Pessaries are devices that are inserted into the vagina to support the uterus and bladder which may become weakened and sag downwards, thus leading to incontinence. Pessaries will only help stress incontinence, or inontinence that results from a stress placed on the bladder, which often occurs when a person coughs, sneezes, lifts a heavy object, exercises, or laughs. They do not help in cases of urge or overflow incontinence bacause these types of incontinence result from different physiological processes.

Pessaries come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and must be fitted by a physician in order to work effectively. At one time, pessaries were one of the only options open to women who suffered from incontinence. Although they are used less frequently than they used to be, they are still useful for women who do not wish to take medications or are unable to, or for those women who want to avoid surgery.

Pessaries are not permanent devices, a fact which makes them popular with some women. They need to be removed periodically to be cleaned. Some women take them out and clean them themselves, while others prefer that their doctor or a nurse performs this procedure for them. You may need to be checked more frequently in the beginning to make sure the pessary is fitting properly. A small percentage of women will find that their incontinence is worsened following insertion of a pessary, smply because their organs are brought back into proper alignment. If you suffer from stress urinary incontinence, a pessary may be an option for you.