Hi and thanks for posting

It sounds like you've had a tough time and I can understand your reluctance to restart using the dilator.

It's difficult for anyone to advise you here as we aren't involved with your care - however, it may be helpful to initially start using the dilator just once or twice weekly and increase it slowly.

Some people find different positions while inserting it can be less painful - like putting in a tampon for example or lying on your side. It may also be helpful taking some paracetamol an hour before if you're finding it painful. Using a smaller size may also be a good idea initially and progress to a larger one as it becomes easier.

Hopefully you're already using a water based lubricant with the dilator and the rest of the week using a vaginal moisturiser to keep things less dry and irritated. You may get a little bit of spotting as the scar stretches , but do get it checked out again with the nurse at your clinic. You can read some more about using the dilator here on our website   

I hope things start to settle down and things become easier for you

All the best

Wanda

Thank you for your reply. I will look at using a smaller dialator when I am fully healed and try a different position but must admit to being very worried as do not want to reopen the wound. 

Hi I had my hysterectomy in March but this week on using my dialator I’ve started to have spots of blood on it and I wipe away small amounts of blood after I’ve passed water after using. No one explains how far to push in, I have no pain using number 3, but have noticed a sore bit up on my left inside, is this how urs was please, and did u tell hospital

Hi Mario,

I could actually see the site on my vaginal wall using a mirror I then started to bleed. They told me that you can get spotting after using the diallator but I would certainly phone your cancer nurse at your hospital and explain it. I was told my site would heal eventually and to keep using the dialator. I have decided not to continue with it and am still healing 4 months on. The site looks a lot better and hopefully it will soon heal completely. No one gives you much information on this do they and I found the hospital were not at all concerned about it and I felt like I was making a mountain out of a molehill. However there is also no scientific evidence that using the dialator works. I would however advise getting in touch with the hospital to put your mind at rest. Hope this helps.

Hello and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about the treatment you have had and the need to use a dilator.

Some spotting after using one of these is quite normal as you can read here but if the bleeding is heavier or you have noticed a sore area then it is important to stop and let your specialist team know just so you don't make things worse.

Please get back if you need to.

All the best

Naomi