Yes, vaginal dilators will help gently and gradually to assure that your vaginal tissues are stretched. I recommend using them one or two times a day for 20- or 30-minute sessions. The more you use them, the more quickly you’ll get the results you’re looking for.
Dilators come in graduated sizes, starting as small as a half-inch diameter and stepping up to 1 3/8-inch diameter. Take your time, and I’m sure your first experience will be a comfortable one! Congratulations.
Yes, vaginal estrogen, or localized estrogen can be great at restoring vaginal comfort again. It is a low dose option that does not deliver estrogen throughout your body, only to the place that needs it most, your vagina!
I started up having sex again in my early 60′s (after at least 2 years of undesired celibacy). The first time I had sex again, it hurt a lot and I bled (only a small amount, but it lasted for 4 days).
What I found helped me was an estrogen ring (need a prescription) which is inserted every 3 months and stays in until the next one is inserted.
I am now happily sexual frequently and don’t have any pain, but do have lots of pleasure!