“Should I still use my dilators when I’m having my period?”
I got this question from a client this morning — and I think it is a GREAT one, because doctors and dilator manufacturers never seem to give any guidance about this!
Short answer: YES, if you want to.
Long answer:
You can definitely keep using your dilators while you’re on your bleeding cycle, as long as you feel up for it. There’s no medical reason why you can’t or “shouldn’t” keep dilating.
However, if you’re in a cruddy emotional state, or if you’re really crampy, it’s OK (and even wise) to skip a day. Bust out the heating pad or hot water bottle, and curl up under a blanket. The best thing you can do for yourself in this case is stay warm!
Because there’s increased blood flow in the pelvis during your period, you may be feeling heightened sensation when using dilators. This is normal.
Also remember that your cervix — the entrance to your uterus, located at the “top” of the vaginal canal — may sit lower during your menstrual cycle. This means the cervix is closer to your entrance, so you may not be able to insert the dilator as far, compared to other weeks in your cycle. Again, this is normal!
Try not to aggressively bump the dilator into your cervix — this can be uncomfortable, can lead to cramping, or can make period cramps worse.
Just do the best you can, even if you can only insert the dilator a fraction of the way.
One last tip: Lay down a towel for easy cleanup. ?
So that’s it! Have you tried dilating while having your period? What are your best tips & tricks to get through it?
