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How to maintain a pessary
I have just been fitted with a pessary for bladder prolapse. I had sling surgery in 2001 and the sling finally failed after 20+ years. I'd rather not have surgery again at 68 , thus the pessary. My doctor told me I can take it out anytime to wash and replace. She said some women can't physically remove theirs so they come to see her every 3 to 4 months and she does it. That seems like a long time to me.
I'm wondering how long other people leave theirs in for. Is it difficult to get it back in? Thanks for any advice you can give me.
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@trishdub
I have had a pessary for about 5 years. Mine is easy to remove as it has a short handle that enables me to pull it out. I remove mine twice a week overnight and use a pea size drop of estradiol when I do. I wash it thoroughly with soap and water and keep it in a plastic container and then the next morning I use KY jelly to re insert. So, the shape of the pessary can determine how easy it is to remove. Someone with arthritis in their hands may have difficulty.
I would personally not want to leave it in for months and have to visit a provider for removal. I initially tried a few types and sizes in the office (all circular discs and some without handles) and my provider made sure I was able to work with it in addition to making sure it was comfortable. I remember her telling me to use the bathroom to make sure it doesn’t fall out. Ask your provider if you could try this type…it really makes a difference when you can grab onto it for removal. Since it is rubbery, I just bend the handle a bit for reinsertion. If it makes a difference, I am now 84 and have good manual dexterity.
FL Mary
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3 Reactions@imallears
Hi, Mary,
Thank you for your comments. What you do makes sense to me. I will remove mine tonight and wash it. What is estradiol? I do have a gel that the doctor gave me to use that will help maintain the normal pH of the vagina. Perhaps yours does the same thing?
Thanks again.
Trish
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1 ReactionHi Trish
Yes, estradiol does the same thing…very low dosage of 0.1 mg. Not everyone can use it or prefer not to do so and it’s reported that some women suffer side effects. If you look at the vaginal dryness or vaginal atrophy discussions on Mayo, there are numerous references to Premarin or coconut oil as alternatives for vaginal health. You might want to ask the name of the gel you were given. If it is a prescription that your insurance may not cover, ask for a generic or over the counter product that will probably do just as well. Just be sure you are scrupulous about vaginal cleanliness and what and how you use it as contamination is so easy. Women are so susceptible to UTIs and can actually have them without any noticeable side effects.
I get my estradiol at a compounding pharmacy near me..probably twice a year at about $60 a tube…The tube size wore off the label so I can’t give you that information. It’s been working for me..so far so good. I am not a fan of using coconut oil..it would have to be organic and a brand that I know where the source is from. It is a personal preference . I don’t know if coconut oil comes in tubes but the fact that some people may be scooping out of jars is a concern for contamination.
Anyway scrub them hands like a surgeon would!
FL Mary
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