vaginal lubrication with pessary

Body: 

I am glad I found this website because I don't know where else to turn to. I am 64, and have been using a pessary for a cystocele (3) and a rectocele (2) for almost a year. I was using 1 gm of estriol cream (.5mg/gm) twice week, and I never felt the pessary. However, in August I noticed some dried blood on the pessary so I had an ultrasound which showed thickening and then a biopsy. No hyperplasia so my urogyn said to continue with the estriol. I was hesitant to do so. My regular gyn was also not concerned, but said I could try vagifem (estradiol 10mcg tablets) twice a week. Still not doing it. I am using a new lubrication called luvena which the urogyn said I could try. Now I feel the pessary all the time. Not working well.

Am I being overly concerned? What are others with a uterus using for lubrication? Is there something out there that is not an estrogen but will work better then luvena?

Thanks for any help.

You could try Replens. I have written to them locally, to ask about using Replens prior to a PAP smear, but have not received a reply. Try asking your
local pharmacist. If they don't have any suggestions they should be able to give you a local Replens contact. Replens is classed as a vaginal moisturiser. I have seen one study that concludes that it is as good as oestrogen cream.

Any chance of removing the pessary at night and giving your vagina a break? If not, then a slightly different type of pessary, that folds more easily, might make that possible.

Louise

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking of alternating with replens but still use the luvena since it has anti-yeast proteins and antibacterial enzymes. It is very helpful in preventing yeast infections if you are prone to them. I have been removing the pessary every night.

I wonder why there is not a probiotic, pH adjusted lubricant/moisturiser that is not oestrogen-based, on the market, for pessary users?

Perhaps "... probiotic, pH adjusted ..." is a chemical oxymoron?

I am glad you are removing the pessary at night. From the reading I have been doing about pessary use that is the way they are ideally used, to give the vagina a rest from the constant presence of a foreign body. The fact that most pessaries seem to be prescribed for older women may be why there is a regimen of leaving it in for months at a time and having it checked and cleaned by a doctor, for a fee, of course.

If it works for you, I think you can figure out for yourself what is acceptable for your body. As a grown woman I see no reason why a doctor should have the final word and tell you to leave it in on a continuous basis, if it is causing changes to your vaginal tissues.

Louise