Learn what can cause vaginal pain, as well as other symptoms that may also occur…. A rectocele is a type of pelvic organ prolapse. It results from a tear in the normally tough, fibrous, sheet-like wall between the rectum and vagina…. What to know about a pessary Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Types How to use Fitting Seeing a doctor Summary A pessary is a device that can help support the pelvic organs and hold them in place.
Types of pessary. Share on Pinterest A person can work with their doctor to find the best pessary option. Image credit: Huckfinne, Share on Pinterest. How to use a pessary. Pessary fitting. When to see a doctor.
Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What you need to know about uterine prolapse Uterine prolapse is when the pelvic floor muscles are no longer strong enough to support the uterus correctly.
Vaginal pain: Causes and how to treat it. The most commonly used space-filling pessary is the Gellhorn pessary. This has a broad base with a stem that comes in different lengths so that it will also be able to fit most women.
A pessary will be inserted by a medical professional, usually a gynecologist, in an initial fitting. Once you both feel the fitting is correct, they will give you training as to how to insert and clean the pessary by yourself. The gynaecologist will remove the pessary so that they can examine the vagina for signs of irritation. They will then clean and replace it so long as all is well. Most women find they are able to successfully use a pessary for two years or more without requiring surgery for their condition.
There are sometimes mild side effects from pessary use, such as vaginal irritation, foul-smelling discharge , and urinary tract infections. However, because the pessary is removable, any side effects experienced can usually be corrected quickly.
If you are comfortable removing and reinserting your own pessary, you may remove the pessary once or twice a week. Once removed, clean it with mild soap and warm water and then rinse before replacing it.
You doctor may prescribe a vaginal estrogen cream to apply inside your vagina while the pessary is out to prevent irritation. Pessaries can fall out if you strain. If you can, try not to bear down during bowel movements. If the pessary does fall out, you can reinsert it after you clean it. Complications can be minimized by having a pessary that fits correctly and that does not put too much pressure on the wall of the vagina.
Your pessary should be checked frequently by your doctor until both of you are satisfied with the fit. In post-menopausal women, estrogen cream, ring, or tablets is sometimes used with a pessary to help with irritation caused by the pessary.
Follow your doctor's instructions for cleaning your pessary. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of complications. The cleaning schedule is determined by the type of pelvic organ prolapse and the specific brand of pessary. Pessaries often are an effective tool for managing pelvic organ prolapse without surgery. They may be the best choice if you are a young woman who has not finished having children, if you have been told that surgery would be risky for you, or if you do not wish to have surgery for other reasons.
Pessaries can be used after a hysterectomy. Women with severe prolapse following a hysterectomy may have difficulty keeping the pessary in place. This is because the walls of the vagina are no longer held in place by the uterus and cervix. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
A pessary can help if you have a cystocele. This is when your bladder droops down into your vagina. It can also help if you have a rectocele. This is when the wall of your rectum bulges into the bottom of your vagina. In addition, a pessary can help many women who have stress urinary incontinence.
This is the leaking of urine when you cough, strain, or exercise. Pregnant women who have incontinence can also use a vaginal pessary. Your doctor will decide which type of pessary you should use depending on the problem you have. The pessary must be fitted just right in order to work correctly and be comfortable. Your doctor will fit you with several different sized pessaries until he or she finds one that fits best.
After that, you will probably be checked every few months. Sometimes the size or shape of the pessary will have to be changed. You can wear most pessaries for many days before taking them out to clean.
They can be cleaned with simple soap and water. You may be able to take out, clean, and reinsert your pessary yourself. Your doctor may want you to come into the office so he or she can do it.
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