A pessary is a medical-grade silicone device—usually a ring, disc, or plug—inserted into the vagina (similar to a tampon or menstrual cup) to help support the pelvic organs. It’s a non-surgical tool used to manage pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and it can be fitted by OB/GYNs, nurse practitioners, and specially trained pelvic health physiotherapists.
We have a core group of pelvic health physiotherapists who are trained in pessary fittings and provide a supportive, informative environment to ensure it meets your unique anatomy, symptoms, and lifestyle.
Why Might You Benefit From a Pessary?
Pelvic health physiotherapists may utilize pessaries as part of conservative management for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) – when organs like the bladder, uterus, or rectum descend into the vaginal space.
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) – when leakage occurs during physical activities like coughing, sneezing, running, or lifting.
For POP, the pessary acts like a supportive sling inside the vaginal canal to keep organs in place and relieve the sensation of heaviness or pressure. For SUI, a pessary can apply gentle pressure to the urethra, helping to reduce or prevent leakage—especially when used alongside pelvic floor physiotherapy.
What to Expect at Your Fitting Appointment
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Assessment
Your appointment will begin with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, goals, activity level, and relevant medical history (including previous treatments or surgeries). We’ll also discuss your preferences around pessary use.
This is followed by a physical assessment, which may include:
- An external check of posture, breathing, and core control
- A gentle internal pelvic exam to assess muscle function, tissue health, and organ support
This information guides us in selecting the most appropriate pessary shape and size for you.
Step 2: Pessary Selection & Fitting
Once we have a clear understanding of your anatomy and needs, your physiotherapist will:
- Choose a pessary that fits your anatomy and symptoms
- Lubricate and gently insert the pessary
- Assess placement and initial comfort
You may feel light pressure—similar to wearing a tampon—but it should not be painful. If the fit is off, we’ll try a different size or shape. It’s common to go through a few options before landing on the right one.
Step 3: Movement & Fit Check
To ensure the pessary stays in place and remains comfortable:
- You’ll be asked to stand, walk, and do light movements
- You’ll likely be asked to empty your bladder to ensure there’s no obstruction
- We’ll check for retention, support, and comfort
Your feedback is essential here—a properly fitted pessary should feel like it’s not even there.
Step 4: Pessary Use & Care Education
Once fitted, we’ll guide you through:
- Inserting and removing the pessary independently
- Cleaning routines (usually with mild soap and water)
- Deciding if a removal string is helpful for you
- Knowing when to remove and how frequently to clean the pessary (this varies by type)
We’ll ensure you feel confident managing the pessary at home. If insertion or removal seems daunting at first, we’ll work with you until it feels manageable.
Step 5: Follow-Up and Monitoring
We’ll schedule a follow-up to reassess fit, function, and comfort. During this visit, we may:
- Adjust the size or type of pessary if needed
- Discuss any new symptoms or challenges
- Answer your ongoing questions
How Long Will the Appointment Take?
Your fitting appointment at Bump is 75 minutes long. This allows time for a full assessment, pessary fitting, education, and initial movement testing.
A well-fitted pessary can provide life-changing symptom relief without surgery. If you’re navigating POP or SUI and looking for conservative, evidence-based options, a pessary might be an ideal fit for you.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments—or if you’re curious about whether a pessary could help you, we’re happy to chat. Just say the word!
Please follow us along on our socials @bumpphysio.co keep updated on all that is going on and for more information about how the Bump Community can help YOU!
~The Bump Team
Bump Physio & Co. is a welcoming community of healthcare providers committed to transforming the way we approach pelvic health & other ‘socially taboo’ conditions. With clinics in New Westminster, Port Moody, and Langley, BC, we offer a range of services including pelvic health, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy (RMT), kinesiology, and clinical counselling. Our team is specially trained in Pelvic Health, Orthopedics, Obstetrics, Clinical Pilates, and Active Rehabilitation, providing personalized care to support you in all stages and phases of life.