ring pessary not 100% working

[KoKo30]

Hi

Its so reassuring to read the posts, nobody in the "real" world talks about these things. I had a ring pessary fitted 10 days ago. After 2 days the prolapse comes down but only a little. It is 80% better than before so that is good, but not a "cure" . I was told I could ring if I was having trouble, otherwise I go back in 4 months. I would love any advice on if I should ring and ask for an urgent appointment or whether to live with it until October. they did say it could take 2 or 3 tries to the right size.

[bantam12]

If it's not working no point in suffering for months, go back and try a different size or design.

[KoKo30 in reply to bantam12]

thank you- think that's what I needed to hear but not convinced another size is the answer, hope it is

[Donnay in reply to KoKo30]

I have a a pink milex ring with support and it 20x better than the white ring I had first..... the original one kept coming down

[KoKo30 in reply to Donnay]

thank you for info

[Equant in reply to Donnay]

Hi Donnay Are you in the UK? Was the pessary fitted by yourGP?

[young-at-heart48]

I have had a pessary for 10 years, but it took a few goes to get it right. The one I have now does the job well. Good luck.

[Poppycat999 in reply to young-at-heart48]

Hi I'm new to ring pessaries l have a 64mm ring with support. Can you tell me your experiences with them please?

[young-at-heart48 in reply to Poppycat999]

Hi I had a 68mm ring which kept falling down and was not doing the job. I also had a discharge, so it was recommended I had a silicone ring. Not sure of the size, but is a wider diameter, not so thick. This is removed every 6 months, and reinserted, I have been told it should last for about 10 years. The discharge is much better, and it does the job almost 100% , very comfortable, and stays in place.

[jmdb]

Do go and get it checked. I’m on my third one now and it’s working well. I was also warned it was trial and error to get the right fit. Good luck!

[Poppycat999 in reply to jmdb]

Hi please can you tell me your ring pessary experiences I'm new to it. Mines 64mm with support I'm 59. What size do you now have?

[Poppycat999 in reply to jmdb]

Fo you have sex with it in?

[Poppycat999]

What ring size do you have and does it have a support middle? I have 64mm with support. I am 59. Menopause last year.I would be interested in experience of other ladies on their ring pessaries.

I cant imagine sex with it so please can ladies tell me if they keep it in or take it out? It doesn't feel all that far in to me.

Mines come out twice once straining for a bowel movement. It's better with it than without though.

Please ladies tell about your experiences as it's not something that's easy to find out about.

[Donnay in reply to Poppycat999]

I take one capsule of dulcoease at night which is a stool softener and I have all bran for fibre for breakfast! When I go to the toilet my physiotherapist recommended I fold some toilet paper and use it to support the area between my vagina a anus this stops the pessary coming down

[Poppycat999 in reply to Donnay]

Thankyou for your reply l sometimes do the support thing with the loo roll too! If l eat bloody sensibly which I'm actually sick of. I'm fine. Anything lovely to eat and l pay for it on the loo! Its not really worth it! Still it makes us all eat boringly healthy! If you google the packaging on the pessary rings you can usually fine them. Mines on an American site for about 35 dollars. You can just put a tape measure across the diameter and that's the ring size in mm. Its lovely to talk to others on this site l felt so alone and basically done for. This is apparently a common problem for us ladies l dont cry much now because of all the ladies on this site. Thankyou and please keep in touch

[Keys2theworld in reply to Poppycat999]

I imagined sex would be that the penis would go through the hole in the middle of the ring.......Ahem. Well it doesn't, it goes around the side of it. I don't take mine out, ever, but I know some people can and do. As my GP said to me when I said I'd be frightened I'd put it back in the wrong place, there's only one place it can go ! But you're right, it's not a commonly discussed subject at all. I have a really good friend that I can confide in and laugh about it with.

I also do what Donnay, below, suggested. That is using the toilet paper and supporting the area when I'm a bit constipated.

I'm also using towels for urine leakage now. If I cough or sneeze, just like the adverts, then depending how full my bladder is it can soak through my trousers. Hence the towels. My GP just said it was stress incontinence and not to worry.

Hope all this helps. We are all different, and yet the same.

[Poppycat999 in reply to Keys2theworld]

I think l will have a go with hubby with sex with it. We are both scared to dislodge it plus it doesn't feel that far in to us. Mines got a support middle so I'm glad he will go to the side so to speak.I think we might remove it if it's a huge problem. I honestly haven't felt like it for a while though. My hubby has put it back in for me twice or so. Fell out trying to go for a poo(sorry). Googled putting it in online. Hes at a better angle to do it than me. It's easier for him to fold it too. Hes quite practical too 😂 Hes good at putting it back for me now. I dont think l could do it cant quite reach.

I'm quite proud of him. I would recommend you teach you husband to do it. It makes it a normal thing which it actually is.

Keep in touch talking helps me feel normal

[Poppycat999 in reply to Keys2theworld]

Trying to follow you on this site. I cant work out how.

[Pelvicblues]

Thought I'd share this link with you, it goes into great detail about the different types of pessaries and which are best for certain prolapses, plus how they should fit and be maintained. aafp.org/afp/2000/0501/p271...

[KoKo30 in reply to Pelvicblues]

thank you - a useful read

[BlueSkies12 in reply to Pelvicblues]

Thank you for this article. I wish I had read it before my visit to the specialist and then I would have asked the appropriate questions. I will go back and have everything checked and probably get a different size or sort. Even so i have to say what a blessing my pessary is. it is good to see people have had one for 10 years without resorting to operations.

[Poppycat999]

Hi yes I'm much better with my ring pessary not 100% probs 80% l think its important to eat sensible to not get constipated. If it's a ring pessary you can try different sizes. You shouldn't really feel it hardly at all if it's right. It shouldn't fall out alot or it's too small l think. I have to be careful as l have a retroverted uterus so l dont want it putting extra pressure on my bowels. I occasionally have discomfort but its when l need a bowel movement. I'm waiting to see a specialist l dont know what l would choose to have done as l dont want mesh surgery far to dangerous and apparently ive read it's still used but renamed as something else because its thinner mesh. It's a minefield.

[cassie1208]

Hi - going through ring pessary at mo - did you get the right size?First one keeps dropping out so I’ve given up. GP ordered size up but 2 weeks to get here so waiting bad dragging pains - wondered how many you tried before it was right and how are you now

Best wishes

[KoKo30 in reply to cassie1208]

Hi there. I am still on first one, it hasn't fallen out but is not doing its job completely so think I need another size. Haven't rung hospital yet as on good days there seems no point. Think I am lucky to be being seen at hospital as they have all sizes , feel for you having to wait 2 weeks in discomfort/pain. Good luck and let us know how you get on

[cassie1208 in reply to KoKo30]

Thanks fir reply and I hope we both get sorted soon, not sure if I’ve got the choice of GP or hospital, I’ll look in to that, just heard I may have new ring in time for my appt on Wednesday. When you say it’s not doing it’s job do you mean pain is still there or prolapse still there? My surgery is like a mini hospital,they should have all sizes I think to avoid me waiting. all of the rings in different sizes were in a box (packaged of course)but no organisation just hit and miss if one is found, hope the next one fits!It quite stressful but I suppose I will get used to it in time.

[Suzie42 in reply to cassie1208]

I have tried 6 and all have come out. The last 2 fitted can only be put in by specialist. The first one specialist fitted hurt, so he changed it for smaller one which was fine for 3 days then fell out whilst having bowel movement. It had suction with it so shouldn't have fell out. I'm on the list for surgery now 😥

[cassie1208 in reply to Suzie42]

Oh no 6 you must have been stressed when you had the fall out thinking all was well until bowel movement. I’m having 2nd on Wednesday but I’ve heard it’s trial and error - nurse says ring pessaries are just rings or have support - do you know which one is best? Thanks so much for replyI can just see me put on list for surgery but hope pessary works

How long is waiting list in UK?

Best wishes

.

[Suzie42 in reply to cassie1208]

The last one fitted was Gellhorn. I had it fitted privately, but as I need surgery have to go on nhs waiting list. I won't be seen until October and then will be put on surgery list which could be another 6 months. As I have serious lung problems I have to be under NHS as that is safer than private. Madness, but better safe than sorry. I hope all goes well with you.

[cassie1208 in reply to Suzie42]

Thanks for sharing and for you good wishes. I hope you manage well before your op. I would say that it’s a shock to to to the system as my prolapse came on suddenly ( May have been threatening for a few months though with no symptoms)With your lung problem too, do you have acceptance that you have have some sort of life before op or is your life on hold.

[Suzie42 in reply to cassie1208]

Yes I'm carrying on. I use kegel8 everyday which helps strengthen the muscles and that certainly helps. I push prolapse back about 3 times a day and I'm managing ok with that. I need to exercise for my lungs so I have no choice really and you do get used to the uncomfortable feeling

[Hifibar in reply to cassie1208]

Hi Cassie , I know your post was a while ago but reading it is similar with what I am going through . Did you ever get sorted with a pessary ? I would love to know how you got on

[cassie1208 in reply to Hifibar]

Hi thanks for writing. I got sorted about a year after feeling nervous before that- stick with your pessary - I hardly ever think about it now - moved in with life- swim few times a week. Diet important- any specifics let me know and I’ll help if I can.

[Hifibar in reply to cassie1208]

Oh thanks for the reply it was good to hear you are sorted . I will make another appointment and go for the 3rd time lucky !!! How many did you have before you got the right one ?

[Poppycat999]

Hi if its hurting you or down too low l would pull it out. If its just a bit too low l gently push mine upwards with one finger on the silicone edge till it feels more comfortable Get them to teach you how to put it in yourself next time. My husband is great at putting mine in for me I'm a bit scared to do it myself but hes at a better angle to put it in. I wouldn't want to go out for a day without my ring now. It's a shame this subject isnt talked about more as its apparently pretty common.

If you think you should contact them do so only you can decide but dont worry

[Spanielgirl]

Dear All , forget the pessary try a natural sea sponge, you take control of your own body, it works for me and others who have posted on a self help, no surgery programme.