Most women have never heard of a pessary until the day a doctor recommends it as a way to treat prolapse symptoms. A pessary is a prosthetic medical device that is inserted into the vagina in order to prevent organs from sinking down further and causing painful symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and urinary incontinence.
Pessaries are a common solution, but are they right for you? While some women are able to use pessaries with ease, others cannot due to a variety of conditions.
The Pros of Pessaries
Compared to surgery, pessaries provide a cheaper and less intensive alternative. It can be inserted by a healthcare professional and maintained by the individual.
Delay Surgery
Prolapse surgery is an option many wish to avoid, and pessaries can assist women in delaying or avoiding surgical procedures. It provides less risk for women who are physically unable to endure surgery.
Variety of Options
There are numerous types of pessaries with different purposes, such as ring pessaries, Gehrung pessaries, and shelf pessaries. Depending on the severity and type of symptoms, there are numerous options to choose from.
The Downside of a Pessary
While pessaries do have advantages, there are many problems associated with them as well.
Varying Success Rate
Success rates depend on various factors, but a study in the International Urogynecology Journal noted that 41-74% of women were able to find relief with pessaries. In some situations, less than half of the women using pessaries found them helpful or comfortable. Even at the highest success rate levels, 1 in 5 women were unable to achieve relief with a pessary.
Not suitable for all women
Many women have physical conditions where a pessary cannot be inserted. Conditions like lichen sclerosus prevent women from treating their prolapse symptoms with pessaries. Some women who have pelvic prolapse after a hysterectomy also find difficulty keeping the pessary inside the body.
Must be replaced frequently
As pessaries can easily become dislodged or cause internal pain, it may be necessary to repeatedly return to the doctor to have one fitted. Since pessaries are available in many shapes and sizes, some women may need to try different versions in order to find the one that best suits them.
Difficulty with sexual intercourse
Patients have noted that pessaries can cause discomfort during sexual intercourse. Some women remove them beforehand, which is inconvenient depending on the type of pessary inserted. A notable degree of self-maintenance is important in order to maintain both a pessary and a healthy sex life.
No Pessary? No Problem
FemiCushion UK provides safe and effective prolapse relief for women who are unable to use pessaries or wish to avoid them. Unlike pessaries, nothing goes inside the body. Instead, FemiCushion uses a soft and flexible silicone cushion to gently hold prolapsed organs inside the body and prevents them from bulging from the vagina. With use over time, prolapse symptoms are greatly reduced, allowing women to return to a normal and active lifestyle.
Our site is filled with information about how FemiCushion gives women comfort and support. Start your journey today.
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