Pessaries
What is a pessary?
A pessary is a soft removeable medical device that acts like a scaffold within your vagina – it helps hold up your pelvic organs within your vagina. Most pessaries are made of silicone.
When is a pessary used?
A pessary can be an effective option for management of a bladder, bowel or uterine prolapse when surgery is not an option.
A pessary can reduce and, in some cases, eliminate the symptoms of prolapse which can include:
- Dragging and heaviness
- Sensation of a vaginal lump or bulge
- Sensation of everything falling out
- Trouble fully emptying the bladder or bowel
- Pain with intercourse
What happens at a pessary appointment?
- A thorough assessment of the condition, medical history and current health, including diet and fluid intake, exercise levels and mobility, all the medicines you are currently taking, and any other factors that could affect the prolapse
- Physical assessment of the pelvic floor function, strength and endurance
- Measurements are taken for the pessary
- When the pessary is inserted, you will be asked to do a variety of activity such as bending over and coughing
- You will practice taking the pessary in and out
- Thorough instructions will be given on how to manage the pessary
- Regular follow up appointments are required to review the pessary fitting, review your symptoms and assess your vaginal tissue
- Some women may need to have vaginal estrogen prescribed and used prior to having a pessary fitted
The staff at Complete Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy have advanced training in pessary fitting and management.
