We frequently get customers coming to us referred by Health Care Professionals suggesting people look at using a slim vibrators and personal lubricants to help overcome some sorts of the sexual issues.
Slim lined vibrators can be used in conjunction with medical dilators and personal lubricants or as an alternative as some women find medical dilators uncomfortable. The combination can be useful in a range of situations including post operative scarring, vaginal tightness, vaginismus, post childbirth, when sex feels painful, decreased sensation, vaginal atrophy and more.
Vaginal tightness may occur as a result of post op scaring following surgery or as a side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after post cancer treatment. These may cause discomfort, pain or decreases in sexual sensation, making it more difficult for women to experience pleasure or reach orgasm. Medical Dilators are typically used to to treat vaginismus, vulvodynia, Lichens Sclerosus and physical effects of ageing through menopause.
Medical Dilators are often made from hard plastic which may feel clinical and even uncomfortable against the delicate skin of the vaginal area. We have had some women comment that they prefer to use a vibrator over dilators because it feels less clinical and more pleasurable. They see using a vibrator as a way of stepping away from medical treatments and closer to enjoying sexual pleasure and intimacy again. On the other had we have also had women state that they would stay with the medical dilators rather than a vibrator because it feel too sexual and not right for their situation.
Every Body is different.
Some people find that using both medical dilators and vibrators to be a good combination that can be adjusted based on changing symptoms and or mood/desire. Medical dilators can help to stretch the tight tissues of the vagina while a slim vibrator can help with healing by encouraging blood flow and increased natural lubrication to the vulva and vaginal areas.
Bliss only stocks vibrators made from body safe products. Body safe silicone has a velvety touch and is gentle on the delicate tissues of the vagina, vulva and clitoris. Here is a selection of slim shaped vibrators that could be useful to alleviate some of the symptoms mentioned above;
- Daisy by Svakom - is a slim and firm vibrator with a more ridged design.
- Anya by Svakom - is a slim softer vibrator with some flexibility.
- Cici by Svakom - is very slim with a flexible head designed for G-Spot Stimulation or external stimulation.
- Lovelife Cuddle by OhMiBod - has a slightly more phallic tip but is still cute, on the slimmer side and it is smaller than it looks.
- Lovelife Cuddle Mini by OhMiBod - is small, even though it looks a little bulbous it is only 3cm diameter at its widest point.
- Iroha Mikazuki - is gorgeous and made for those just starting with vibrators, it is soft, slim and has just the right amount of flexibility in it for those just starting with vibrators or who like slimmer vibrators.
- Iroha Minamo - this is the same category as the Mikazuki but with some gorgeous waves in the design that make it more supple.
- Iroha Zen - is squishy at the top and the widest diameter is 3.4cm.
- OhMiBod Original - This is a basic cylindrical vibrator shape, 2.8cm diameter. It can be connected to your phone so it will vibrate in time with your favourite playlist if that works well to help you relax.
- Patchy Paul by Fun Factory - Is a little odd looking but it is the original product from Fun Factory and the quality has stood the test of time. At its narrowest, it is 2.8cm diameter progressing to 4.4cm. It is built as a G-spot vibrator but the curve in the tip which is the narrowest may be a good starting point. The motor in Fun Factory products produces a strong vibration.
- Racy by Pillow Talk - This is one of the smaller G-spot vibrators on the market. It is pretty, has a soft finish and the reviews on vibrations from this product have been really very good. We sell a lot of the larger Sassy which looks the same so I would say the reviews on this one are true to their word. It may depend on where your pelvic floor tight or where you have scare tissue as to whether the curve in this or any other product is right for you.
- Rave by We-Vibe - This product is strong, well made and is popular in our store. Again it is curved so maybe ask your Health Care Provider if the curve is likely to work for you.
- ROMP Hype G-Spot Vibrator - This is new and made by the makers of Womanizer products, leaders in SexTech. This is from the new lower price point range they have brought out and it has already sold out once in the last month with the distributor in Australia. It is about the 3cm in diameter and has a soft tip. They are a good product for the price from a quality manufacturer.
- Gigi 2 by Lelo is a quality product, sleek design and I think slim enough for your purposes but also in the higher price point.
- ROMP Jazz Rabbit Vibrator - pretty much like the hype but with a clitoral arm.
- Angel Warming Rabbit Vibrator by Svakom - now some people find a product that is warm is more relaxing and they have less of a reflex when it comes into contact with the entrance to the vagina. Diameter is about 3.3mm.
- Trysta by Svakom - we sell a lot of these and the size may be better suited to people who are ready to step up in width of a product but still want something slim.
- YES organics Water-based or Oil Based - Natural quality products developed by two women in the UK.
- Olive and Bee is an oil based product designed by a pelvic physio in Adelaide. Makes a great body moisturiser as well, all-natural but if you have issues with bee products then its not for you.
- Viamax organic is an oil-based lubricant from Europe. Sells amazingly well and as far as oil-based products go it is probably the least messy. They also do a water based which sells well considering the price.
- The other products that are good are the System Jo products - I would suggest the H2O, Agape or Actively Trying ranges. No nasties, a great price and you can get 30ml bottles in the range so you can try more than one out.
- Astroglide Organix or Astroglide Water-Based Glycerin and Paraben Free Personal Lubricant, this one sold out quickly and has people asking for it every time it sells out. Are good quality at a good price.
- If you want a no nasties lubricant in a mid price range Sliquid H2O or Organics ranges are great. Sassy in that range is a great supper cushie lubricant it is designed for anal play but for those that want a lubricant with a little more cushioning it can be used vaginally too. Silk from the naturals range or the organics range is also a fantastic lubricant, it is a hybrid so it is primarily water-based but has a little bit of silicone in there so it makes it extra slippery but can generally still be used with toys (conduct a test patch on your toys to make sure).
We also stock Inspire Silicone Dilator 3 and 5 piece sets. The 5 Piece set is a set of graduated dilators made from velvety soft silicone which are extremely flexible, that may feel a little less clinical. The 3 piece set includes two of the larger dilators and a bullet vibrator that can be placed inside the dilator and turned into a vibrator. Your Health Care Professional will be able to tell you if the curve and flexibility of these dilators is suitable for your needs.
How might a vibrator help?
Promote healing of scar tissue
Using a slim vibrator can help promote healing of scar tissue by increasing the blood supply to the area. A slim vibrator can be gently manipulated like you would a dilator to stretch scar tissue (may not be suitable if the body of the vibrator has flex in it, again consult you health care professional). Vibrators are good for promoting natural vaginal lubrication which in turn making penetration of any sort feel more comfortable. Using a quality lubricant can also nourish the skin.
Vaginismus
Vaginismus in which the pubococcygeus muscle involuntarily tenses, like a protective reflex. It can affect a woman’s ability to engage in sexual intercourse, causes pain and can be very distressing. The tensed muscle make penetration difficult or even impossible. In working with a pelvic physiotherapist in combination with a sex therapist a woman can learn to regain control of her pelvic muscles using various relaxation and release techniques. These techniques often include medical dilators progressively increasing in size.
Just as with the medical dilators when using a slim vibrator a woman can control the depth of which she introduces the vibrator into her vagina. She can also choose the speed and intensity of the vibrations. Using gentle vibrations can help the muscles to relax, like a massage would on any other muscle in the body that is tense. It may also increase sensation which can make the whole experience more pleasurable.
Menopause
Vaginal atrophy is the thinning, drying and inflammation of the walls of the vagina from a loss of oestrogen during and after the menopause. This can cause burning pain and discomfort but the use of an organic lubricant or vaginal moisturiser can nourish and lubricate the vaginal walls. This may help ease any discomfort or pain in general movement and sexual intercourse. A slim vibrator can help to gently stretch the vaginal walls making them more flexible and it can also help promote natural lubrication as well.
Increases sensation
Sometimes the vulva and or vaginal area can have decreased sensation following surgical or medical treatments, menopause can also impact this. The use of a slim vibrator can stimulate the nerve endings in the clitoris, vulva and vagina creating pleasure and can help a woman redefine what that is moving forward.
Useful Websites
Jean Hailes: www.jeanhailes.org.au
Women's Health Research Institute of Australia www.whria.com.au
Pelvic Pain Foundation www.pelvicpain.org.au
The Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society (ANZVS www.anzvs.org
Vulval Pain Society : www.vulvalpainsociety.org
Australian Physiotherapy Association www.australian.physio
Society of Australian Sexologist www.societyaustraliansexologists.org.au
QENDO www.qendo.org.au
AskEve: www.eveappeal.org.uk – online and phone support by specialist oncology gynaecology nurses
Dr Louise Newson, menopause specialist : www.menopausedoctor.co.uk
The Daisy Network- www.daisynetwork.org.uk- charity for premature ovarian insufficiency
British Menopause Society- thebms.org.uk
Menopause Support : menopausesupport.co.uk
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document should be read as general in nature and is only to provide and overview of the subject matter. Please read product packaging carefully and follow all instructions. Seek advice specific to your situation from your medical professional or mental health professional. Safe - Sane - Consensual
