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Does anyone have any information on using a pessary for a cystocele?

By October 2, 2008 - 1:04pm
 
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(reply to Alison Beaver)

The first OB/Gyn Dr. I saw said I had a mild cystocele and didn't recommend anything. I went to a urogynecologist and he said the new robotic sacrocolpopexy was the way to go. He down played the use of a pessary. I told him of my fear of surgery due to previous complications from hysterectomy . At that time one of my ureters was severed and the Dr. didn't even know it. I became incontinent several weeks after the hysterectomy and had to have additional surgery by a urologist. Then an intestinal obstruction. I almost died. I would like to try anything first before having surgery. If only I could find a Dr. willing to fit me with a pessary. I read that someone used a large tampon and that helped. Any suggestions?

June 21, 2010 - 9:22am
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Anonymous (reply to dery)

I got a pessary about 2 months ago. I had a prolapsed uterus. Dr. recommended an Inflatoball type. as opposed to a ring type. I'm 69 and he said its a kinder gentler pessary as it doesn't cause abbrasions as much as other types. At first, although weird ( it has a tube that hangs out of your vagina, and having to pump it up with a little pump apperatus...ick) BUT I really tried to make it work. At first it seemed to do the job, but now I'm having trouble with my BLADDER now coming out of my vagina inspite of the pessary in place... I went back to doc and he said my bladder is "spilling " over ( whatever that means) now I feel just as bad as whenI started this journey. He did not give a suggestion (?) I WILL NOT do surgery and am willing to keep trying but I think my doc just doesn't want to bother with it. He's using the surgery word a lot. I KNOW I can make this work and I've even talked to Naturepath doctors and it really seems like such a fixable problem. As miserable as this is. I cant give up and that probably means changing doctors OR do it the home remedy way with BIG or double tampons. I really can't believe that in 2017 this is all that's offered besides horrible surgery. Seriously try everything short of irreversible surgery.

January 19, 2017 - 1:43am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to dery)

I paid a lot of money to find out that a pessary is just a thick, rubber diaphragm with holes in it. If you've ever had a diaphragm, you'll probably need the same size pessary. I did. You can buy different kinds of pessaries online and put one in and take it out yourself. Nurses can do it, too, not just doctors. There's a blog on this site that gives info on types of pessaries and another one with suggestions on insertion and removal. With some research, you can probably get a pessary. Tampons probably aren't a good idea. Good luck! I know that even a "mild" cystocele can be a real pain!

January 27, 2013 - 5:21am
(reply to dery)

Hi Dery

Pessaries are still in use and if you would rather try that first, your physician should be willing to fit your or give you a good, detailed explanation as to why it is not going to be safe or effective for you.

I found a couple of links for you. There are more, but these seemed good and current. The first is a patient education pamphlet from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp012.cfm.

The next is an article from the American Family Physician journal called Practical Use of the Pessary: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000501/2719.html.

I suggest you take this information back to the doctor and ask why exactly he feels you should not try a pessary before surgical intervention. If there is no danger to you in doing so and it's just his preference, push for what you want and if it means seeing a different physician, I suggest that you do so.

Thank you for the question and please let us know how it goes.

June 21, 2010 - 2:59pm
(reply to Cary Cook BSN RN)

Sorry to take so long in replying. I have had great success using a pessary. I went to a urologist and was fitted. I was instructed on putting it in and taking it out and the care needed. Now I go once a year for it to be checked. I am 82 yrs. old and I am very active. I line dance two hours a week and walk a lot. I discussed the use of a pessary with my internist and he agreed with me about talking to a urologist. I have known women who have had surgery for the cystocele and in a few years they have to have it again. I did have a hysterectomy 33 yrs. ago. I know all women are not the same but I think some doctors are too quick to operate. There are many factors to consider.

June 12, 2011 - 7:33am
(reply to Alison Beaver)

I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago for a uterine prolapse and now the cystocele , which was diagnosed then, is becoming pretty severe. I was told by a few physicians that a pessary may not work because I had a hysterectomy. Is this true ? Are there any pessaries that would be more effective than others for women who have had hysterectomy? I have tried estrogen creme for the past year and it provides only minimal support.

November 23, 2009 - 4:35am
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger (reply to msjanenow)

Ms Jane - That's a good question. Web MD agrees with the physicians you've talked with, and provided the following information:

A pessary may not be a good choice after having a hysterectomy. This is because the walls of the vagina are no longer held in place by the uterus and cervix. Women with severe prolapse following a hysterectomy may have difficulty keeping the pessary in place.

Have you asked about any other options? There may be other solutions for you, depending on your general health, age, the severity of your symptoms, personal preferences and other factors. I would encourage you to talk to your healthcare practitioner about additional treatment options. We'd be happy to assist you with research about those options once they're been identified and work with you to obtain greater support. Thanks for writing! Pat

November 25, 2009 - 6:23pm
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