Patent ID: 8097014

Claim:
A method for treating dyspareunia in a patient suffering from dyspareunia comprising: a) providing a variable rigidity vaginal dilator comprising: i) a catheter having a first end and a second end, the catheter having a plurality of ports adjacent the first end; ii) an inflatable balloon open at one end but being otherwise closed, the balloon being made of a material that is impermeable to air and water; iii) a syringe or pump; b) inserting into the vaginal canal of said patient said inflatable balloon of said variable rigidity vaginal dilator; c) initially introducing air into the balloon and then deflating the balloon to remove the air, this process is performed at least once; d) introducing water into the balloon to expand it so that it contacts the vaginal canal and exerts a pressure thereon of about 8 atmospheres and maintaining such contact for a period of about 15 minutes; e) stepwise sequentially increasing pressure up to about 12 atmospheres and/or stepwise sequentially increasing contact time up to about 45 minutes, the pressure and duration of contact adjusted as to secure, in a relatively pain-free manner, vaginal dilation sufficient to ameliorate the dyspareunia.