I tried dilating for the first time in about 6+ years today... Right after SRS a bit over 17 years ago, I had about 6.5" depth... I was not religious about dilation and that eventually went down to about 5.5"... that was all with a  1.625" diameter stent.

Then I tapered off and it became very occasional and I eventually stopped dilating completely.

Today I  dug up my old dilators and tried the smallest one (1.125"), which should give the max depth... It went in easily but at best even when applying some pressure,  I only had 4.5" depth (really 4.25").

I am not sure why it bothers me as intercourse is not part of my life, but it does...

I have been off hormones for several years as well, but have an endo appointment next month... maybe I'll see if I can get a prescription for Estrase vaginal creme, to help elasticity and see if I stench things a bit and regain some of the lost depth. 

I did the same thing but the depth may recoverable. I dilated twice a week (saturday and sunday) for several weeks and I am back to the 5.5 inches I was at before. I only have one dilator that's about 1.5 inches in diameter and I bought it at an adult book store as the doctor requested. If you can, three times a week would be better.

There are people who regained depth.

The neovagina reacts to estrogen like a vagina.
So if estrogen levels from hrt are low there might be some dryness or even some atrophy.
Libdo may also be low.

Transgender women are not menopausal women.
Many endos strive for levels of estro of 180-200 pg/ml and of testo below 60ng/dl.
First it might be tried to raise estrogen levels.
Possibilities could be sublingual bioidentical estrogen, gel, patches, implants or injections.
With sublingual intake there is less clotting. And it should be bioidentical imo, there are other forms which have grave side effects.
With sublingual intake levels rise fast and drop hours later. So spreading the dose throughout the day in a few small doses may help keep levels more steady, which might affect mood.
Patches make for more steady levels there is a difference in effectivity because skins are different.

If libido and activity level is still low with raised estrogen levels adding bioidentical progesterone might help.

After that a very low dose of testosterone might be tried. There are specifically low dose applications for menopausal people, to keep levels in the female range. Gels or patches could be a possibility.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,209090.msg1853451.html#msg1853451


Estrogen cream from time to time could help soften the tissue.
Organic Coconut oil has small molecules and might also help. Just watch if the dilator is oil resistant, and use non latex condoms in case.

Just talk it all through with your doc.


It may take a few weeks but people have regained depth.


hugs

Quote from: Dena on May 14, 2016, 04:30:50 PM
I did the same thing but the depth may recoverable. I dilated twice a week (saturday and sunday) for several weeks and I am back to the 5.5 inches I was at before. I only have one dilator that's about 1.5 inches in diameter and I bought it at an adult book store as the doctor requested. If you can, three times a week would be better.

Back when I had my SRS I think most of the surgeons provided dilators. I got a set of dilators from my surgeon (Meltzer- I had insurance), but the lye largest one was 1.5" so I bought some large ones from a small (mow defunct) company run by 2 post-ops (I met them many years ago at a Twenty Club meeting) called Intellegence Enginnering....

Anyway time will tell if I can get the depth back... It would be nice but it's not critical. I'm not even sure why I care.

Quote from: Karen_A on May 14, 2016, 08:40:44 PM
Back when I had my SRS I think most of the surgeons provided dilators. I got a set of dilators from my surgeon (Meltzer- I had insurance), but the lye largest one was 1.5" so I bought some large ones from a small (mow defunct) company run by 2 post-ops (I met them many years ago at a Twenty Club meeting) called Intellegence Enginnering....

Anyway time will tell if I can get the depth back... It would be nice but it's not critical. I'm not even sure why I care.

My surgery was 33 years ago and the doctor issued a soft temporary dilator that was to be used in the early state of healing. It was soft so I suspect it didn't do much to maintain depth. Medical dilators were very expensive in those days because for the most part CIS women where the only ones needing it. At best guess there were less than 30,000 of us and many pre surgical. The doctor said go to an adult book store and find something that's the same size you were before. They made them good in those days because mine is still usable.

Quote from: Laura_7 on May 14, 2016, 04:34:57 PM
There are people who regained depth.

I know... I also know it's variable

Quote
The neovagina reacts to estrogen like a vagina.

I know... That is why I used to use Estrace Cream

Quote
Transgender women are not menopausal women.

I know I'm old fashioned on this, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I really don't like being referred to as transgendered.

Quote
Many endos strive for levels of estro of 180-200 pg/ml and of testo below 60ng/dl.

For years I was on high dose IM EV (I gather it against the rules to mention even prescribed dosages) and my level were usually far above that, but I don't recall the numbers anymore. BTW I was also on prometrium.

In any case I don't know the philosophy of the endo I will be seeing in terms of dosage ro delivery route - particularly considering my age and that I am heavy...

I know I don't want orals as I did not absorb them well when I started HRT, never mind the first pass through the liver... but i am also concerned with price.

I used to be very knowledgeable about HRT ... but that was long ago and I have not thought about it for a good number of years. 

Quote
Organic Coconut oil has small molecules and might also help. Just watch if the dilator is oil resistant, and use non latex condoms in case.

Dilators are plastic... but small molecules covers a Lot of ground ... it would certainly have a lot of fatty acids... not sure why that would be of value.

Thanks,
- Karen

Okay, dumb question alert!!! Is it impossible to dialate while doing anything other than laying down? Could it be done sitting or standing or would it just fall out or hurt? I am at least a year away, but am curious about the mechanics of this.
Thanks!
Moni

Flat on the back is about the only comfortable way to do it because you don't want to move around. A sneeze or a giggle can push the dilator out so you need to control muscle usage. Now you can watch TV, listen to music, work with a laptop, read a book or my favorite is use an iPhone with your free hand. Your other hand needs to exert several pounds of pressure on the dilator to keep it in place and to maintain depth.

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 14, 2016, 11:13:53 PM
Okay, dumb question alert!!! Is it impossible to dialate while doing anything other than laying down? Could it be done sitting or standing or would it just fall out or hurt?

When i had my maximum depth, while I started lying own, I could keep he stent in while sitting.

- Karen

Quote from: HappyMoni on May 14, 2016, 11:13:53 PM
Okay, dumb question alert!!! Is it impossible to dialate while doing anything other than laying down? Could it be done sitting or standing or would it just fall out or hurt? I am at least a year away, but am curious about the mechanics of this.
Thanks!
Moni

Clients of Suporn are provided a blue belt which is worn around the waist and has a belt attached which goes down the back and can be hold with one hand to keep the dilator in . So its more comfortable. It should be possible to make one yourself or have someone make it. I'd look for safe materials and clean it thoroughly because its worn on the skin.

There are people who can walk around with a small dilator and panties.
All at your own risk 


hugs

Quote from: Karen_A on May 14, 2016, 09:20:44 PM

I know... That is why I used to use Estrace Cream

Estrace cream applied from time to time is good locally to soften the tissue.

But imo additionally estrogen from HRT is necessary or helpful. And there are also endos who say its necessary the levels are not in menopausal range but well higher so menopausal vaginal states are avoided.

Quote
I know I'm old fashioned on this, and I don't mean to offend anyone, but I really don't like being referred to as transgendered.

Transgendered implies something happened to people wich is not the case. They always were this way.
Some people use transgender. Its an umbrella term encompassing people showing gender variant behaviour , variant from their gender assigned at birth.
Of course its up to everyone to use it or not.

Quote
For years I was on high dose IM EV (I gather it against the rules to mention even prescribed dosages) and my level were usually far above that, but I don't recall the numbers anymore. BTW I was also on prometrium.

Many people are happy with injections and have good results. Many people additionally say adding bioidentical progesterone may help with more rounded breasts, and may help with mood.

Quote
In any case I don't know the philosophy of the endo I will be seeing in terms of dosage ro delivery route - particularly considering my age and that I am heavy...

I know I don't want orals as I did not absorb them well when I started HRT, never mind the first pass through the liver... but i am also concerned with price.

I used to be very knowledgeable about HRT ... but that was long ago and I have not thought about it for a good number of years. 

Imo having high enough levels post op is important. It may also help with libido and level of activity.

Basically possibilities are bioidentical estrogen pills sublingually, patches, gels, injections or implants.

They all have specific advantages and disadvantages.
Patches and gels are often considered for endos to be on the safe side but peoples skin are different.
Gels made by compounding pharmacies may be less pricey.

Quote
Dilators are plastic...

Just saying they should be oil resistent, or use a non latex condom.

There are dilators in other sizes available,

some even have dilators of 40mm and above:
www.rpdinc.com/rounded-nylon-dilator-4743.html
www.phoenixsurgical.co.uk/shop/4-0-charing-cross-dilators-40mm-dia-ph810086

and you might look for soulsource dilators.

Quote
but small molecules covers a Lot of ground ... it would certainly have a lot of fatty acids... not sure why that would be of value.

Coconut oil is from biological sources, its not mineral oil. It has as one of few oils small molecules which may help soften the tissue.
It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Quite a few people use it for dilation.


One more helpful thing could be probiotic pessaries like intrafresh or femina flora, and eating organic yoghurt from time to time.
They may help keep a healthy flora in the vagina.
If in doubt ask a doc.


hugs