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Support for Prolapse and Pelvic Floor Symptoms—without Surgery
A pessary is a small, medical-grade device inserted into the vagina to provide support for pelvic organs, helping to reduce symptoms such as heaviness, discomfort, or bladder issues.
At Handforth Physiotherapy & Rehab, we offer specialist pessary fitting and management in a private, respectful setting—giving you a practical, non-surgical option to manage your symptoms and stay active.
What Is a Pessary?
A pessary is designed to support the vaginal walls and pelvic organs, helping to relieve symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse, such as:
- Vaginal heaviness or a dragging sensation
- Bladder leakage or urgency
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
It is a safe, evidence-based treatment option and can often be used long-term or as a bridge before considering other treatments.
Who Is It Suitable For?
Pessary fitting may be appropriate if you:
- Have symptoms of prolapse (bulging, heaviness, pressure), especially if you have symptoms during exercise or daily activity.
What to Expect From Your Appointment
Your appointment is carried out in a calm, private environment, with time to fully understand your symptoms and goals.
We will:
We will:
- Discuss your symptoms, lifestyle and preferences
- Carry out a pelvic health assessment (with your full consent)
- Select and fit the most appropriate pessary type and size
- Check comfort, positioning and effectiveness
- Ensure you feel confident before leaving
Types of Pessary
There are several types of pessary available, and the most suitable option will depend on your symptoms, anatomy, and lifestyle. Common types include:
- Ring pessary (with or without support) – which are often used first-line. Your clinician will guide you in choosing the most appropriate type for you.
- Space filling pessary – offering more supportive options such as Gellhorn, shelf, or cube pessaries
Follow-Up & Ongoing Care
Ongoing support is an important part of pessary use.
We will:
We will:
- Review comfort and effectiveness
- Make adjustments if needed
- Monitor vaginal health
- Support you alongside pelvic floor rehabilitation
- A check-in at 2 weeks, followed by a review at 4–6 weeks after the initial fitting to ensure the pessary is comfortable, effective, and the right fit for you.
- If your pessary is being managed by physio, a follow-up is required every 3 to 6 months
- If you would like to learn how to self-manage your pessary, a follow-up is recommended at 6 months, then annually thereafter.
Benefits of Pessary Use
- Immediate support and symptom relief
- Non-surgical and reversible
- Helps you stay active and exercise with confidence
- Can be used alongside physiotherapy treatment
- Flexible—can be temporary or long-term
Is It Uncomfortable?
Most women do not experience any discomfort, however any discomfort that you feel should be momentary and temporary
Are there any side effects?
A pessary is considered a low-risk medical device, but there are some potential side effects to be aware of. These can include an increase in vaginal discharge, and rarely, some bleeding. Some women who are menopausal may need to use local oestrogen cream to tolerate a pessary comfortably.
Pessaries aren’t suitable for everyone, but around 85% of women find them helpful and experience an improvement in their quality of life. For a small number of women, a pessary may not provide the desired effect.
Pessaries aren’t suitable for everyone, but around 85% of women find them helpful and experience an improvement in their quality of life. For a small number of women, a pessary may not provide the desired effect.
Why Choose Handforth Physiotherapy & Rehab?
- Specialist pelvic health expertise
- Discreet, private setting
- Personalised fitting—not rushed, not one-size-fits-all
- Combined physiotherapy approach (not just fitting and sending you away)
- Conveniently located in Handforth, serving Wilmslow, Cheadle, Heald Green and surrounding Cheshire areas
When Should You Book?
If you have not had physiotherapy before having a pessary fitted, we recommend an initial physiotherapy assessment first to see if the issue can be corrected by physiotherapy on its own
Consider booking if:
- You feel a heaviness or dragging sensation in the pelvis
- You’ve been diagnosed with prolapse
- You want a non-surgical option
- You want to return to exercise but feel limited by symptoms
- You have had previous physiotherapy and would like a pessary as a further management option.