What Conditions Can a Pessary Help With?

What Conditions Can a Pessary Help With?

A Guide from Your PhysioFit’s Women’s Health Physical Therapy Team

When it comes to pelvic health, many women experience symptoms like pressure, discomfort, or even urinary leakage that impact their daily lives. A pessary is a simple, non-surgical device that can help manage these symptoms effectively. As women’s health physical therapists, we often work with patients who use pessaries as part of their treatment plan. In this post, we’ll explore what a pessary is, the conditions it can help with, and how it fits into a comprehensive pelvic health approach.

---

What Is a Pessary?

A pessary is a small, removable device inserted into the vagina to provide support for the pelvic organs. They come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to individual needs, and are typically made of medical-grade silicone.

Pessaries can be fitted by a healthcare provider, such as a urogynecologist, gynecologist, or trained pelvic health physical therapist, and they can be an excellent option for women looking to avoid or delay surgery for pelvic floor disorders.

---

What Conditions Can a Pessary Help With?

1. Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the bladder, uterus, or rectum descends into the vaginal space due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. This can cause:
✅ A feeling of heaviness or bulging in the vagina
✅ Discomfort with activity or prolonged standing
✅ Difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels

💡 How a Pessary Helps: A pessary provides structural support, reducing symptoms and preventing further prolapse progression.

---

2. Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Stress urinary incontinence is the leakage of urine with activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise. It happens when the pelvic floor muscles and urethral support structures are weak.

💡 How a Pessary Helps: Some pessaries, like the continence ring or dish with a knob, apply gentle pressure to the urethra, helping to reduce urine leakage.

---

3. Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Some women experience both stress urinary incontinence and urgency incontinence (sudden, strong urges to urinate). A pessary can provide support and stabilization, reducing symptoms of both types.

---

4. Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Floor Support

During pregnancy, the added weight and pressure on the pelvic floor can lead to discomfort, heaviness, and early signs of prolapse. Some pregnant individuals use a pessary for:
✅ Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms during pregnancy
✅ Cervical insufficiency (in certain cases, under medical guidance)

💡 How a Pessary Helps: It provides additional support to reduce strain on the pelvic floor during pregnancy.

---

5. Postpartum Recovery

After childbirth, many women experience weakened pelvic floor muscles and connective tissues, leading to mild prolapse or incontinence. A pessary may be used temporarily to provide support during the healing process.

---

Is a Pessary Right for You?

A pessary can be a valuable, non-invasive solution for many pelvic floor concerns. However, it’s important to:
🔹 Get properly fitted by a healthcare professional
🔹 Pair pessary use with pelvic floor physical therapy to optimize strength and function
🔹 Learn how to insert, remove, and care for your pessary

At our clinic, we work closely with patients to determine the best treatment options for their unique needs. If you’re experiencing symptoms of prolapse, incontinence, or pelvic discomfort, we’d love to help you explore all available options—including whether a pessary might be right for you.

---

Final Thoughts

A pessary is a simple yet effective tool that can significantly improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life. Whether you’re managing prolapse, incontinence, or pregnancy-related pelvic floor challenges, a pessary—combined with physical therapy and lifestyle modifications—can be a game-changer.

📞 Interested in learning more? Reach out to our women’s health physical therapy team for a consultation!