If you’re looking for a non-surgical option to control bladder leakage, a pessary might be just what you need.
Millions of women are affected by stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that’s adding anxiety to many aspects of their daily life. When going for a jog, a workout or even just sneezing or laughing causes urinary leakage, women need to seek treatment to alleviate the issue. Covering up the problem with pads, or seeking an invasive surgery are common options, but the most recommended (at least to try) is a bladder support device like a vaginal pessary.
How do vaginal pessaries work?
There are numerous different types (shapes) of pessaries available to women seeking a non-surgical leakage control solution. Everything from donut shapes, to cubes or disk shaped Gellhorn’s are available on the market, but for many women a tampon shape is preferred. It’s a necessary process of trial-and-error because finding the right fit is very important.
Pessaries (bladder supports) are worn like tampons inside the vagina but are made from materials like silicone or a special ‘latex and silicone free’ medical grade thermoplastic elastomer (like uresta® branded pessaries) that is non-absorbent and bio compatible. Most pessaries are inserted and removed like tampons when not being worn or for cleaning. When inserted into the vagina, pessaries work by supporting the bladder neck of the urethra to help stop stress leakage when exercising, sneezing, laughing etc. Urination and bowel movements can occur as normal when wearing a pessary device.
Are pessaries safe?
Pessaries are very safe when used correctly. As with anything worn inside the vagina, there is a small but noteworthy risk of something called toxic shock syndrome, which is a rare condition caused by toxin producing bacteria. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean a pessary device and adhere to all safety guidelines outlined regarding your specific pessary (some can be worn longer than others per 24-hour period). If anything seems out of the ordinary, contact your medial professional.
Can I combine a pessary with other types of treatment?
A vaginal pessary is designed to work on its own, but it can be combined with other treatments such as pelvic floor strengthening exercises. It’s recommended to remove the pessary for this specific type of exercise though, and it goes without saying that other lifestyle changes such as diet, fluid intake, weight loss etc. are fine while wearing a pessary.
Do pessaries work for women with SUI?
Medical experts agree that pessaries should always be recommended as an option to treat urinary leakage. Not all devices work for each individual either, so it’s important that women understand that there is a process to finding the ‘prefect fit’ pessary, and that even then, they may not experience the kind of relief they were hoping for. Also, while mostly every woman could benefit, there are some cases where a pessary might not be a good option:
- Women that are unable to insert or remove the device from their vagina.
- Women who are pregnant.
- Women experiencing symptoms of a urinary tract infection or other vaginal concern.
- Women with diagnosed heavy incontinence.
Speak with your medical professional if you’re suffering from urinary incontinence
Getting in touch with your doctor about any symptoms you’re having is always step one. A medical professional will be able to diagnose your condition and then go over all treatment options with you. It’s recommended to use surgery only as a last resort and trying lifestyle changes or a vaginal pessary device first to see if they can alleviate the problem for you is important. Most vaginal pessaries do not require a prescription, are available for private purchase, can be inserted, removed and cleaned at home. It’s always important to follow all instructions and safety guidelines associated with whichever product you choose. If any issues or concerns arise, don’t hesitate to contact your medical professional.
For more information about uresta® brand vaginal pessaries, please visit our website by clicking the link: https://myuresta.com/.
For a limited time, health care providers in the U.S. can prescribe uresta® for their patients with confidence thanks to a 30-day money back guarantee. After a $50 processing fee, patients will receive a refund of $249 applied to their credit card if they don’t like uresta®. There are no returns necessary.
The content and opinions included in this article are intended for informational purposes only and have been sponsored by Uresta®.