Pessary help.

TennisCaptain · ‎03-09-2010

I just got fitted for my second pessary in 3 weeks. I feel it makes my incontinence worse. I don't want any surgery. Everything I read about them, says they're great. I do know how to insert them and have no trouble doing it. But, it just doesn't work. Does anyone else find this also. Or am I the only one on Earth that a pessary doesn't help?

lolakimono · ‎03-29-2012

I can't answer your question, but I did find this site that might be helpful.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1949074/

TennisCaptain · ‎03-09-2010

Thanks lolakimono. I've read every thing the internet had to offer. That's why I came here. There is nothing about it not working.

funwun · ‎02-03-2013

I spoke to my Mom about your situation, since she has had a pessary for many years and it works well for her. She asked if you still feel a drop because this may be a sizing issue...pessarys come in different sizes. In her opinion, it could also be a fitting problem...she suggested you return to your doctor and have him/ her reinsert it properly. She visits her doctor regularly (every few months) to have it removed, cleaned and reinserted. Good luck...hope this helps you.

TennisCaptain · ‎03-09-2010

Funwun, I've been fitted twice. My Doctor tried to go to the next size up, but ouch, that didn't work. But thanks for asking your Mom for me.

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

There are some women a pessary does not work well for and for some it will not work at all and that is usually a size/fitting issue.

Depending on your prolapse and other factors, a pessary may not be an option. Unfortunately I don't think there are too many other options besides surgery (make sure it is done by a uro-gynecologist who is experienced in these types of surgeries, don't be afraid of the "mesh" scare - talk to the dr) or wearing an undergarment for incontinence.

Anyway, I wish you well and please do let your dr know the issues you are having with it.

TennisCaptain · ‎03-09-2010

Thanks Lannie, I did talk to my doctor about the surgery. He also told me the "mesh' is not the same. I just don't think I want to do that. I am doing exercises that I hope will help. I'm just so disappointed that the pessay didn't work. And now I'm out $300 and have two useless pessaries. But I had to try. I also heard the surgery doesn't always work. My Mother in law had it without success. I'm a very active person, I play tennis, weight lift, hike, a personal trainer. I read such wonderful things about the pessary, Well, maybe the kegel exercises will work.

Silverandgold · ‎03-10-2010

I have a pessary for 2 yrs and it works for me. I should have gotten it sooner, but I was scared off by what I read. I also did not want surgery so the uro-gynecologist suggested I try the pessary. Finally, I decided to give it a try. Mine is for a prolapsed uterus (which is quite severe). I have the ring with support, which I can take out whenever I want to myself. I generally take it out at least once a wk to clean it, but I put it right back as it helps hold everything in place . My problem really wasn't incontinence though. I was not having those issues, mine was merely the dropped uterus. That is why I didn't want surgery, as often times, you are left with incontinence issues, or the surgery needs to be re-done again in a short time, etc. Sorry you are having problems, but perhaps it isn't the right kind or the right fit. (there are many variations). I was lucky, it took less than 5 minutes for the fit & I didn't really have problems (which quite honestly I was expecting). Good luck.

noseycat · ‎03-09-2010

My gynecologist tried either 2 or 3 pessarys on me and they were all very uncomfortable and I could not wear any of them. I just went ahead and had the hysterectomy and that ended all of my prolapse problems. I just wish I had done it sooner.