Pessaries

Submitted by fifi on April 8, 2011 - 1:25pm
Body: 

I was interested to read this lady on here cant remember her name,She had no problems with using one . A pessary ,it was the one you remove each night . What I wondered was how she put it in, how far up do you have to insert it? I dont like the idea of struggling with one, and how do you know you have put it in the right place? also how do you remove it for cleaning .Can you feel it when walking?would appreciate any replies Thanks.

lucy1995

April 10, 2011 - 7:48am

Hi Fifi. . .not sure if you were referring to me, but I have recently posted on the subject and am hoping that I can be of some help. Yes, I do a pessary and have used it for the past 5 years. To me it has become second nature and it is much like putting in my contacts at the beginning of the day and taking them back out before retiring for the night. I am not sure if luck has played a part, or the fact that my doctor has been very supportive of the device and my ability to want it to work, is the key. First off, my use is monitored on a regular basis by my physician. The pessary itself is given meticulous care and I don't overuse or abuse it. As far as placing the pessary, it just goes where it needs to go. It can't be pushed any farther than needed. If it is a good fit you should not have any concerns with it but it will take a few days to overcome that fear. Once in place you should not even be aware that it is there. No rubbing, no slipping. It is given a quick rinse, each night, with a tiny bit of antibacterial soap and left to air dry. I know that there have been concerns expressed on here regarding tissue break down and the need to replace with larger sizes due to stretching but after 5 years I have had neither. In fact, I just had my original pessary replaced after all that time! It was still doing it's job but I felt that the silicone was breaking down. I was told that normally they would break down long before 5 years so I was, in fact, taking very good care of it. Also, the size of the pessary itself did not change so I have to believe that there has been no stretching over years of use. Also, five years ago I was aware of every twist and turn I made prior to my pessary use. Now, if I am "lazy", staying in my jammies all day, I don't even bother with the pessary. I never even notice that it is not in place! My belief is that the pessary has prevented further prolapse and perhaps strengthed my muscles as a result. My physician tells me that she has patients who have used pessaries into their 80's and one even in her 90's! For me, it has been a lifesaver and has added much to the quality of my life. I can't speak for everyone or every pessary. I can say, it was a wise decision for me. Hope this helps. Have a great day!

louiseds

April 10, 2011 - 9:24am

It is great to hear these success stories.

Louise

fifi

April 10, 2011 - 10:16am

Thanks Lucy, it is comforting to hear you have had no trouble I wonder how the doctors knows which size a person would need?One more thing how on earth do you manage to get it out? I think your type of pessary is safer than one put in for a long time and problems could perhaps arise .I am surprised so many young women have this prolapse I'm in my sixties but it must be worse for the young women with children.

lucy1995

April 10, 2011 - 10:40am

Hey Fifi. . .glad to see you got back to the board. The doctor can size it by a finger check. It should be snug but not constricting. They know how to do it. Sometimes different types have to be tried but I was one of the lucky ones. First time out worked for me! They can be left in and the doctor can remove it, periodically, to clean it, etc. but I just prefer to remove it nightly myself. I think that has something to do with my success and I think it is healthier too. It is really easy to remove. . . .just loop a finger under it and pull. Simple as that. I too am in my sixties and it is definitely the result of childbirth. I had a difficult time with my first child and I was forewarned that there could be problems down the road. A minor inconvenience in my mind. I am comfortable with my body and that too has a lot to do with my success. Hope this answers your questions but feel free to ask if you have others.

lucy1995

April 10, 2011 - 10:41am

Thanks for the comment. I am hoping that I will continue to have success with my current treatment. Glad to share.

fifi

April 10, 2011 - 1:14pm

Thanks for your reply Lucy,its good to get this information as my physio might suggest a pessary I have just been told I have a prolapse 2 months ago One more question do you have to go very far to reach your pessary, sorry if its personal but I'm imagining me doing mine if I have to.Ha Ha I'm using a Pelvitone Nero Track and it seems to be working as I dont need the Loo so often.

lucy1995

April 10, 2011 - 6:46pm

Greetings! No, I don't have to go very far. It is very accessible and is out in about a milisecond! Now I have a question for you. What is a Pelvitone Nero Track? Thanks a bunch and hope I helped you with your concerns.

cuteandfunny

April 11, 2011 - 5:49am

I had one put in by the doctor it hurt so much I went in and removed myself any solutions

fifi

April 11, 2011 - 10:31am

Hello Lucy I live in the UK While surfing the net looking for information about Prolapse this page came up advertising this( Neurotrac Pelvitone)Its a kegels advert and at the time I wanted anything I thought might help me so sent for the leaflet and chose this one it looks like a Tense machine or a large phone ,is run by battery and you insert a tube like thing and it tones your pelvic muscles as I said there has been an improvement in I dont need the loo so much and I'm just about to give myself the treatment as I call it now ha ha ,if you Google it it should come up I discovered this before Christine. You have to take it to your Doc or Physio and they show you how its done let me know what you think it you find it on the net Bye.

louiseds

April 11, 2011 - 10:33am

Cuteandfunny, Did it hurt on the way in, while it was in place, or while taking it out, or 'all of the above?

Louise

louiseds

April 11, 2011 - 10:35am

Without seeming to be flippant, it sounds like a vibrator to me. ;-)

Louise

lucy1995

April 11, 2011 - 5:46pm

Cuteandfunny. . . was the placement painful or the device itself? When they are brand spanking new there isn't a lot of "play" but once it is worn it conforms. I didn't really have any discomfort from the get go. Maybe you should bring it to your doctor's attention? Perhaps it was not the right fit for you. Sometimes it is necessary to try several types before you find the one that works for you. Keep me posted.

lucy1995

April 11, 2011 - 5:49pm

Well Fifi, that is very interesting. I will google that and have a look see. I am not sure if I would want to go that route. Seems like it is a lot of work but if it works for you than it is the right "tool", if you will! I will check it out.

Sammy

April 12, 2011 - 8:12am

Why are pessaries not available in the local drug stores? How much do they cost? Do insurance plan cover them? If you have to keep trying for rite size/style do you waste a lot?
A few years back the medicine for yeast infections was not available Over the Counter (OTC)but now is-- I would advocate for pessaries to be made more available and not just at the specialist's office ....why oh why is everything so controlled...
why are some doctors so shy of them? Why would anyone leave them in as they sleep? It is wonderful to hear they work for some women for decades..
What effect does the fullness/emptiness of the bowel/bladder have on pessaries?
I would appreciate if any one has ideas on these matters.

lucy1995

April 16, 2011 - 10:05pm

I would think that they would not be an OTC device as they need to be fitted to work correctly. I am not sure what the cost is but I do know that my insurance covers it. I think some doctors are hesitant as they must be cared for properly or they can cause some serious issues. You have to be diligent in caring for them. Some women are uncomfortable inserting and removing them. In that case, you would have to have the doctor do it every so often. Personally, I would never leave it in place 24 hours a day. It is removed nightly, washed with a bit of soap and left to air dry overnight. That is why my doctor was in favor of giving it a try with me. That was 5 years ago. I can say that in my case, the placement of the pessary has no effect on my other organs. Key is finding a doctor who will work with you and your desire and ability to use the device. Hope this helps.

AnneH

April 17, 2011 - 3:20pm

Government and the medical community don't trust women to buy a simple round or squarish blob of inert polymer for the purpose of holding up organs, though apparently it's okay for us to buy oblong objects made of the same material for the same bodily orifice for the purpose of fun and games, without consultation and permission from The Powers That Be. Go figure.

I think doctors are shy of them because they're educated in medical schools and in truth don't know much else. Why medical schools don't educate doctors in pessaries may have to do with the simple and inexpensive nature of the pessary solution as compared to the lucrative nature (for the medical community) of the surgical solution.

Sammy

April 17, 2011 - 4:58pm

U said it rite- IMHO - they have allowed tampons which have caused UTI and life threatening infections in some inattentive women- I should think that any one of us diligent enought to get a pessary would be attentive to it--why the mystery- is it all part of the sacred woman owned by the society she is a part of- it appears that a lot of women cannot even with the specialists help get a pessary to work for her- maybe it is because of the specialists help she fails in sensitizing herself to the offering.
i laughted so much at the comment to have used a baby soother since if it is safe for a baby's mouth it must be ok for the birth canal.