Testing vaginal size for correct product choice
Which vaginal weights or cones do I buy? Which electrode size is best for me?
Not all products created for insertion into the vagina are the same size, they vary in width which means some may be too small for you and some too wide.
Let's look at why vaginal widths differ and then how to check yours to work out the best size product for you.
The main measurement to use or think about is what we call the vaginal hiatus or width. This is the width or gap between the left and right sides of the deep pelvic floor muscle layer.
When you first start using them, you will probably feel the sides of your vaginal walls quite firm against your fingers when inserting a tampon or menstrual cup.
Many things can alter this over the years. The main one is pregnancy and vaginal birth. However you may have never given birth but still find that as you get older your hiatal width or vaginal size changes - it may enlarge or get smaller.
Straining on the toilet over many years of constipation can also cause changes and weakening of the tissues as can being overweight.
Larger hiatus: a greater distance between the left and right sides of the pelvic floor muscles.
This can be due to:
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Stretched or torn fascial or elastic tissue - there are sheets of this tissue between the vagina and the bladder at the front which support the anterior or front wall of the vagina, and between the vagina and rectum which supports the posterior or back wall. If this is the case then the pelvic organs ( bladder at the front , rectum at the back ) can slide into the vagina leaving you feel heavy or with a bulge in the vagina. This is called a prolapse.
- Avulsed deep pelvic floor muscle layer- these attach at the pubic bone at the front and sometimes one side may pull or tear away from the pubic bone. It can happen on one or both sides.
Any of these scenarios can leave you with a larger hiatus, or gap, between the two sides of the deep pelvic floor muscles and this is what gives you the perception of a loose or slack vagina.
It is the deep pelvic floor muscles which then provide support underneath the organs, closing the gap to squeeze and lift to support the organs especially under load.
Prolapse of any of your pelvic organs bladder, uterus or bowel can happen when pelvic floor tissues are weakened and is more common in those who have a wider hiatus or gap as there is less support for the organs. For more information see our page on pelvic organ prolapse
The diagram below is reproduced with kind permission of Lori Forner and helps to explain what we mean by hiatal width and avulsion:
It is possible to have:
- weak pelvic floor muscles, stretched or torn fascial/elastic tissue·
- weak pelvic floor muscles, intact fascial/elastic tissue
- strong pelvic floor muscles, stretched or torn fascial/elastic tissue
- strong pelvic floor muscles, strong intact fascial/elastic tissue
Whilst we cannot alter torn fascial tissue, we can improve the strength and bulk of the pelvic floor muscles providing better support and reducing the strain on the elastic tissue, and also help to reduce the gap .
Many women can reduce the degree of prolapse by doing this.
Vaginal Cones and balls
Some women may find that Aquaflex or Intimate Rose cones are too small to sit correctly within the vagina, especially after pregnancy. This may mean that you can't hold a cone in and it slides out which can be frustrating and of course won't do what it is supposed to and that is to help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Whilst this may initially be the case you should notice improvement in this over the coming months especially if you actively work on regaining your pelvic floor and core strength.
If so, try the wider vaginal balls first.
See how to test yourself below.
Which size vaginal electrode should I buy?
Just like working out which vaginal weights to buy, the size of your vaginal electrode is very important
- it needs to be wide enough to make comfortable contact with both sides of the pelvic floor otherwise it will not conduct the current and cause a muscle contraction
- the same principles apply as above : a smaller hiatus should allow you to use the narrower electrodes, a larger hiatus will best suit the Periform electrode
How to test your hiatal or vaginal size.
A quick test to see if you may be able to use vaginal cones or whether slightly larger vaginal balls may be the best product to start with, or which size electrode to use:
- Can you still use a tampon if you were previously? If you can't retain a large tampon then you may not be able to use cones/ smaller devices initially.
- Insert one or two clean, lubricated fingers into your vagina - as if putting a tampon or period cup in. If you can feel the walls of the vagina against your fingers as you contract your pelvic floor then you should be able to use the cones. If you can easily spread your fingers apart and do not feel much inward movement against your fingers when you contract your pelvic floor then you will find vaginal balls a better sized product to start with.
If this applies to you, products such as vaginal balls with a wider diameter than cones, may be a better choice and if using electrical stimulation a wider electrode will be best.
If pelvic floor muscle weakness or damage has been diagnosed then electrical stimulation may be the first choice for you.
Check with your doctor or physiotherapist if you are not sure.
The material presented here is intended as an information source only. The information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters presented herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of the advice of a health care provider. Pelvic Floor Exercise does not accept liability to any person for the information or advice provided , or for loss or damages incurred as a result of reliance upon the material contained herein.
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