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Private Ring Pessary Fitting for Pelvic Organ Prolapse In essex

Ring Pessary Fitting for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Ring Pessary Fitting for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition where one or more of the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, womb or bowel, drops down and bulges into the vagina. This can happen when the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues become weakened, often after childbirth, around or after the menopause, with ageing, constipation, chronic coughing, heavy lifting or a combination of factors.

For some women, prolapse causes very few symptoms. For others, it can lead to a feeling of heaviness, dragging, pressure, a bulge in the vagina, discomfort with exercise, bladder or bowel symptoms, or reduced confidence with daily activities and intimacy. Prolapse is not usually dangerous, but it can have a significant impact on quality of life.

At Essex Private Doctors, we offer assessment and fitting of ring pessaries for women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Woman lying comfortably on a yoga mat performing Kegel exercises, with a relaxed posture and bent knees, focusing on strengthening her pelvic floor muscles in a calm indoor setting.

What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

Ring pessaries are used a way of managing the symptoms of prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition where one or more of the pelvic organs, such as the bladder, womb or bowel, drops down and bulges into the vagina. This can happen when the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues become weakened, often after childbirth, around or after the menopause, with ageing, constipation, chronic coughing, heavy lifting or a combination of factors.

For some women, prolapse causes very few symptoms. For others, it can lead to a feeling of heaviness, dragging, pressure, a bulge in the vagina, discomfort with exercise, bladder or bowel symptoms, or reduced confidence with daily activities and intimacy. Prolapse is not usually dangerous, but it can have a significant impact on quality of life.

At Essex Private Doctors, we offer assessment and fitting of ring pessaries.

What is a Ring Pessary?

A ring pessary is a soft, flexible medical device that is inserted into the vagina to help support the vaginal walls and pelvic organs.
Ring pessaries are one of the most commonly used types of pessary for prolapse.

A pessary can be particularly helpful if you are not ready for surgery, are not suitable for surgery, are awaiting a gynaecology opinion, or would like to try a conservative treatment first. Pessaries are recognised as an effective non-surgical treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse. They can:

  • Reduce the feeling of vaginal heaviness, dragging or pressure

  • Support a vaginal bulge caused by prolapse

  • Improve comfort during walking, standing or exercise

  • Help some bladder symptoms linked with prolapse

  • Provide a non-surgical option for symptom relief

  • Support women who are considering or trying to avoid surgery

Soft and flexible ring pessary being folded prior to insertion for pelvic organ prolapse
Woman speaking with a healthcare professional about ring pessaries, seated in a clinical setting and engaged in discussion about treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence.

What happens at a ring pessary fitting appointment?

Your appointment will begin with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, medical history, previous pregnancies and births, menopause status, bladder and bowel symptoms, and how the prolapse is affecting your daily life.

A vaginal examination is then carried out to assess the type and degree of prolapse and to check which size of pessary may be most suitable. A ring pessary is then inserted into the vagina. You should not be able to feel it once it is correctly positioned.

You may be asked to stand, walk around, cough, bear down or empty your bladder to check that the pessary remains comfortable, stays in place and does not affect your ability to pass urine.

A ring pessary fitting should not be painful, although you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort during insertion and removal. We will always explain what we are doing and go at your pace. Your comfort, dignity and consent are central throughout the appointment.

Finding the right size can sometimes take more than one attempt. Pessary fitting can involve some trial and error, and occasionally different sizes or types may need to be tried before the best fit is found.

It’s normal to notice a slight feeling of pressure or a sensation similar to wearing a tampon for the first few days while your body adjusts. You shouldn’t experience any sharp, scratching, or persistent aching discomfort. If you do, contact your doctor, as the device may need to be checked, adjusted, or replaced with a different size.

If you are postmenopausal or have vaginal dryness or soreness, we may discuss vaginal oestrogen treatment, which can help improve vaginal tissue comfort and may make pessary use easier.

After your pessary has been fitted, we will give you advice about what to expect, possible side effects and when to seek help.

You will need follow-up appointment every 3-6 months to check, clean or change the pessary.

You should seek medical advice if you experience pain, bleeding, offensive discharge, difficulty passing urine, the pessary falling out repeatedly, or if it becomes uncomfortable.

Even if a pessary is successfully fitted, some women may experience vaginal bleeding or discomfort because of thin tissues, and although we can usually overcome this with topical oestrogen, it sometimes leads to our advising against further use of a ring pessary.

Other treatment options for prolapse:

  • Women’s health physiotherapy
    A ring pessary is only one option. The right treatment depends on your symptoms, the type and severity of prolapse, your general health, your lifestyle, your preferences and whether you are sexually active or considering future pregnancy.

    Specialist women’s health physiotherapy can be very helpful for prolapse symptoms. Pelvic floor muscle training may not completely reverse a prolapse, but it can improve symptoms and help support the pelvic organs. Many women benefit from a course of treatment with a specialist women’s health physiotherapist.

  • Lifestyle measures
    Some women benefit from addressing factors that place extra pressure on the pelvic floor, such as constipation, chronic cough, high-impact exercise, heavy lifting or weight management where relevant. These changes can help reduce worsening of symptoms.

  • Vaginal oestrogen
    For postmenopausal women, vaginal oestrogen may be recommended if vaginal dryness, irritation or tissue thinning is contributing to discomfort. This can be used alongside a pessary where appropriate.

  • Gynaecology or urogynaecology referral
    Some women need referral to a gynaecologist or urogynaecologist, especially if symptoms are severe, if conservative options have not helped, if there are complex bladder or bowel symptoms, or if surgery may be considered. We can advise you on whether referral is appropriate and help guide the next steps. We have good links with excellent local gynaecologists who can help.

Collection of ring pessaries in different sizes arranged side by side on a clinical surface, illustrating the range of diameters available to accommodate individual patient needs for pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence management.
Smiling older woman with short grey hair holding a rolled yoga mat outdoors. She is wearing a light grey T-shirt and standing in front of a softly blurred garden background, appearing active, healthy, and confident.

Is a ring pessary right for me?

A ring pessary may be worth considering if you have symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and would like a non-surgical treatment option. It can be used short term, long term, while waiting for specialist care, or alongside other treatments such as pelvic physiotherapy.

At Essex Private Doctors, we offer a sensitive, personalised assessment and will talk you through the options so you can make an informed decision about your care.If you are experiencing symptoms of prolapse, such as vaginal heaviness, dragging, pressure or a bulge, you do not have to simply put up with it.

Book an appointment with Essex Private Doctors to discuss whether a ring pessary or another treatment option may be suitable for you.

Dr Sara Luck MBBS MRCGP DRCOG BSc