Pessary Fittings with
Pelvic Connections
A pessary is a flexible, silicone device that is inserted into the vaginal canal to support the pelvic organs. Pessaries offer a non-surgical solution to prolapse by minimizing the feeling of pressure, heaviness, or falling out of prolapse. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can often be removed and reinserted by the person wearing it.
The what & why
of a pessary
A pessary is a flexible, silicone device that is inserted into the vaginal canal to support the pelvic organs.
Pessaries offer a non-surgical solution to prolapse by minimizing the feeling of pressure, heaviness, or falling out of prolapse. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be removed and reinserted by the person wearing it.
-
You can feel the relief as soon as the pessary is in place. We book a “pessary fitting” session to ensure the proper fit is chosen. We ask you to move around and relieve your bladder in our clean single stall bathroom to make sure it is not impeding your bladder function, while supporting you!
-
Pessaries can be worn with physical activities like running, working out at the gym, or chasing after little ones. The device works like a sports bra, by providing support to a structure to avoid it hanging down and further stretching ligaments and fascia.
-
Although it is a blessing to have surgical options for many individuals, a pessary can help you even avoid surgery. We work with your urogynecologist many times to coordinate decision making for the best support possible.
-
You can wear a pessary for multiple days, just be sure to remove it for cleaning as directed, which we will teach you!
-
since pessaries come in different shapes and sizes, we will pick the right one for you and your body. Again, think of it like a sports bra. We may need a few tries to find the right one, unless you are lucky on the first try! We will guide you.
what to expect at your pessary fitting
EVALUATION
Begin with an evaluation to discuss your medical history including prolapse symptoms as well as your goals for therapy & a pessary. We will perform a comprehensive assessment of your pelvic floor tissues to determine the next steps.
FITTING
Next, your provider will recommend the best shape and size of pessary based on your evaluation. Once the right fit is made, they will show you how to insert and remove the pessary to ensure confidence and independence at home.
MOVEMENT ASSESSMENT
Before you leave with your pessary, you will perform some functional movements to ensure everything feels just right and your pelvic floor feels supported.
FOLLOWING UP
Our goal is that you feel supported as you begin the use of your pessary. Patients typically return at 1-week post-fitting to ask any questions and make sure the fit is right - if it’s not this is the time to replace it! Regular follow-ups are vital to check for proper fit and monitor your vaginal wall health.
Incorporating Pelvic Floor Therapy
While a pessary is a useful tool, it is also important to treat any underlying muscle weakness, tension, and pressure management issues as these can all negatively impact your prolapse symptoms. In pelvic floor therapy we will work to address these complicating factors and ensure you can return to the activities you love.
Want to learn more?
Pessary
-
Pessaries can be a great tool for anyone who is experiencing pelvic pressure, heaviness, or the feeling that something is falling out as well as those who have been formally diagnosed with a prolapse.
-
Pessaries can be helpful for people at any age or degree of prolapse.
Even if you feel too young or not 'bad enough', a pessary can be a great tool to offer support so you can to return to the activities you love.
-
Pessaries do not have to be worn at all times or even long term. They can be used intermittently or for short stints (such as going for a run or exercising), and most pessaries can be removed independently at home depending on individual comfort and ability.
-
While inserting your pessary takes some getting used to, it should not hurt to insert or wear your pessary.
If the pessary is correctly fitted, you shouldn’t know it is there!
We will work together to make sure the fit is just right! This is also why follow up appointments are important so that we can monitor your independence and fit as you get accustomed to your pessary.
-
Yes, you can use the bathroom (both urination and bowel movements) and depending on the type, have sex with your pessary in.
While toileting should not be a concern, navigating intimacy may be more or less comfortable depending on the shape of your pessary. We can discuss this more in depth during your appointment.
-
We recommend follow up with us in one week to ensure the fit is right and you feel confident with insertion and removal. After that we will check in at 4-weeks and then 6-months, unless you have questions or concerns that require an appointment prior to that.
Although, we highly recommend starting a pelvic floor therapy program in conjunction with a pessary fitting!
-
We have structured our pessary fitting appointments in two ways - just in case you aren't sure if a pessary is truly the best fit for you.
Option 1: We will start with a virtual visit to discuss your symptoms, your goals, and go over insertion, removal, and daily life with a pessary. Next we will have an in-person visit to actually measure and fit the pessary as well as perform the movement assessment to ensure everything is set!
Option 2: If you are ready to go & know you want a pessary then we can do it all in one in person appointment which will include everything outlined above.
What our patients are saying:
“From the very beginning, I was treated with so much care, compassion, & respect while helping me through my symptoms”
- Sara“I felt listened to and educated wholly for maybe the first time ever from a clinician and the results speak for themselves. Having been to others, Pelvic Connections’ model is so much more patient centered and functional.”
- Emily“What makes Pelvic Connections special is that they don’t just treat symptoms; they genuinely want to help you heal as a whole person and find the driver of your condition.”
-S.S