General information about anal fissures can be found in our guide on anal fissures.

The exceptional effectiveness of FMS Dilators is based on their unique properties. You can learn more about this under Special features of FMS Dilators.

Using dilators – often referred to as “stretching rods” or “anal spreaders” – may at first seem counterintuitive when dealing with a fissure: “Stretching when there’s a tear?”

No – we’re not talking about stretching here. FMS Dilators are completely different from conventional conical silicone dilators. Thanks to their special shape and friction-free material, their effect – even in the case of fissures – is not based on stretching but on gentle mobilisation and reactivation of frozen, tense areas.

To treat a fissure, you’ll need a suitable dilator set – ideally one with fine size gradations in 1–2 mm steps, allowing you to proceed very gently. Choosing the right starting size is crucial: dilators that are too small have little effect, while those that are too large cannot be used. You can find guidance under the right starting size.

Application for anal fissures is based on three functions:

• Relaxing and releasing (for spasms)
• Stimulating and massaging (to support healing)
• Flexibilising and strengthening (for prevention)

Releasing anal spasms

Anal fissures are often caused by chronic tension of the anal sphincter, sometimes leading to anal spasms.

Treatment should not begin immediately after the fissure occurs, while the injury is still fresh, as the acute phase can make the application more difficult. In cases of particularly severe spasms, however, an earlier start may be considered.

At the beginning, choose a dilator that can be inserted with little or no discomfort. FMS Dilators are available from 14 mm in size and are made of glass – extremely smooth and easy to insert. For even smaller sizes, we offer our innovative Bougie Dilators. Like our Viball® Kegel balls, they are made of implant-grade stainless steel and combine the benefits of both product lines.

1) First, cover the anal tear with a protective ointment of a slightly firmer consistency – such as Vaseline or a nappy rash cream for babies.

2) Warm up the FMS Dilator in a water bath to body temperature. Heat greatly supports muscle relaxation. The lubricant can also be gently warmed. We recommend pjur med hypoallergenic lubricant. For a fresh fissure, it’s best to wait one or two days before starting, to allow the healing process to begin naturally.

3) Dry the dilator thoroughly so the lubricant isn’t diluted. Apply a small amount of lubricant around the sphincter, directly over the fissure, and – if possible – gently into the anal canal to avoid unnecessary irritation.

4) Insert the dilator using alternating gentle pressure and release. If the sphincter does not open without pain, switch to a smaller size.

5) After insertion, take a few minutes to relax.

6) Then begin to move the dilator slowly back and forth, gradually increasing the motion for a few minutes.

7) Next, remove the dilator completely – and immediately reinsert it. Repeat this in-and-out motion, opening and closing the sphincter, slowly at first, then gradually a little faster – always gently and attentively. Listen to your body and stop when it feels enough. This gentle pulsating action helps release the tension. It’s sufficient to move only the head of the dilator.

8) For longer-lasting results, you may later repeat the application with the next larger size – but only if it’s pain-free. In this phase, the focus is on stimulation, not stretching. Increasing the size too quickly could reopen the fissure and delay healing.

Stimulating through massage

Regular, gentle use improves blood circulation and cellular metabolism, supporting wound healing. At this stage, consistency and gentle stimulation are more important than size progression or stretching.

Flexibilisation

As healing progresses and after longer periods of regular massage, you can gradually increase the sizes to improve sphincter flexibility. This helps to secure lasting treatment results.

When removing the dilator, try to gently “grip” the head of the dilator with your sphincter muscle. Alternating between relaxation (insertion) and contraction (withdrawal) strengthens the muscle while also increasing its flexibility.

The muscle’s “memory” also re-learns the different levels of tension: relaxation – basic tone – contraction.

This exercise with active contractions is only possible thanks to the special shape of FMS Dilators. More information can be found in the Instructions for use.

Prevention

After complete healing of the anal fissure, you can massage more intensively and increase the size more quickly within a single session. The technique remains the same: insert while relaxed and hold during contraction. Use your breathing consciously – following the rule I-R-I / E-C-E: inhale-relax-insert, exhale-contract-extract.

Beneficial “side effects”

These exercises have a positive side effect of strengthening and improving the flexibility of the entire pelvic floor muscles, helping especially against incontinence.

For men, depending on the intensity, the application can also stimulate or massage the prostate. You can of course also use FMS Dilators independently for prostate massage – to prevent or treat prostatitis or erectile dysfunction and to maintain or enhance potency.

For women, trans people and couples

FMS Dilators are equally suitable for treating various vaginal conditions, such as:

• Birth injuries (vaginal or perineal tears), vaginismus, incontinence
• After-effects of radiation therapy
• Pain during penetration or intercourse during menopause
• Preparation for penetration or intercourse after long abstinence

FMS Dilators are globally unique for post-surgical aftercare and continued vaginal treatment in trans women following gender-affirming surgery. As an additional aid, we recommend our Theros® Vagina Stents.

In addition to all therapeutic uses, the phallic shape of the FMS Dilators also allows erotic use as glass dildos – see “Applications for couples”.

You can find all application options under “Special features of FMS Dilators”.

Free therapeutic advice

Under “Frequently asked questions about FMS Dilators” you’ll find more information. Our guides cover many other specific topics. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me personally – I’ll be happy to help.

Contact: hsw@theros.de

Hera Schulte Westenberg