Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi. I was wondering if anybody knowledgeable on this kind of thing could help me out.

I am a transsexual woman who had gender reassignment surgery over 9 months ago. I have a hypertonic pelvic floor so I find dilation quite difficult. I know I can reach a max depth of around 5.6 inches but this is not a guarantee. I often only reach around 5.5 inches as my hypertonic pelvic floor prevents me from reaching the end of my canal.

My question is, if I allow myself to lose that little bit of depth and just dilate to 5.5 inches, will my pelvic floor muscles just continue to close up even further along the canal? Will I be back to square 1 again but with even less depth to work with?

I am willing to lose a little bit of depth if it means I can dilate comfortably and consistently to 5.5 inches. But I am worried that the muscles will just keep tensing shut at the end of my canal and I will progressively lose depth. If this is the case, I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

Also, I have seen a pelvic floor therapist and everything she suggested (stretches, diaphragmatic breathing etc.) did absolutely nothing for me.

Hello Jamie,

I'm Lori Dee. Welcome to Susan's Place!

Thank you for the question. I think this is something you should be talking to your doctors and therapists about. Members here may have similar experiences, so I will let them chime in on that.

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~ Lori Dee
Forum Staff

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@Jamie Harleen
@Sarah B
@Northern Star Girl

  @Jamie Harleen
Dear Jamie:
We had met on the Welcome Channel on Discord yesterday and I am thanking you
for following my advice to come here to the Susan's Place Forum with your question.
    I am giving you a warm Welcome to Susan's Place and the Forum.

Here on the Forum we specifically have several sub-forums that may assist you as you read
about our other members experiences with Transitioning and Gender Correction Surgeries.

                Please check out the following informative Links:
                                Post operative life
                        https://www.susans.org/index.php?board=43.0

                                    Transitioning 
                        https://www.susans.org/index.php?board=339.0 

                                Gender Correction Surgery 
                        https://www.susans.org/index.php?board=50.0

      Post-Surgical Wound Care: A Comprehensive Guide for FFS, FMS, GCS, BA, and BR
                        https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=247125.0   

Be certain to read the prior posting to you on this thread authored by @Lori Dee ...
...it provides the important Rules and Information regarding the Forum that will help you
to navigate safely around the site.

Again, Jamie,  WELCOME

Warm Regards, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
    The Forum Administrator  Direct Email:  alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

      cc: @Susan @Devlyn @Lori Dee @Sarah B  @Jessica_Rose @Mariah

Hi, Jamie. Welcome to Susan's Place.

I can't help answer your question because I'm in my very early stages of transitioning, but I'd love to know more about you if you're willing to share in an introduction post.

Again, welcome. We're delighted that you're here.

Pema

Hi Jamie

My name is Sarah and I would also like to formally, Welcome you to Susan's Place!

I see that other members of Susan's have also welcomed you as well.

I just want to say first that I understand how stressful and discouraging you feel at the moment.  Pelvic floor issues can be incredibly frustrating especially when you are doing everything you can and still meeting resistance.  None of this is a failure on your part.  I have not had a hypertonic pelvic floor myself but I do respect how real and difficult this sounds and I hope what I share is still helpful.

Something else worth keeping in mind is how much weight we place on very small numbers.  We are talking about a difference of roughly 2 millimetres between 5.5 inches and 5.6 inches.  That is well within normal variation from angle pressure posture muscle tone or where the outside reference point happens to be on any given day.  It is not really a measurable difference in any practical sense.

I can even see variation myself depending on how I measure.  Yes, I like seeing the larger number too but when I dilate privately I stop when I clearly feel firm resistance rather than chasing a number.  That point feels consistent even if the measurement does not.

I also had surgery 35 years ago.  If I am honest I do not actually know how deep it is these days.  And how could I really know?  Bodies change tissue adapts and measurements were never that precise to begin with.  What matters far more is functional depth and comfort rather than a tenth of an inch on a ruler and as a measure of comfort my boyfriends never complained.

With a hypertonic pelvic floor the issue is muscle tension rather than the canal physically shortening.  Stopping at a comfortable point where resistance is felt does not train the muscles to close further along the canal.  In many cases pushing to force that last fraction of an inch can actually reinforce the pelvis tightening in response.

It may also be worth keeping the door open to help that focuses specifically on relaxing those muscles.  There are basic pelvic floor techniques and hands on approaches that some people find helpful even when general stretches and breathing have not made much difference.  A specialist who works regularly with pelvic floor tension may be able to tailor things more closely to what your body is doing.

As Lori says it is important "you should consult your doctors surgeons or therapists" in regard to this issue as they are more experienced in this area and can give you guidance that is specific to your own situation.

Choosing comfort and consistency is not giving up ground.  It is working with your body rather than against it.  Given how small these differences are it is reasonable to question how much meaning those exact numbers really carry in the first place.

Once you feel comfortable here, it would be appreciated if you add a little bit more about yourself in the other forums and threads.  I would appreciate it very much as, I'm always interested in learning something new about new members.

In addition members of Susan's will more than likely will discuss problems or issues that are similar to yours as most have experienced these issues as well.

Please keep in mind when posting that this is an ALL AGES PUBLIC Forum and the internet never forgets.  Do not post anything that you do not want to be made public.

Take care and all the best for the future.

Once again, Welcome to Susan's Place!

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Mariah  @Northern Star Girl  @Lori Dee
@Jamie Harleen