discharge from Pessary

Submitted by elcie on November 4, 2016 - 3:16am
Body: 

I have had a Pessary inserted now for 2 years -in general it is fine but lately I have had a burning sensation and can often feel something running back towards the back passage - I assumed this was a urinary problem but I am wondering if it is a discharge rom the vaginal area - it seems to burn anyway and makes me very uncomfortable - I change my pads regularly and this does help - I have been using a cider vinegar and warm water wash and this does settle the area down. I am in NZ and the Dr's here change the Pessaries every 6 months - I have a ring Pessary which I do not remove myself. I use Ovestin cream once a week - my nurse said that any discharge was normal as the body had a foreign object in it and it was trying to expel it??? I assumed she knew what she was talking about but it seems to be a secret subject anything to do with this area and I am seeking support and answers to my questions - another thing I found helps was aloevera gel - straight from the inside of the leaf - smear it on to help settle any stinging. I am asking if others that have this type of Pessary have any discharge problems ad how they deal with them. thanks elcie

Forum:

Surviving60

November 4, 2016 - 4:45am

Hi elcie - We are not big on pessaries at Whole Woman, as they hold the vagina open and tend to aggravate prolapse. Two years of wearing one, that only gets removed every 6 months, certainly isn't how we would like to see you managing a cystocele. I checked some past posts and see that you are not a newbie here. Have you considered ditching the pessary along with the hormone cream (nasty stuff)? I am 66 and have been managing cystocele and rectocele successfully for over 6 years using WW posture and practices. - Surviving

elcie

November 5, 2016 - 3:11am

Unfortunately I did go without anything for around 5 years or so and it got so I was coping with a large tennis ball size protruding out all the time - I had trouble passing water and this is why the pessary was used. I have never managed to get the magical position that you talk about so just did this to avoid surgery. They wanted to remove my uterus and cut and tuck the vagina wall which I balked at. this for me is the best option I can cope with so while it is rather sore at the moment it is better than the huge bulge I had before. I just wondered if this discharge was something anyone had or if it was something different and needed a Dr to look at - trouble is each time I go in with a problem they whip the pessary out and replace it with a new one - It takes 3 to 4 weeks for a new one to settle so I avoid having contact with the Dr until the time I need to go. there is an area that sneaks past the pessary and maybe this is what is making it so sore this time. thanks for your advice but I am prepared to tough it out for now - cheers Elcie

Aging gracefully

November 5, 2016 - 5:40am

Hi elcie,
There have been many women coming on complaining of the issues you are having with your pessary; that's why they really are not the best long term solution.
But, since that is what is working for you right now, some of the things that I have read about what other women do is: leaving the pessary out until you are healed first; and then find a doctor who will show you how to put it in and take it out, so you can take it out and wash it every night as well as give your vagina a rest from it at night. This would also be a good time to put some honey high up in the vagina, because it has wonderful healing properties.
Lots of other discussions about pessaries on here, just put some key words in the search box.
Hope that helps some.

elcie

November 6, 2016 - 2:11am

I will check out other postings on the subject - NZ seems to be way behind the rest of the world as far as woman's issues go - there are supposed to be so many women with this problem and I cant find one that is prepared to admit to it - I have to rely on overseas web sites for information = Cheers elcie

Surviving60

November 7, 2016 - 3:45am

Elcie - we have members here from all over the globe, and I can tell you, NZ is no further behind than the rest of the world. The only true enlightenment that is taking place anywhere, is right here. It's a shame so many woman are still buying into the medical profession's woeful misunderstanding of female pelvic anatomy and how to "treat" conditions that arise. The majority of women end up with some degree of prolapse, and many won't discuss it because they are so unhappy with the outcomes of treatments they have received. Whereas we here at WW are shouting it from the rooftops! - Surviving

kstar

November 20, 2016 - 3:30am

Hi Elcie
I'm a fellow NZer and also use a pessary. However I want to a specialist pelvic floor physio (Sharon Wilson in Nelson) for mine which I'd totally recommend as my GP was clueless about prolapse treatment. I have a cube that you wash daily instead of one that you keep in all the time. I also have follow ups with Sharon to monitor how the pessary is going and to get exercises for core strength etc) so it's a much more holistic approach than just getting something stuck up there and being given some cream (which my physio recommended avoiding if you can) like a Dr does. I also go to a natropath who was recommended by the physio and have had supplements to improve circulation and rebuild connective tissue. It's early days so I can't tell you how sucessful it's been but so far I can say haven't had any issues and I'm slowly regaining my life which is positive. Hope that helps and good luck!

Dancin

December 27, 2016 - 7:08pm

Hi kstar.

I am 69 years young and have a stage four prolapse. All kinds of things out there!! I have stopped using my pessary (a ring) because of much irritation and dryness. My gynecologist's answer is to do a laser treatment to make the lining of my uterus "young" again. Can you share with me what supplements you have started using to improve circulation and rebuild connective tissue? Also, I've never heard of a specialist pelvic floor physio. Sounds like someone who might understand the problems prolapse causes.

Aging gracefully

December 27, 2016 - 7:29pm

Hi Dancin,
Some raw local honey would do wonders for vaginal dryness and irritation; just put a dab on your finger and insert it high up into the vagina.
I did read back over your older posts and noting that you have had hernia surgeries and back issues, wondering if you have considered a consult with Christine to see how you should proceed?

Dancin

December 28, 2016 - 1:18pm

Thank you for responding AG. I am going to arrange a consult with Christine as that seems like the next step I need to take. My back problems are pretty bad, but doing therapy and trying to avoid surgery. I think if I can get close to the WW posture, it would help both prolapse and back.