Pessary Patient Brochure
6Pages

How Pessaries Can Help You Resume Your Normal Activities

Pessaries and how they work • A Pessary is a device inserted in the vagina that offers a low risk option to help treat pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.4 • Pessaries help support pelvic organs in your body that fall out of their normal position.1 Pessaries should feel comfortable in place • With the pessary in the correct position, you should not feel it.4 • Your doctor may try several different sizes or shapes to find the best fit that also helps relieve your symptoms.5 • Sometimes a pessary needs to be refitted to find the correct fit for you.4 Sex and wearing a...

Pessary follow-up appointments and taking care of your health • You may need to visit your doctor 2-3 weeks after initial pessary placement.10 • At these office visits, the pessary is removed and cleaned and you will be examined to make sure it’s safe to continue using a pessary.6 • After the pessary fitting, you will need to visit your doctor every 3-6 months depending on your health needs.6 • If you feel pain during urination or a bowel movement, cannot go to the bathroom, or have vaginal discharge or odor, please contact your d

Pessary Information Pessaries provide many benefits • A pessary may be used prior to or as an alternative to surgery.4 • A pessary can provide immediate relief of pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence and defecatory problems.1 • You may be able to return to normal activities with a pessary.7 Speak with your doctor if you need an X-ray or MRI • Check with your doctor before having these tests.8 • Some pessaries contain metal and must be removed before you have an MRI or X-ray.8 Deciding if a pessary is right for you • Consider your doctor’s advice about how a pessary can help. •...

Pessaries support pelvic organs that move out of their normal position1 • When pelvic organs like your bladder or vagina move from their normal position, it’s called pelvic organ prolapse.4 This may be related to age, pregnancy, childbirth, or other reasons.1 • If you have this condition, you may feel pressure, you may feel uncomfortable during sex and you may leak urine when you cough, laugh or exercise.2 • Pessaries can help move organs that drop down and put them back into position.1 • Some pessaries can be removed and cleaned regularly by you at home while others are inserted and...

FAQs How do I remove, reinsert and clean my pessary? Please refer to the Patient Instructions for Use given to you by your healthcare provider.9 Should I or will I feel my pessary? A properly fitted pessary should not be felt once in position. If you do feel your pessary and/or are uncomfortable, please contact your healthcare provider.4 1. Pessaries for POP and SUI: Your options and guidance on use OBG Management | December 2020 | Vol. 32 No. 12 Henry M. Lerner, MD 2. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, What to do about Pelvic Organ Prolapse, July 7, 2020 3. Vaginal...