Anal Dilator Guide

We always recommend working with a pelvic health PT or OT to provide advisory and one on one care to reach your individual goals.

Guides and Videos:

Anal tightness or stenosis
Constipation or Chronic Outlet Dysfunction
Introduction to Anal Dilators
Overview
Sizing Guide
Rectal Dilators for Men
Frequently Asked Questions

Anal dilator protocols vary by pelvic floor issue, and most protocols center around 15-20 minutes in duration, 3-4 times per week.

A gentle, conservative approach for anal tightness or stenosis is the following:

Prepare your space by laying down a towel and having a water based lubricant at hand. Wash the dilator with warm water and soap.
You can lay on your back or your side with 1-2 pillows under your head and pillows under your knees.
Cover the anal dilator in lubricant and place some around the anal sphincter as well. Gently bear down as you were passing gas and insert the first 1/2 to 1 full inch of the dilator- then PAUSE. Sometimes the anus and pelvic floor muscles will reflexively contract and guard upon entrance of the tool. Keep breathing, and wait until the contraction subsides. Then gently bear down and insert the dilator another 1inch or two. Continue this process until you reach the full diamter.
Once you reach the widest point of the dilator, pause at the widest point of the dilator, pause for 2 minutes, then slide it all the way in and allow the muscles to relax for 2-3 minutes, then repeat by sliding it to the widest point again for 2-3 minutes, repeat that cycle 3-4 times.
To remove the rectal dilator gently bear down as if you are passing gas or having a bowel movement.

For Constipation or Chronic Outlet Dysfunction: The goal is to practice the coordination of defecation for easier bowel movements:

Prepare your space by laying down a towel and having a water based lubricant at hand. Wash the dilator with warm water and soap.
You can lay on your back or your side with 1-2 pillows under your head and pillows under your knees.
Cover the anal dilator in lubricant and place some around the anal sphincter as well. Gently bear down as you were passing gas and insert the first 1/2 to 1 full inch of the dilator- then PAUSE. Sometimes the anus and pelvic floor muscles will reflexively contract and guard upon entrance of the tool. Keep breathing, and wait until the contraction subsides. Then gently bear down and insert the dilator another 1inch or two. Continue this process until you insert the dilator fully into the rectum.
Once the dilator is fully inserted, inhale and allow your abdomen to distend (make your belly big like a basketball). Then, exhale and keep the belly big and tighten it slighly (make the belly hard like a basketball), and feel the pelvic floor drop as you gently press the anal dilator out of the body. You can wipe the dilator with a baby wipe or toilet paper, and repeat the process 8-10 times.
To complete the session and remove the rectal dilator gently bear down as if you are passing gas or having a bowel movement.

Introduction to Anal Dialtors

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Are Anal Dilators for?

Anal or rectal dilators are for people who experience tightness around the anus. This includes people who experience muscle spasms with tightness and pain (proctalgia fugax), stenosis due to radiation, surgery, or hormone changes, and chronic constipation due to outlet dysfunction. They can also be used to train the muscles for penetration purposes

How do I know what size to use?

Those with severe forms of stenosis will generally benefit from starting with the small pack of 4 dilators to allow for gentle progression. Those who experience tightness but are able to have a bowel movement, but it is difficult, will generally benefit from the medium pack. Those wishing to train the muscles for pain-free penetration will benefit from the large pack.

How do I know when to size up?

When you can use your current size for multiple days without pain, you can attempt to move to the next dilator size.

How do these work for anal fissures?

The dilator work to gently mobilize the anal sphincter and surrounding fascia and pelvic floor muscles for smooth bowel movements and less straining to prevent fissures or to protect against worsening previous fissures.

How high should I go?

For fissures, outlet dysfunction, constipation, and other issues with bowelv movements, you only need to go up to number 4, 5, or 6, depending on how large your typical bowel movements are.
If your goal is pain-free anal penetration, your end goal of dilator size will be the size of your partner.

What should I do if I experience bleeding?

If symptoms, such as bleeding or severe itching occur, stop the use of the device and contact your healthcare provider.

What precautions are there?

Dilators are for single-patient use only. Do not share your device with others.
Use water-based lubricants only.
Do not use silicone-based lubricants.
Do not use if you have a sensitivity to silicone.
Before each use, check your device for signs of wear/damage (discoloration or splits/cracks/pitting). If signs of wear or damage are noted, discontinue use. Contact us for a replacement at support@IntimateRose.com
Do not wash dilators with products containing alcohol, acetone, or petroleum.
Do not place dilators in the microwave, dishwasher, or refrigerator.
Do not store near extreme heat or cold.
Do not use in body parts other than the vagina
Do not force dilators into your rectum.

Additional Resources

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Intimate Rose is a trusted source for sensitive health issues related to pelvic health, hormone balance, digestive health, and cancer recovery. Our products are designed and endorsed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Dr. Amanda Olson, and made with the highest quality material for your safety and comfort.

About Dr. Amanda Olson, DPT, PRPC

You now have a true advocate. Dr. Amanda Olson's commitment to pelvic health developed from her own emotional and challenging experience first as a patient. In 2008, while on a family campaign trip, Dr. Olson fell over 40 feet into a river. She sustained a dislocation to her coccyx and significant damage to the muscles, tendons, and pelvic floor ligaments. Fortunately, Amanda saw a pelvic physical therapist who used a comprehensive evaluation, manual techniques, and exercises that allowed her to heal. That next year, she shifted her focus from pediatrics to pelvic physical therapy which eventually led her to Intimate Rose!