What is a vaginal dilator and who needs one?
A vaginal dilator is a smooth, gently shaped instrument used to gradually stretch the vaginal canal when it has become narrowed, tight, or uncomfortable. Dilator therapy is recommended for a wide range of conditions — from vaginismus and vaginal stenosis to recovery after pelvic surgery or cancer treatment. If your GP, gynaecologist, oncologist or pelvic floor physiotherapist has suggested dilator therapy, choosing the right dilator will make a significant difference to how comfortable and effective your treatment is.
What makes the Kegel8 Silicone Vaginal Dilators different from other dilators?
There are three things that set the Kegel8 dilators apart from anything else on the market:
• Soft, body-friendly silicone. Platinum-cured medical-grade silicone that is soft and malleable rather than hard and rigid — yielding gently to the body rather than resisting it. This makes a real difference when tissue is sensitive, healing or in discomfort.
• A unique built-in lubricant channel. No other vaginal dilator has this. The channel allows you to apply lubricant, prescription creams, or topical oestrogen directly and evenly during every session — making the Kegel8 dilator a dual-purpose therapeutic tool.
• Sit comfortably during therapy. The soft silicone means you can sit in a chair or on the sofa during your session — no need to lie on a bed. A more relaxed body responds better to dilator therapy.
What is the lubricant channel and how do I use it?
The lubricant channel is a built-in groove running along the dilator that allows you to load it with gel, cream or topical treatment before insertion. This distributes the lubricant evenly along the vaginal canal as the dilator is inserted, rather than relying on surface application alone.
You can use the channel with:
• Kegel8 Dilator Gel — a water-based, body-friendly gel developed specifically for comfortable dilator therapy
• Topical oestrogen cream prescribed for GSM or vaginal atrophy
• Any other prescription cream or gel recommended by your healthcare professional
Always use a water-based product — silicone-based lubricants can degrade silicone over time. The Kegel8 Dilator Gel is the ideal choice: water-based, hormone-free, and specifically formulated to be gentle on sensitive tissue. It is body-friendly, safe to use with silicone, and loved by healthcare professionals for its comfort and compatibility with dilator therapy.
Can the dilators help with GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause)?
Yes — and the Kegel8 lubricant channel makes them particularly well suited to managing GSM. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause is caused by declining oestrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause, leading to thinning, drying and inflammation of vaginal tissue. Symptoms include vaginal dryness and burning, pain during sex, and urinary urgency or frequency.
Regular dilator therapy helps maintain vaginal flexibility and tissue health. When combined with topical oestrogen or hormone gel — delivered directly via the lubricant channel — the Kegel8 dilators become a dual-purpose tool for managing both the physical narrowing and the hormonal changes that drive GSM. You do not have to simply accept these symptoms as an inevitable part of menopause.
Which conditions can the Kegel8 Vaginal Dilators help with?
The Kegel8 dilators are suitable for a wide range of conditions, including:
• Vaginal stenosis — narrowing of the vaginal canal caused by radiotherapy, surgery or hormonal changes
• Vaginismus and pelvic pain — involuntary muscle tightening that makes penetration painful or impossible
• GSM and menopause — vaginal dryness, thinning and discomfort caused by declining oestrogen
• Cancer treatment — maintaining vaginal health during and after pelvic radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• Dyspareunia (painful sex) — building comfort and confidence gradually through progressive therapy
• Post-surgical recovery — following hysterectomy, prolapse repair or reconstructive surgery
• Vulvar pain conditions — including vulvodynia and vestibulodynia
• MRKH Syndrome — first-line treatment for creating and maintaining vaginal depth
If you have been recommended dilator therapy for a condition not listed above, please speak to your healthcare professional — the Kegel8 dilators are suitable for most dilator therapy programmes.
Do I have to lie down to use them?
No — and this is one of the things that makes the Kegel8 dilators genuinely different. Because the silicone is so soft and body-friendly, you can sit comfortably in a chair or on the sofa during your therapy session rather than lying still on a bed. This makes it much easier to fit therapy into your daily routine and — crucially — a more relaxed body responds better to dilator therapy. Tension works against treatment.
How do I use the Kegel8 Vaginal Dilators?
For full guidance please refer to the Instructions for Use leaflet included with your dilators. In brief:
• Find a comfortable position — reclining with knees slightly apart, or sitting upright
• Start with the smallest size and fill the lubricant channel with Kegel8 Dilator Gel — water-based, hormone-free and gentle on sensitive tissue, loved by healthcare professionals — or your prescribed topical cream
• Gently insert the dilator, breathing slowly and allowing the muscles to relax — never force
• Hold in place and gently move side to side for 5–10 minutes
• When you can insert a dilator with the base flush to the vaginal opening without discomfort, progress to the next size
• Use for 5–20 minutes, 5–6 days per week — consistency is key
• Clean after every session with warm water and mild soap or Kegel8 Antibacterial Cleaning Spray
Always follow the guidance of your healthcare professional or pelvic floor physiotherapist.
Are the dilators safe for sensitive or post-operative tissue?
Yes — this is precisely what the soft platinum-cured silicone is designed for. Unlike hard plastic dilators, which can feel rigid and uncomfortable against sensitive or healing tissue, the Kegel8 silicone is malleable and yields to the body. It reduces irritation on contact, makes insertion gentler, and is far less likely to cause discomfort for women managing post-radiotherapy tissue changes, post-surgical recovery, or conditions like vaginismus where psychological as well as physical comfort matters.
How do I clean and care for the dilators?
Wash with warm water and mild antibacterial soap after every use, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before storing. The non-porous silicone surface means bacteria cannot penetrate the material, making hygiene straightforward. Always use Kegel8 Dilator Gel or another water-based lubricant — silicone-based lubricants can degrade silicone over time. Store in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight. The Kegel8 Dilator Gel — water-based, hormone-free and body-friendly — is the recommended choice for use with these dilators and is safe for sensitive tissue.
Can I buy the Kegel8 Vaginal Dilators VAT-free?
You may be entitled to purchase VAT-free if you are a UK resident buying this product for your own personal use to manage a qualifying chronic condition or disability — including neurological conditions, chronic pain, arthritis, mobility impairments, diabetes or incontinence.
Simply select ‘Buy VAT Free’ at checkout and state the reason for your claim in the box provided. You self-certify that you meet the qualifying criteria — no medical proof is required. For full details visit HMRC VAT Notice 701/7.
Kegel8 — Pelvic Health Experts. Trusted for over 20 years.
