pessary ring - why do I feel like I have to pee all the time with one inserted?

Submitted by shamangirl on July 1, 2013 - 12:25pm
Body: 

I'm 57 years old with a stage 3 uterine prolapse, and stage 2 cytocele and 1-2 rectocele which stated 23 years ago with the birth of my second son at almot 11 pounds. The prolapses have gotten worse over the past 5 years and I have finally decided to try a pessary for relief. My doctor says that my anatomy makes it hard for her to fit me - the cube caused a lot of pain and a lesion and I felt like I needed to pee all the time, most others didn't fit and I am finally using a ring pessary with support (although I've heard they don't work for more than mild prolapses). The first day I wore it, it felt great and seemed to do the trick even though it doesn't stay horizontal after I put it in but tends to be more vertical but at an angle) - I took it out for the night. But this morning when I put it back in, I started to feel l needed to pee all the time, even if I didn't - like the pessary was pressing on my bladder or urethra. Any ideas why this is happening? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I could try or could I just be one of the women who can't seem to use a pessary? Also, where can I get more info on a sponge and would one possibly work for my situation? Thanks

Forum:

wholewomanUK

July 1, 2013 - 12:42pm

Hi shamangirl,
There is some info on pessaries in the 'saving the ww' book. In this it says that most pessaries actually flip over into vertical position as the vaginal passage is actually normally closed most of the time, and doesn't naturally have a round open shape. Some women find pessaries actually tend to make the vaginal passage larger over time, which obviously doesn't help pop. It sounds to me as if the pessary may be pressing on your urethra/bladder, as you say. Apparently the ring with support pessary has most success with some women with cystocele. However many women do not find long term relief with pessaries and some find it postively makes things worse one way or another.

Have you tried the WW posture and approach? Having a thorough understanding of the WW principles and knowing what helps and what doesn't hep, would be very helpful.

Best wishes, xwholewomanuk

buffgirl

July 1, 2013 - 8:19pm

I have been working with a circular pessary for just over a year and am really pleased that I finally got one. It did take some getting used to once I got the right size. I think the peeing problem could be positioning. I also had some spotting when removing or inserting the pessary. I then decided to leave it in longer, using plenty of lubrication, and let it position itself. It did seem to flip to vertical which was more comfortable. Now I don't know it's there! Sometimes I am able to leave it out for a few days without the return of the cystocele and rectocele--keep hoping I'm done with pop, but no such luck. The condition was definitely too severe before I found Whole Woman.
Good luck and I wish you the best.
I tried the WW posture and other techniques & exercises for almost a year before
deciding (at age 72) that I definitely needed more structural help. My primary care physician concurred so I continue to use it as well as the posture and exercise.

mitch45karen47

July 24, 2013 - 5:48pm

I am 65 and have just been diagnosed with vaginal prolapse. Doctor gave me options: do nothing, try a pessary, or get surgery. I have been reading a lot online and came across this site. Had been going to a PT for bulging discs, and when I mentioned the prolapse, he recommended the kegels 6 times a day for two months. I started them and then read at this site they are harmful or at very leas do nothing at all. I have stopped. I have led an active life...crosscountry skiing, gardening, kayaking, yoga, walking...now everything seems so diminished...I feel like a have a full tampon pushing down out my vagina. I would like to try a pessary...does anyone have any suggestions for the type of prolapse I have been diagnosed with?

MsNightingale

July 24, 2013 - 7:27pm

Welcome to this site. Your doctor gave you three options but luckily you have discovered a fourth! And it is the best one---this site! If you can afford the book and First Aid for Prolapse DVD, that is where you want to start. Until you get them, read all that you can here. The key to success is in the posture. You want to lift up your chest, soften all of your belly muscles, lift upward with the crown of the head and breath into your belly. It sounds like you are an active woman and that is great, but you want to make sure that you are never tucking your tailbone under (that is what my yoga teacher taught) and never pulling in your belly muscles (she taught that too). With this posture you will be honoring your natural lumbar curvature, not taking it away like the suck in, tuck under philosophy which is not the natural posture for a woman. Examine carefully your posture and try to determine if that is what you have been doing. Great that you have stopped the kegels. Almost all PTs are kegel focused and as you learn this posture, read a lot and post your questions, you will understand why that is not the answer. There is much information here and these amazing candid generous women who post here will give you much guidance and support. I have been here a year now and am so so so much better now. Sending you best wishes!

Surviving60

July 25, 2013 - 4:25am

Just to be clear - you say that you have been diagnosed with a "vaginal prolapse". Was he any more specific than that? Uterine prolapse? Cystocele/rectocele? Or are you talking about a vaginal vault prolapse, in which case you most likely have had hysterectomy? - Surviving

heygirl

October 16, 2013 - 9:34pm

buffgirl do you know the name of the circular pessary you have been using. I need to go to my obgyn and get fitted if i can. I have a very large prolapse(I think the entire vaginal walls are out) and I must have a stage 4
I am in me seventies also thanks for any help

Surviving60

October 17, 2013 - 5:14am

Heygirl - have you had hysterectomy or other repairs done? in another post you have referred to your prolapse as a large cystocele. In this post you say that you think the vaginal walls are out. If that were the case, it would be a vaginal vault prolapse. This is common only after hysterectomy. We could help you better if we knew of any other surgical history you might have. - Surviving