Weight Loss Awareness Month | 20% Reward$ | Use Code: WLAM20
A vaginal pessary is a removable device, made of rubber or silicone. It is worn inside the vagina to support the uterus, vagina, bladder and rectum. It is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment option. Its primary use lies in managing conditions related to pelvic-floor prolapse, such as, uterus prolapse, cystocele, rectocele, and stress urinary incontinence. Different types of pessaries are available such as ring, doughnut, and Gellhorn. A doctor can best decide one that will suit your need and condition.
When the muscles and ligaments supporting a woman’s pelvic region weaken, the pelvic organs can drop lower in the pelvis, creating a bulge in the vagina. This is termed as prolapse. There are different types of prolapse, depending on which organ is affected. If it’s the uterus bulging down, it is called uterine prolapse. Prolapse of bladder into the front wall of the vagina is called cystocele. Prolapse of rectum into the back wall is termed as rectocele. The common causes of prolapse are vaginal deliveries, loss of hormones during menopause, obesity and chronic diseases which create considerable abdominal pressure.
Prolapse of uterus
The uterus is held in place by the pelvic muscles and ligaments. Uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus sags or slips from its normal position and into the vagina or birth canal. This is a result of weakened pelvic muscles. Pregnancy, childbirth and a pelvic surgery can weaken the muscles and ligaments. The estrogen hormone, which keeps the pelvic muscles strong, drops with age, weakening the muscles. Obesity, chronic cough, and constipation are the other risk factors.
Wearing a pessary helps push up and stabilize the uterus and cervix.
Cystocele and Rectocele
Cystocele or bladder prolapse occurs when the bladder sags into the vagina. This is a result of the weakening of the muscles between the bladder and vagina.
Likewise, when the rectum bulges into the vagina, it is termed as rectal prolapse or rectocele.
Stress urinary incontinence
Involuntary urine leakage during a physical movement or activity such as, running, coughing, sneezing, refers to stress incontinence. When inserted into the vagina, a pessary rests against the back of the pubic bone and supports the bladder. This helps control any accidental urine leakage.
Women using a pessary may witness an increased vaginal discharge which may also develop an odor. Using a vaginal gel and cleaning the pessary often will help in avoiding the odor.
Vaginal irritation may develop. Women who are post-menopausal may need to use an estrogen cream to keep a check on the vaginal irritation.
The pessary may fall out of the vagina. So, ensuring a correct fit is important. There may be times when the pessary may not be successful in correcting the symptoms of pelvic-floor prolapse.
Pessaries are available in different shapes and sizes. The most commonly used pessaries are – ring, cube, donut, dish, shaatz, gellhorn, and ring with a knob.
Selection of a pessary depends on the condition for which a woman is being treated. For instance, in case of a mild uterine prolapse, a ring pessary is inserted. However, if the uterine prolapse is a second or third degree, a cube-shaped pessary will be required.
EvaCare Cube Flexible Pessary takes of third-degree uterine prolapse. It is versatile enough to be used in women with very small or large introitus.
EvaCare Donut Flexible Pessary is again used in case of women with a severe prolapse.
Likewise, a mild cystocele can be taken care of using a donut pessary. For women suffering from stress urinary incontinence, the dish-shaped pessary will be required. The Medline Dish Pessary without Support is soft and pliable and can be easily inserted and removed.
If the situation indicates a mild uterine prolapse along with a mild cystocele, a shaatz pessary is inserted. The Medline Shaatz Pessary with Drain has a convex shape and can be of a great help in vaginal prolapse.
The Bioteque America Ring Flexible Pessary with Support can be used for all conditions connected to pelvic-floor prolapse. It is suitable for long-term use.
Bioteque America Gellhorn Pessary can treat cystocele, rectocele as well as second or third-degree uterine prolapse. Since it can be folded, it is can be inserted and removed with ease.
Proper fitting of the pessary often requires the patient to try different sizes and/or styles. The doctor will begin with conducting a complete pelvic examination. After the pessary has been put in place, the fit and effectiveness should be checked. Generally, the largest size pessary a woman can wear is considered to be the most effective.
The follow-up visit is essential wherein the pessary is removed and the vagina is checked for any irritation, pressure sores or allergic reaction. Regular follow-up visits are required. Each time the vagina should be examined and the pessary should be cleaned with soap and water.
Thus, a pessary is a very safe and non-surgical treatment option for conditions connected to pelvic-floor prolapse. It is specifically relevant to those who have limited therapeutic choices, owing to their specific health conditions.
Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.
