Pessary FIttings in DUrham at Radiance

Elevating the conservative options for active woman living with prolapse and stress incontinence

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What Happens during a Pessary Fitting?


What happens in a pessary fitting at Radiance PT?

What is a pessary?

A pessary is a medical device that supports the walls of the vagina and the pelvic organs. Pessaries are available as a conservative treatment option for women experiencing bladder leaks or prolapse.

What are the benefits of Pessary?

  • It provides support to the pelvic organs and for many women reduces bothersome symptoms of heaviness

  • Improves your quality of life because you don't have to fear or worrisome symptoms get in the way of doing the sports you love.

Who is appropriate for a pessary

    • Any one with prolapse that causes symptoms

    • People who don’t want surgery

    • People who are waiting for surgery

    • People who have failed surgery

    • Women in the childbearing years

    • Pregnant or postpartum

    • People who have too many medical comorbidities for pelvic surgery 

      Who is not appropriate for Pessary Fitting?

    • Your Cognitive functions are NOT intact

    • Active vaginal infection

    • If you have vaginal bleeding that is not diagnosed

    • If you are unable to not follow up for your pessary management care

    • Vaginal Mesh* requires medical clearance

What are the risks of Pessary?

    • Most health individual are low risk, but the biggest risk includes skin erosion when pessaries are not managed appropriately

    • Denovo incontinence or stress incontinence that gets worse

Is this a 1 and done type of thing?

  • No- there are different types of pessaries and the pelvic floor measurements taken allow your provider to determine and test out what works.

  • Part of the process includes being consistent with your follow ups so that we can make sure you are not having skin damage and that your body is tolerating it well.

  • At Radiance PT, your provider follows the international standards of best practice for pessary management

How do you know if a pessary works?

  • You can’t feel inside you and it doesn't cause pain or discomfort

  • The pessary is not getting in the way of a bowel movement or urination

  • You can cough, beardown, back squat, deadlift, jump, run, squat and it stays in!

  • Part of the pessary fitting appointment at Radiance PT includes testing ALL of these movements for you!


What kind of pessaries are available?

Most modern pessaries are soft and flexible compared to traditional PVC pessaries.

  • Support Pessaries are held in place by your pelvic floor muscles or the pubic symphysis, they NEED something to hold aka SUPPORT them in place

  • Space Occupying Pessaries take up space in the vaginal cavity

    • Some of them have suction and some do not 

    • This is great if you dont have very good pelvic floor muscle support, ie- the muscle has major injury

    • Best for the people who have the ability to remove on their own as you need to take it out regularly for the tissue to get a break

      How often do I have to follow up?

  • The first Pessary appointment is 90-minutes

  • When you schedule your Pessary appointment we will also schedule the follow up appointment for 1-2 weeks which is 30minutes

  • Next will be a 1 month check, then see you in 6 months to 1 year. 

  • For current patients at Radiance PT this is a service you can add the Pessary fitting service and fee to your 1 hour appointment. 

  • If you have never been a patient, your medical provider who provides your Gynecological care can fax a referral to (910) 401-3217.