Women might need to have vaginal dilation therapy as a result of a variety of conditions, the most common of which are probably: Vaginismus and Dyspareunia, Vaginoplasty (including SRS and GRS), Vaginal Agenesis and Vaginal Stenosis.

The overriding aim of Femistent is to help women overcome vaginal problems which require the therapeutic use of vaginal dilators.

Vaginismus & Dyspareunia
Vaginismus is a distressing condition for both the male and female partners in a relationship. It occurs when involuntary spasms within the woman’s pelvic muscles make penetration either very painful or maybe even impossible. However, it is not a result of any genital abnormality nor does it indicate a lack of libido or sexual attraction. Dyspareunia, which is sometimes confused with vaginismus, is pain during or after sexual intercourse. Affecting both men and women, such pains are relatively common particularly in menopausal women.

Vaginoplasty
Vaginoplasty is a major surgical procedure used to create a functional (neo-)vagina where perhaps one did not exist before. It is needed usually either as a final adjunct to vaginal agenesis or vaginal stenosis therapy or, in appropriate cases, as an important part of gender reassignment therapy in which case it is usually called SRS or GRS.

Vaginal Agenesis
Vaginal agenesis is primarily a physical abnormality of the vagina which, for some reason, stops developing. It is a birth defect or congenital disorder which technically is called the Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome. Typically sufferers have a short vagina of maybe 3.5cm or 1.5” in length, but there might be no vagina at all.

Vaginal Stenosis
Vaginal stenosis is an unfortunate side effect of some genital surgery or pelvic radiotherapy (which had perhaps been used to kill cancerous cells). It is the narrowing and/or loss of flexibility of the vagina, often accompanied by other changes such as dryness and loss of resilience due to scar tissue.

Genital Geography
Many women (and a lot of men) do not know much about their own reproductive anatomy let alone that of their partner. Accordingly this section has been included as a basic introduction to help put other information into context.



Note:  For readers interested in alternative medicine approaches to women's problems, a wealth of information may be found at:  www.annieappleseedproject.org


Important notes: 

The following pages give generalised and of necessity brief introductions to all the above conditions. However, as everyone needs a treatment programme which is tailored to their specific requirements it is essential that you consult with an appropriate Qualified Medical Practitioner (QMP) who will be able to provide much more detailed and specific information. Nevertheless it is hoped that the information on this website will provide some additional background which you will find helpful, although it must be stressed that Femistent is not a medical organistaion.

Femistent is not a medical organisation so we cannot tell you how or whether you should be using vaginal dilators.  Indeed none of the information or advice provided by Femistent should ever be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified specialist or QMP. Women needing, or believing they need, vaginal dilation therapy should be under the close supervision of a QMP. Furthermore it is strongly recommended that you consult your QMP before making any purchases from this website, and although Femistent products are delivered with a copy of our Usage Advice Document you should always obtain detailed patient specific instructions from your QMP as to how to use vaginal dilation products. It is your QMP’s instructions which will always take priority.  Femistent makes no therapeutic or other claims concerning its products, their suitability for any particular purpose and /or their efficacy.

                                CE   
Femistent vaginal dilator products are registered with the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) as Class 1 medical devices.  In accordance with the requirements for such devices Femistent recommends that individual dilation sessions do not exceed one hour in duration.