Pessary Insertion

At Welbeck, pessary insertion treatment is carried out by our consultant gynaecologists. You’ll need to have a pelvic exam first, which allows your consultant to examine your vagina and pelvic organs closely, to help them pick the right pessary for you. 

You can expect the following with a pessary insertion:

1. Your consultant will ask you to lie back on the bed with your knees bent.

2. When you’re ready, they’ll gently insert the pessary into your vagina, using a lubricating gel so it slides in easily.

3. Once the pessary is in place, your consultant may ask you to stand, sit, cough, squat or perform other actions to make sure your pessary stays in the right position. 

How do I insert and remove a pessary at home?

Depending on which type of pessary you have fitted, you may be able to insert and remove it yourself. In this case, your consultant will show you how to do this, which will include the following instructions:

To insert a pessary yourself

1. Wash your hands and the pessary with soap and warm water. Rinse and dry the pessary thoroughly.

2. Lie down with your knees bent, or sit on the edge of a chair. 

3. Fold the pessary in half and gently insert it into your vagina, pushing it as far back as you can.

4. Let go of the ring so that it opens up into its normal shape.

5. Use your index finger to make sure the rim is behind your pubic bone. 

To remove a pessary yourself

1. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water.

2. Lie down with your knees bent, or sit on the edge of a chair. 

3. Insert your index finger into your vagina and find the rim of the pessary.

4. Hook your finger under the rim and bear down as if you were having a bowel movement.

5. Pull the pessary down and out.

If the type of pessary you have means that inserting and removing it yourself isn’t possible, you’ll need follow-up appointments with your consultant every 2 to 3 months.

Pessary insertion is a safe treatment with far fewer risks than pelvic floor surgery. Side effects can happen, especially if the pessary is too small or too big, but most are minimal and nothing to worry about. They may include:

• vaginal dryness and irritation

• an increase in white vaginal discharge – this is common

• a urinary tract infection (UTI)

• unusual vaginal discharge that smells bad – this may be a sign of an infection

• stress incontinence

• erosions or bleeding – a sign that your pessary is rubbing against your vaginal wall 

If you get any of these side effects after having a pessary fitted, your consultant will be on hand to help guide you. Switching to a different size or type of pessary is often all that’s needed to fix the problem, but in some cases, you may need antibiotics or a low dose of vaginal oestrogen.

There’s no specific preparation needed for pessary insertion, but in the 24 hours before your appointment, don’t use any products that you place inside your vagina, such as tampons, vaginal creams or medicines.

At the time of your procedure, you’ll need to remove any clothing and jewellery from the waist down. Wearing a dress or a skirt that you only need to lift up (instead of taking off) can feel less daunting.

Once you’ve been able to urinate successfully, you’ll be able to go home after your pessary has been fitted.

It’s common to go through multiple fittings of a pessary before you find the right type and fit for you – try not to feel frustrated or worried about it. If you notice any discomfort or side effects once you get home, book a follow-up consultation with your gynaecologist.

Please contact our Women’s Health centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a pessary insertion, you must be referred by either your GP or a gynaecologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a gynaecologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.