IF THE SYMPTOMS OF PROLAPSE ARE BOTHERSOME, WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE?

A device called a pessary is a very simple, non-surgical means of treating a bothersome prolapse. Pessaries were invented over two thousand years ago. The earliest known pessaries were pomegranates, cut in half and inserted into the vagina to hold the uterus up. Other pessaries were made of balls of wool. A bronze pessary was found in the ruins of Pompeii.

Now pessaries are made of Latex and can be placed in the vagina in order to help support the uterus, bladder, and/or rectum (see fig 9-2). Modern pessaries come in many shapes and sizes, as described on page xx, and many women use a pessary to control troublesome symptoms.

Some women only experience symptoms of prolapse or incontinence with certain activities, like running, hiking or exercising. Other women only notice a problem when they are on their feet all day, and gravity has time to pull the uterus down. These women may benefit greatly from the use of a pessary. Pessaries are also very useful for women who wish to defer surgery for a while or who are not able to have surgery for medical reasons.

Unfortunately, pessaries are not designed to provide much help for incontinence. But, the pessary may hold up the bladder well enough so that some women may experience less urinary incontinence. However, for others, a pessary can temporarily change the position of the bladder in a way that causes the urethra to stay open, and this may increase leaking. If this occurs, you may need to consider surgery.

• HOW DO PESSARIES WORK?
• WHAT DO PESSARIES LOOK LIKE?
• WHERE DO YOU GET A PESSARY?
• HOW DO YOU CARE FOR A PESSARY?
• ARE THERE SIDE-EFFECTS TO USING A PESSARY?
• WHAT KIND OF FOLLOW-UP CARE IS NEEDED WHEN YOU USE A PESSARY?
• WHEN IS SURGERY NECESSARY?
• CAN A PESSARY BE HELPFUL BEFORE SURGERY?

Edited Excerpts from our book
The Incontinence Solution

By William H. Parker, MD, Amy E. Rosenman, MD, and Rachel Parker

Order The Incontinence Solution directly from Amazon.com.

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Table Of Contents