Given the right tools, given the right education, given the right understanding of your body, and you can absolutely regain your life from this."

That's when I found Dr. Sonia Bahlani, a pelvic pain specialist in New York City. In our consultation I received my diagnoses, several prescriptions — including for pelvic floor physical therapy — and a recommendation for Intimate Rose products. Not only that, but Bahlani gave me the assurance that my pain was real, and the hope that it's manageable. Does something feel amiss? 'If you cannot feel any contraction at all I do advise seeing a physiotherapist to confirm whether this is down to pelvic floor tension or not,' advises Bourne. 'If it is not a tension problem then a stimulation device could be helpful. There are lots of different settings depending on what symptoms you need help with.' The best pelvic floor trainers to shop now Always consult with a qualified health pelvic health specialist before undertaking vaginal dilation therapy at home. Your healthcare provider will give you advice on the right dilator size for your body and how to safely use your dilator. The material makes a difference, according to Bahlani. When placing something into the vagina and pelvic floor, one has to be cognizant of what’s comfortable and what’s not going to alter the pH because either can cause other problems, like recurring bacterial vaginosis or yeast. My experience with Intimate RoseIt's not just those going through pelvic pain that can talk about it. Bahlani wants healthcare providers to have conversations about this, too. She's heard stories of patients in their 50s and 60s who've suffered all their life only to be told by doctors their pain can be managed with lube and a glass of wine. I left my OBGYN's office ambivalent: I was apparently normal, according to what a trained doctor told had me. But I didn't feel "normal." I worried it would get worse, to the point where I'd never enjoy sex again. I was afraid I was broken, that no one else had experienced this before, that it'd never be fixed. These silicone dilators were created by a pelvic physical therapist, and who better to design a product like this, right? Unlike other conditions, Bahlani said, pelvic pain is more difficult to treat because more often than not, there are different pain generators (causes of the pain). "It’s not just, 'Here’s a pill and I’ll see you in six months,'" she said. She gave an example of pain being a result of something going on in the nerves in the vagina and something else with the pelvic floor. They attach to the coccyx at the base of the spine and to the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis, and like other muscles in the body they are made up of fast- and slow-twitch fibres,' she adds. 'This allows the pelvic floor to respond to different demands, for example increased pressure when coughing, and holding in a wee when we are not near a bathroom.' Kegel exercises explained

What I noticed immediately is that the guide book uses gender neutral pronouns, which is a plus — not everyone with a vagina is a woman, thus not everyone who experiences pelvic pain is one, either. Not only that, but the products can be used for rectal pain as well. If you are confident that a pelvic floor trainer is the best route for you to take, try the following steps to get started: Choose the right pelvic floor trainer Bahlani wants those going through pelvic pain to know it's absolutely possible to manage. "Given the right tools, given the right education, given the right understanding of your body, and you can absolutely regain your life from this," she said.Full disclosure: Bahlani is still treating me, and I interviewed her for this review.) What is Intimate Rose, and what are their products? Never soak your dilators in alcohol or sterilising solutions containing alcohol. Intimate Rose dilators may be wiped with an alcohol-based solution but be sure to rinse off any residue before storing. Intimate Rose dilators will naturally retain your body temperature, or they can be chilled in the refrigerator or warmed by holding under running water - whatever is most comfortable for you. Progressive vaginal dilation therapy works to gently stretch the vaginal walls. It can help manage the pain and symptoms associated with:

The beginning step in managing your pelvic pain is the most important, said Olson. "There is great hope, and though the recovery is not instantaneous, daily practice and small changes become big accomplishments over time," she said. Each dilator comes with a complete guide to help you along the way, and www.IntimateRose.com features hundreds of helpful videos, blog articles, and guides to support you on your journey. Made from 100% medical grade silicone rubber these dilators are lovingly hand cast and have an ultra-comfortable, smooth texture for maximum comfort. Plus, they are long-lasting, easy-to-use, and easy-to-clean. And you can use them chilled, at room temperature or warmed for your comfort. Thing is, though, this reality is not widely known. Indeed, research from women’s wellness brand Elvie found that only 31% of women aged 18-34 recognise the importance of pelvic floor health – and only 40% of women would seek help if they experienced an issue in this department. Your pelvic floor is formed of muscles and ligaments that support your bladder, vagina and bowel. 'It is made up of a number of little muscles that work together,' explains Clare Bourne, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist and founder of All About Mum, a series of webinars, ebooks and education cards to support women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Pelvic Floor Wand & Massage Therapy Tool

It’s super easy, simply wash your dilator with warm water and mild soap. Pat dry and allow to fully air dry before storing. We recommend that you store your silicone dilator by wrapping it in a clean cotton cloth. As a clinician I saw a need for more comfortable tools to help empower women to manage these highly sensitive issues," Olson told Mashable on the creation of Intimate Rose. "I also wanted to create an environment where they felt supported and had access to educational services and resources to reach their goals." Olson also goes to great lengths to show that pelvic pain is manageable. She said, "There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we are with them every step of the way." Dr. Bahlani first became interested in Intimate Rose because Dr. Amanda Olson, DPT, PRPC, president and CCO of the company, suffered from pelvic pain herself. Olson developed Intimate Rose following an injury that led her to a pelvic physical therapist. With the help of her PT, manual techniques, and exercises, Olson was cured in six months. While Olson began her career as a pediatric neurology specialist, she shifted focus to pelvic physical therapy. While there are a number of products on the market designed with strength (and pleasure) in mind, there are typically four main types of pelvic floor trainer:

If you have a problem with yeast infections, you can try adding two tablespoons of vinegar to 2 cups of hot water. When Bahlani compared Intimate Rose’s medical-grade silicone to other companies’ products, she believed the soft material could help her patients. "When I felt that medical grade silicone, and compared it to other products, I [said], 'This is really good for my patients who have things like vulvodynia, or pain with initial penetration, because the texture is not so irritating as certain dilators can be,'" she said in an interview with Mashable. Unlike the wands that Bahlani had encountered before, Intimate Rose's doesn't look like an intimidating medical device. Not only that, but both sides are usable and it’s made of the same soft medical-grade silicone as the dilators. The wand can also empower a patient as they can reach trigger points themself, she noted.It’s almost like as clinicians, we’ve made it seem like it's okay to have pain as long as it's not cancer," Bahlani said. “And that’s not okay." Using gender neutral pronouns was intentional, according to Olson. "People of all genders have benefitted from our products," she said. "People can use the wand vaginally or rectally, including men to relieve pelvic pain, and the dilators can be used for people with vaginas and those who are going through gender affirming procedures." Most women will begin with the largest size silicone dilator that feels comfortable and gradually increase size over time. This allows you to gain confidence and helps to avoid painful intercourse.