Pessary Fittings and Management
Specialized pessary care for conservative pelvic floor prolapse care in Scarborough and Bath
Vagial pessaries are a conservative option to manage symptoms surrounding pelvic organ prolapse.
Our pelvic therapists are trained in pessary sizing and fitting, and they would love to help you. Treatment includes collaborative care with you and your additional providers, such as urogynecologists, gynecologists/obstetricians, midwives, or primary care physicians, to determine the optimal approach to help you reach your goals and reduce prolapse symptoms.
A pessary may be a fit for you if you have symptoms such as:
Feeling of “falling out” in the vagina
Pressure at the vaginal canal, like a tampon or golfball is sitting at the vaginal opening
Heaviness at the pelvic floor or vaginal opening
Physically feeling tissue coming out of the vaginal opening
Inability to empty their bladder or bowel without splinting (pushing the tissue upwards and back into the vagina)
If you have pelvic prolapse, surgery is not your only option. We’re proud to offer comprehensive and collaborative conservative management.
We’d love to work with you on conservative management of your prolapse, and pessary fitting is one part of our approach. In addition to pessary support, our pelvic floor therapists also work with you to continue preventing future prolapse and reduce any patterns that may be contributing to ongoing prolapse symptoms.
In addition to collaborative pessary fitting and care, we’ll also work on pressure management strategies, optimal bowel and bladder emptying habits, retraining pelvic floor and core connection, and breathing strategies to reduce pressure on your pelvic floor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pessary Fitting
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A pessary is a silicone device that is inserted vaginally to support the vaginal walls when there is descent of vaginal tissue or laxity within the vaginal and surrounding tissue.
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Most people don't feel their pessary at all once it's properly fitted! There may be a brief adjustment period, but if you're experiencing ongoing discomfort, it's a sign that a different size or style might work better for you. Your provider will work with you to find the right fit.
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A pessary can be a wonderful option if you're dealing with prolapse or leakage and want to avoid surgery or try a conservative approach first. The best way to find out if it's a good fit is to schedule a consultation so we can talk through your symptoms and goals together.
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For most people, we recommend a follow-up visit a few weeks after your initial fitting to make sure everything is working well. After that, routine check-ins are typically every 3 to 6 months, but everyone is different and we will give you specific details once we work with you.
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A pessary is a management tool rather than a cure, but that doesn't make it any less valuable. Many people wear pessaries for years and feel significant relief from their symptoms. Our goal is for it to be used alongside pelvic floor physical therapy to support longer-term progress. Your provider will help you think through what a realistic and sustainable plan looks like for you. This is the value of our comprehensive care model.
Next Steps
To learn more about this service please reach out to us at 207-200-1626 or fill out the contact form linked below - we would love to support you!