Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Makenzie on October 23, 2014, 08:36:23 PM

Title: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Makenzie on October 23, 2014, 08:36:23 PM
Sorry if it's too inappropriate but I am researching my options for when I'm old enough for SRS.
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: mrs izzy on October 23, 2014, 08:38:21 PM
Short answer. Yes or after sometime can be substitution used (wink,wink).

Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Delsorou on October 23, 2014, 08:39:18 PM
In short, yes.  For the rest of their lives to some extent.  In the absence of the proper structures of extracellular matrix telling your body that this thing is supposed to exist, it treats it like a wound and tries its best to heal it.

Now there is a certain point at which the dilation schedule becomes much less intensive and more livable, but it's typically a lifelong thing.

Once tissue engineered vaginal implants become a thing for transwomen, this might change.  But with existing tech, that's the way it is.
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Jenna Marie on October 23, 2014, 08:50:13 PM
Yes, in theory. I've heard of women who find after enough years that they don't, but that's not a guarantee.

On the other hand, at 2+ years post-op it's 20 minutes once a week, which isn't bad. I spend more time cleaning up after our pets. :)
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Makenzie on October 23, 2014, 08:52:40 PM
Is it painful
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Jenna Marie on October 23, 2014, 08:56:03 PM
Nope. Not at all anymore. It hurt a bit in the beginning from time to time, but no worse than, say, poking a blister - when the flesh was still tender and sometimes chafed, it could get a bit sore like that. But that was in the first ~3 months, and since then it's at most a bit of passing discomfort at the muscle being stretched (which cis women sometimes experience too).
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: Jessica Merriman on October 23, 2014, 09:47:08 PM
Quote from: mrs izzy on October 23, 2014, 08:38:21 PM
Short answer. Yes or after sometime can be substitution used (wink,wink).
Looking forward to that one!  ;D
Title: Re: Do post op MTFs always have to dilate to prevent neo vagina closure
Post by: suzifrommd on October 24, 2014, 08:22:59 AM
Quote from: Makenzie on October 23, 2014, 08:36:23 PM
Sorry if it's too inappropriate but I am researching my options for when I'm old enough for SRS.

Not just to prevent closer. Dilation is vital to get the vaginal lining to adhere to the surrounding tissue and prevent prolapse (when the vagina "falls out").