Do you have a ring pessary ?

I was sent to gynae outpatients about 20 years ago because of a prolapse. I was offered a hysterectomy, but because I am really hospital phobic I refused, so was given a ring pessary.
It worked fine for a long time. I had regular checks when the pessary would be changed, and was quite happy until quite recently. I had a bad cough and the pessary shot out!😳
My prolapse has worsened now and the pessary is no longer suitable. I’m psyching myself up for that hysterectomy- how I wish I could have found the courage to have it done in the first place!

Thanks FannyD
No mention of an op because she said it was only mild , but I'd rather her get the sizing / fitting correct so that the blooming thing does as It's supposedly is there for !

I had a ring pessary for years. I have a bladder prolapse now, went along to my 6 monthly appointment with the lovely Uro-gyno nurse and she suggested a Gelhorn pessary. Fitted one and seems to be holding everything up! She made me appointment for some physio too.

I was never offered a pessary. I had a prolapsed bladder. I was told I could have the prolapse repaired and a hysterectomy done at the same time. I was 63 and have never had any problems since. 3 days in hospital no pain, no discomfort. I would do it again if needed.

Hi Hellsbelles,
I had a ring pessary,several sizes were tried. They all fell out as I was driving home from the doctor. I had a gelhorn pessary which worked well for quite a few years. I had a bladder prolapse and they did a hysterectomy. I was ok for a couple of years but now I am much worse. The hysterectomy has made things worse. Hope a gelhorn pessary helps. Don’t believe them when they say you can’t take it out. I regularly did and washed it and put it back. Hope this helps.

I have a Falk pessary for prolapse ( not bladder) it’s been amazing. I take it out every couple of weeks to wash and sometimes leave it out for a couple of days. I could recommend this type.

I have a vaginal prolapse and so do three of my friends. I was going to have a pessary ring fitted until I was warned off them by my friends, They have had ulcers in the vagina, bleeding and pain so I decided to grin and bear it and not have one fitted.

I have had the prolapse for nearly 30 years and was told it was only mild and didn't need treatment but when I reached my late 70's it got worse, I think it was because of a two stone weight gain. I am now 81, but the only problem I do have is wanting to use the toilet more frequently and it has made me think twice about getting a bus for a long journey. I now use a small incontinence pad for when I do go on a bus, just in case, I sometimes think it is mind over matter, if I have something to take my mind off using the toilet I am okay but once I think about the toilet I need to go immediately. Weird or what. I am now on a diet, and itend to lose those two stones for summer.

I must have a weakness down below as I have had two Femeral hernia operations, I also have an Umbilical hernia which the hospital won't repair at my age as it is not causing me any problems apart from the lump sticking out of my tummy which I push back in and pull on my Spanx. Luckily it does not affect my lifestyle too much as long as there are toilets handy.

I have a ring pessary with support. Had tried lots of others that kept falling out or caused a discharge. This one had started to come out after having a severe bout of diverticulitis and losing a lot of weight. Saw my doctor last week who said it's the right size and if it does fall down a bit to just push it back up. It doesn't come out completely. I have a prolapse support group if anyone is interested ,just send me a message

I had one for a few years, but hated it. If you are still sexually active they are not nice to have.I certainly would not have been able to take mine out myself, Some doctors found it challenging, and there were only 2 doctors at our surgery who were qualified to fit and re-place. It is rather uncomfortable to have it fitted too as they have to fit quite tightly. I had a hysterectomy in the end which has been a god send for me.

When I was a GP I used to fit them. Not everyone is the right shape for them! When they do fit they work really well for a time.

I've had a ring pessary for about 7 years now. It only took 2 attempts to find the correct size. I change it every 6 months (do it myself rather than another gp visit) and have no problem with it at all. I don't feel it when it's in the right place and I'm still sexually active with no problems there either

I’ve had one for three years. Tried a couple for size and obviously have the right one now as I never feel it. I see the practice nurse every six months and she changes it - no problems at all.

Can I ask fit they fit high up and if I was trying to explain the correct fit like a polo mint sat flat on the table but high up out of the way in the vagina ?
On the two fittings I've had they end up in me like a polo mint on its side and half poking out !

I’ve had one fitted ten years ….my doctor said there were 4 or 5 different sizes and she examined me first and said “ 2nd smallest “
She then fitted the ring ( I find it quite painful but over so quickly)…then she asked me to stand , squat , bend. She said this was to test if it was a good fit ….she asked if I could feel it in place ( I couldn’t).
She prescribed Vagifem ( hormone) which I have to insert twice weekly , then asked me to come to gave it removed and replaced every 4-6 months …which I do .
The ring has changed my life in a positive way ….i just have to grit my teeth and bear it every six months .its all over in 5 minutes.

I need to buy annual travel insurance for a couple with controlled medical conditions ,any recommendations for reasonable priced policies

Previous hysterectomy which laterly caused vault to prolapse.
Previosly used Gelhorn pessary which caused bowel obstruction, vomiting and nausea. Purchased expensive 'space occupying pessaries', i.e. cube pessary that fell out also an Inflatoball which is made of latex rubber and needs to be removed, washed and left out at night, this worked if I wanted to go out for day, but I was concerned about the risk of infection and toxic shock with this material. Also purchased a strong-rimmed menstrual cup in desperation but when I tried to remove it suction almost turned my innards inside out.
It seems that some 'space occupying pessaries' are not available on the NHS but I read that two ring pessaries worn at the same time can stay put, currently using size 53mm [small] and 56mm and they don't fall out. I used to remove them daily to clean but have been advised they can stay in much longer. Occsionally use oestrogen cream prescribed to strengthen internal walls and prevent ulceration. I always book GP appointment for pessary change and a 6 monthly examination.
I don't understand why this topic isn't publicised more widely by the NHS and others. So many women suffer quietly with the condition which affects their lifestyle greatly. I had to do a lot of research to find a solution that worked for me.
Have been offered an abdominal sacrocolpopexy with mesh in February but terrified of surgery failing and complications at my age. I may regret not having the operation in time to come however, there are a lot of women who have regretted having the mesh operation and faced further surgery to remove some of the mesh that has eroded or become embedded in other internal organs. I hope you find a suitable solution Hellsbelles but it is very much a trial and error situation. Best wishes

I had a mild rectocele and when I was first diagnosed I was so upset thinking I would need an operation or a ring pessary. I did lots of reading and both sounded problematic in one way or another. I got the Sqeezy app and started doing the exercises, at first I wasn’t convinced it would work but I was so determined to avoid other treatments I persevered. After a week or two I stopped feeling the prolapse - it felt like a tampon had slipped down - and that was about 8 years ago. I do the exercises every day, the app is great at reminding you. Sometimes I feel the prolapse, for example after a cough that lasts for a few days but I just do more of the exercises. I’m happy to do keep doing them as long as they are effective.

Dr. Ash Monga, Southampton,excellent prolapse specialist surgeon with kind, caring bedside manner. I went private. You can get in touch with me for details.

onedayatatime

Thank for the suggestion but a bit far for me.

An appointment with a PFPT would be a good idea for you. A mild prolapse should respond well to exercises.

I had an appointment with a Gynaecologist earlier this week after waiting 14 months for the appointment !! We had a good chat and she suggested that I have a ring pessary fitted and see how that works. I am going to get an appointment within 2 weeks to go and have this done at the hospital (could have had it done at the GP's but my GP is still living in Covid times and very hard to get through to)
So I await with bated breath to see if it works, hope so, because I think the other option is to have an operation.
Thank you all for your posts, I think I know what to expect now, hopefully a pessary that stays in and behaves itself !!

My mother developed a severe prolapse declined an operation when in her 80s. She is now on her way to becoming 104. I take her to gynaecology outpatients on average around 5/6 months. If it comes out before then I call n they try to fit her in. The gynae nurses assess when that happens and try a different size. The nurses call it a rink and gel horn. I’m sorry you have had problems with yours but the senior nurses at gynae are excellent. Hope you get it sorted

rosieodl I am interested in your prolapse group. Can you give me details please?
There is one on Facebook but people are not always in this country so different practices.