Life gets busy. A well-fitted pessary can be comfortable and let you get back to the things you love, but that comfort can also lead to complacency. This article serves as a reminder for women who use pessaries: how they help, why routine care matters, what to watch for, and how we can support you at Active Women’s Health.
What is a pessary?
A pessary is a medical device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs (for example the bladder, uterus or bowel) when those organs sag or bulge into the vaginal space (pelvic organ prolapse). Pessaries are an established, non-surgical management option that can reduce symptoms and help women stay active and comfortable.
Why many women choose a pessary
Pessaries can be used:
- To relieve symptoms of prolapse (pressure, heaviness, bulging).
- To support bladder symptoms that are related to prolapse.
- As a non-surgical option while you plan next steps, during postpartum recovery, or when surgery is not preferred.
They do not “fix” prolapse permanently, but they often make everyday life easier while other strategies (like pelvic floor therapy or surgery) are considered.
The forgotten pessary — why it happens (and why it matters)
Because a correctly fitted pessary can feel unnoticeable, it’s easy to assume “all is well” and to skip checks. That’s understandable but it’s also when small problems can quietly develop, such as increased discharge, tissue irritation, or rarely, ulcers or infection if a device is left unchecked for long periods. Regular care prevents these problems and keeps your pessary working as intended.
Practical care — keeping your pessary safe when life gets busy
Clinic-managed vs self-managed
- Clinic-managed: If your clinician manages your pessary, most services check and change pessaries every 3–6 months, depending on the pessary type and your individual needs. These appointments allow a clinician to examine vaginal tissue and check for irritation or other issues.
- Self-managed: Some women can remove, clean and reinsert their ring or cube pessary themselves. If you self-manage, clinicians commonly recommend cleaning and reinserting every 1–2 weeks (some devices or personal plans require daily removal). Your clinician will tell you the best schedule for your pessary type.
A simple at-a-glance checklist
- Put a reminder in your phone/calendar for your scheduled clinic check.
- If you self-manage, remember to remove, wash with mild soap and warm water, dry, and re-insert on your schedule (clinician will advise frequency).
- Know what problems to watch for and contact your clinician promptly if you notice:
- New or heavy vaginal bleeding.
- Increasing or foul-smelling discharge.
- Pain or discomfort that wasn’t there before.
- Trouble passing urine or new urinary symptoms.
- You can’t re-insert a pessary that has fallen out.
These signs may indicate irritation, infection or tissue changes that need assessment. Prompt review prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems.
Can a physiotherapist help with pessaries?
Pessary fitting and review are commonly provided in specialised clinics by trained clinicians. This can include gynaecologists, nurse-led pessary services, GPs and specifically trained women’s health physiotherapists. A trained physiotherapist (such as Active Women’s Health physiotherapists) can assess pelvic support, fit certain pessaries, teach self-management if appropriate, and provide ongoing pelvic floor care alongside pessary use.
How Active Women’s Health can support you
At Active Women’s Health (Highgate Hill) our women’s health physiotherapists provide a calm, private assessment to talk through pessary options and a plan that suits your life. That can include:
- A clinical assessment of pelvic support and symptoms.
- Discussion of pessary options, pros/cons and realistic expectations.
- Fitting and sizing, or referral to a pessary clinic if your case needs specialist gynaecology input.
- Practical training if you want to self-manage, and scheduled reviews to keep your pessary safe.
If it’s time for your check, or you’ve been putting it off because life is hectic, call us. A short appointment can prevent bigger problems later.
Final note — your pessary won’t remind you. We can.
If your pessary has been comfortable and you’ve put off your check because life’s busy — you’re not alone. A short appointment or a few minutes to clean and re-insert can save you time and worry later. If you want help or a reminder, Active Women’s Health is here. We fit, review and support pessary users with evidence-based care and practical tips so you can get on with life.
Important: This information is general in nature and does not replace personalised clinical advice. If you have urgent symptoms (heavy bleeding, severe pain, inability to pass urine) seek immediate care.
