The Pessary: A Sports Bra for Your Hoo-Ha

A pessary is a medical-grade, silicone device that is inserted into the vagina, similar to a tampon. It is primarily used as a non-surgical intervention in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to support the pelvic organs and minimize their descent and to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

A pessary must be fitted for by someone trained to do so, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists, Gynaecologists and Family Physicians may all be trained in fittings.

There are many different shapes and sizes of pessaries. Depending on the situation, the pessary may be left in for weeks, months, or removed daily. Some women wear them all day long and others only use a pessary for activities where they feel they need a little extra support (think, a sports bra for your vagina).

A pessary can be a great tool to use alongside pelvic floor physiotherapy to help you reduce fear, bothersome sensations associated with POP and SUI and allow you to work on exercises and strengthening to improve your symptoms and pelvic floor strength and endurance. It can prove to be a great option before surgical intervention.

A pessary is generally safe when used correctly, but there are certain risks associated with it:
- Increased vaginal secretions
- Skin irritation
- Infection
- Expulsion
- Difficulty and pain evacuating bowels or emptying bladder
- Unmasking of stress urinary incontinence
- Incarceration (the pessary becomes fused with the vaginal wall)
- Migration/fistula
- Increased risk of squamous cell vaginal cancer.
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using your pessary, notify your pelvic floor physiotherapist and see your doctor.

Disclaimer: Prior to participating in any physical activity or workouts or medical intervention, we recommend that you consult with your physician or other health care professionals to determine if these physical activities or workouts or medical interventions are right for you. The author is not liable for any damages due to any omissions, errors or mistakes in this communication or your use of the same. If you use the information in this communication to participate in a physical activity, exercises and medical interventions you do so at your own risk.