floor muscles. The NHS dilators are 6” long (as is the vibrator I have). I think the Perifit is slightly narrower too than the larger two of the NHS dilators. Nothing wrong with using it for the pelvic floor, but it’s the whole vaginal canal we’re trying to stretch, and I think any narrowing usually starts from the top as that’s where the brachy was targeted. It’s quite expensive too but that’s a lesser concern than whether it actually does what needs to be done. 

Thanks for that very useful heads-up MarmiteFan59 I will check this out with our CNS. x

Hi All. I put vegetable pate into the Holland and Barrett search and up popped some vegetable shaped vibrators-sweet corn, aubergine and carrot!!  I can’t say that they would be the recommended length for medical purposes but it did make me smile and it’s a novel way of getting one of your five a day!!!  xxcan’t find a carrot emoji so have put a banana instead xx

Walkinglady laughed out loud at this! This'll put a smile on my face all day

Barb xx

I know this is an old post but which one did you buy please? 

I bought a silicon one from a company called Look Fantastic. I’m not sure if they do the actual model now, but it’s worth a look. Their packaging is plain and discreet, and I liked that seeing the words Look Fantastic on my bank statement didn’t give anything away.

Thank you. I'll take a look. Ooh, I just had a look but it's a bit out of my price bracket.