This information is for anyone who has been given a vaginal trainer. Vaginal trainers are used to help retrain the soft tissues of the vagina. The trainers can help you to improve scar tissue after surgery, childbirth or radiotherapy and train the pelvic floor to relax and lengthen or reduce vaginal hypersensitivity. You may find improvements in the vagina in as little as three months. This leaflet is a guide only and a health care professional will advise you about using the trainers.
What are vaginal trainers?
There are different sizes of plastic tube that are tapered at one end for comfort. They can be placed at the opening of the vagina or inserted under your control. They are used with a vaginal lubricant as advised by your health professional. It is usual that you start with the smallest trainer first, you could feel some initial discomfort when the trainer is used. Do not rush to use the larger sizes, it is best to progress slowly and comfortably, this will improve your confidence. It is your decision what size trainer you progress to.
When to use vaginal trainers?
The best results are achieved if you use the trainers for about five to ten minutes, 5-6 days a week. If you are massaging scar tissue you will need to use the trainer for up to twenty minutes daily. It is important to try to get into a routine as progress will be quicker with regular use. To help you relax it may be useful to take a warm bath before you start. Ensure you have privacy and feel comfortable. Try listening to some music or light a scented candle.
How to use
- Choose a comfortable position such as sitting, resting back against pillows with your knees bent and feet on the bed.
- Ensure that you have privacy and feel relaxed.
- Using relaxed breathing, in through the nose for a count of four and out through the mouth for a count of seven is helpful. Your abdomen will slightly swell with the in breath.
- When you feel ready use a mirror to familiarise yourself with your perineum. If you feel able gently touch the areas to check how they feel. You should have no numbness or tingling. Light touch massage using lubrication can help if you are experiencing these sensations.
- Using the mirror, you will be able to locate three openings, the urethra, vagina and anus. You will be selecting the middle opening, the vagina to place the trainer.
The perineum
Just inside the vagina is the pelvic floor muscle. It attaches to the coccyx bone (tailbone) at the back and the pubis at the front it surrounds the openings of the perineum. If you place your finger into the vagina this may feel uncomfortable and firm to the touch.
The pelvic floor
It is important that the pelvic floor muscle can contract and relax. If your pelvic floor does not relax it can be difficult to pass urine and stool; insert a tampon or have sexual intercourse. The trainers can help you gain control of relaxation.
- In your comfortable position, select the trainer size and attach it to the handle. Apply some lubricant such as “YES” to the rounded tip of the dilator and the skin surrounding the vagina. Using your gentle relaxed breathing place, the tip of the trainer gently onto the vaginal opening.
- If you feel comfortable gently partially insert the trainer into the vagina in the direction of your coccyx (end of spine) and hold it in place for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove it. Do not move it around or use an in and out motion. You should feel calm and at ease with it being in place.
- When you have finished, remove the trainer and wash clean in warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly and store in the bag provided.
- If holding in place feels comfortable, then progress to gently using the tip of the trainer clockwise around the wall of the vagina, applying very gentle pressure but not giving pain. The aim is to decrease the sensitivity of the muscle, helping it to relax and lengthen. After a few tries, you will gain confidence in knowing what feels like the right amount of pressure. If the first size of trainer is comfortable over several sessions start to use the next size. Initially you may need to choose the size dependent upon how you are feeling. Continue to progress slowly.
It can be normal to feel some slight discomfort by using the trainers. This should settle with repeated use. If you have had surgery, you may have some light blood staining but not heavy bleeding. Generally, you should not experience any bleeding or pain following use of the trainers. If you experience any problems or if you feel the need for professional support, please contact your nurse or physiotherapist
It is important to understand this therapy requires a good routine, a relaxed approach and not to have an expectation that you will see a big change quickly. It will take time and there is no pressure to push yourself. Your nurse or physiotherapist will review you to check how you are progressing. If the trainers do not suit you then a vibrator may have a positive benefit, please discuss this with your health care professional.
For further information
Contact details
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy 0191 282 5484 (8am to 4pm Monday to Friday)
Urogynaecology Nurse Specialists 0191 282 9919
Useful Websites
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS services. You can contact them on freephone 0800 032 02 02, e-mail northoftynepals@nhct.nhs.uk
If you would like further information about health conditions and treatment options, you may wish to have a look at the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk
If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit https://www.accessable.co.uk
Review: March 2025
Physio/WomenHlth/Misc/DilatorLeaflet
