There are a number of different sizes, shapes, and types of dilator products on the market, but not all dilators are the same.
There are four very important considerations when choosing a dilator:
Let’s look at each of these in more detail.
Material
Most dilators are manufactured from plastic or silicone. The goal of using a dilator is to help you with pain or discomfort with penile penetration, medical exams, tampon usage, and recovery from medical procedures, such as cancer treatment.
Plastic is a hard material that will keep its form throughout use; however, it’s not as comfortable or lifelike as silicone. For those trying to reintroduce sexual activity, it’s usually not the best choice.
Magnetic dilators include magnets molded inside plastic. The theory behind using magnets is it increases the blood flow in the tissue and muscles, which is believed to reduce pain.
While in theory it could help, and magnet-based devices have some potential, there is a lack of supporting clinical evidence.
Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of magnets on pain with mixed results, and some risks were discovered, which should be considered.
You can read more about research on the benefits and risks of using magnets here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6323575/.
The least common material used to manufacture dilators is silicone. When Intimate Rose introduced dilators to their product offering, all material options were considered, and ultimately silicone was chosen because it is the highest quality and maximum comfort to people suffering from pain.
One thing to consider about silicone dilators is they are not all the same, and it can often be difficult to tell the difference online. Each type of silicone will be a little different in terms of hardness and smoothness.
Intimate Rose uses a proprietary finishing process that creates the smoothest dilators on earth, which are firm enough to hold their shape yet soft enough to be comfortable and lifelike.
A major benefit of silicone used by Intimate Rose is the level of smoothness. It's important when the dilators are inserted and removed, as a sticky or rough silicone may not feel as comfortable.
The softness of the silicone is also important, because if it’s too soft, it will not help you open and relax the pelvic floor muscles, but if it’s too hard, it will be uncomfortable.
The Intimate Rose team, with over a decade of experience treating women with pelvic pain in the clinic, has seen all types of dilators and created a special silicone and smoothing process that is the best in its class.
Safety & Quality
We purchase, use, and consume products that are manufactured and distributed around the world.
In the United States, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
Vaginal dilators fall into this category and should be registered with the FDA. As of the date this blog was posted, Intimate Rose has the most FDA compliance of any company selling vaginal dilators.
The vast majority of dilator companies has no FDA registration or compliance at all, yet many claim to be safe because they are manufactured in the USA.
No other dilator company has done the same level of testing or complies with FDA guidelines as fully as Intimate Rose.
Size & Shape
As previously mentioned, vaginal dilators are used to help reach a goal of eliminating pelvic pain and discomfort related to penile penetration, medical exams, tampon usage, and more.
In most cases, a patient will need to progress through multiple dilator sizes to reach their goals. It is important to begin at the correct size and gradually progress toward your goal through a series of sizes.
The use of vaginal dilators and progression through the sizes should be comfortable. The material used in the dilators and the training recommendations will contribute to the level of comfort with use.
Therefore, it’s critical to have a gradual increase in length, width, and circumference of each dilator as you make progress to ensure a comfortable journey toward your goals.
Evidence-Based Training Guides
Intimate Rose is the only dilator company with a certified pelvic rehabilitation therapist on their staff. Dr. Amanda Olson has created more than 100 videos on YouTube about pelvic rehabilitation and related topics, as well as dozens of articles on IntimateRose.com.
The training guides she has created for the dilators are the best in their class, not only because they are based on well-accepted, evidence-based practices, but also because Dr. Olson has treated women who need dilators for over a decade.
Her ability to teach patients and other doctors about the best ways to use dilators has made her known around the world as an expert in the field. No other dilator company has someone with Dr. Olson’s track record and expertise.
Conclusion
At Intimate Rose, helping you live your best life is our highest priority. This is why we’ve made the best vaginal dilators in the world with the highest quality silicone material, registered with the FDA, sized for your comfort, and accompanied by training materials from a world-renowned expert.
We believe so much in our product, we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee with no questions asked. Shop our dilator products, bundles, and related items to help you feel better.