The pessary is a medical device used to treat organ descents and / or urinary leaks. Removable object, it needs to be removed and cleaned regularly, here’s how to choose and use it.

Prolapse (downward descent of organs such as the uterus, vagina, bladder, rectum) is a pathology that affects nearly 50% of multiparous women. It can be treated with rehabilitation, surgery or the installation of a pessary. The latter offer a high satisfaction rate for a low complication rate. According to the Association Française d’Urologie, the pessary should be the first-line treatment.

The pessary is a ring, cube or disc shaped medical device that is inserted into the vagina to support organs that are prolapsing. The pessary is an old device. Its name of Greek origin “pessos” means oval stone. Note: In France, surgery is often preferred to the pessary. However, in countries, such as the United States, where it is offered as a first-line treatment, two-thirds of patients choose it.

The difference between ring pessary and pessary?

There are different models and sizes of pessaries. Some stay in place when others need to be taken out every night or before sex. Pessaries are divided into two categories: support pessaries and fillers. For the former, serving in particular to correct urinary incontinence linked to prolapse, the most used model is the ring. It is placed in the posterior vaginal cul-de-sac, above the pubic bone. Due to its ease of installation, the ring pessary is often the one prescribed as a first-line treatment. Filling pessaries are cube-shaped. They fill the space between the vaginal walls. The choice between the different models will be made after clinical examination of the patient, the type and degree of prolapse and the patient’s choice.

ការ​តែង​និពន្ធ

In Antiquity, the Egyptians already made it out of papyrus. Today, they are made of medical grade silicone for the sake of tolerance. These products are flexible, easy to insert and comfortable for the woman.

The pessary is used for:

• improve symptoms related to prolapse or urinary leakage;
• after childbirth;
• to unmask stress urinary incontinence;
• in women who cannot have surgery.

The pessary can replace an operation to treat organ descent and incontinence. In some cases, it is used temporarily while waiting for this surgery. It can also be prescribed for women with severe chronic coughs.

សាធារណៈព្រួយបារម្ភឬមានហានិភ័យ

Wearing the pessary is strongly discouraged for women suffering from pelvic infections, endometriosis or lacerations.

ដំណាក់កាលនៃប្រតិបត្តិការ

The first time, it is usually the gynecologist (or urologist) who installs the device. He shows the woman how to insert it so that she can do it on her own afterwards. Nurses are also trained in the pose. Moreover, they can intervene in the home of patients who would have difficulty in installing it on their own.

ពេលណាត្រូវប្រើវា?

The pessary can be worn continuously or occasionally during certain sports activities requiring the muscles of the perineum such as running or tennis. Once installed, the woman must be able to sit, stand up, walk, bend over, urinate without feeling the pessary and without it moving. If ever sensations of pelvic discomfort occur, this could be a sign that the pessary is not the right size or that it is incorrectly positioned. To improve comfort, especially in postmenopausal women, local estrogen treatment may be prescribed as well as the use of a lubricating gel. Wearing a pessary requires regular visits to your doctor to ensure the health of the vaginal walls. Its lifespan is quite long, around 5 years or even more. It must be changed in case of cracks.

Precautions to take: clean your pessary well

Once a week, or once a month (if it does not cause redness or irritation), the pessary should be cleaned. Simply remove it at night before bed, wash it with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap, dry it with a clean, dry cloth, and let it dry overnight in a ventilated container. It only remains to put it back in the morning. The frequency of cleaning is usually suggested by the healthcare professional.

Wearing a pessary is compatible with sexual relations, without danger for the partners. However, in some cases, the pessary leaves no room in the vagina, so it must be removed before intercourse. Note, the pessary is not a contraceptive method and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.