Is a Pessary for Incontinence the Right Solution for You?
*Sneeze* “Bless you!”
Now, imagine every time you sneezed, you leaked a little. Or, you have a bad cold and every coughing fit leads to the inevitable dribble. No woman should have to worry about whether or not she’ll leak on a daily basis. Experiencing involuntary urination means dealing with constant fear and embarrassment of the unexpected. Without the assurance of protection and treatment, these feelings are hard pressed to subside.
Thankfully, there are many treatment options for women depending on the type and length of incontinence they’re experiencing. We break it down for you in this helpful visual on involuntary urination.
Treatment options vary from changing one’s behavior to pelvic floor exercises to a medical device like a pessary. While you should always consult your doctor to determine the best treatment for you, a pessary may be a consideration if you experience stress incontinence.
What is Stress Incontinence?
You might be a sufferer of stress incontinence if you experience leaks when laughing, coughing, sneezing or leaking from any type of activity that may “stress out” your bladder. Stress incontinence is the most common form of involuntary urination found in women. Stress incontinence is primarily a result of the loss of strength in a woman’s pelvic floor muscles. The factors below may contribute to the weakening of one’s muscles:
- Childbirth
- Illness with coughing or sneezing
- Obesity
- High-impact physical activities
- Age
What is a Pessary for Stress Incontinence?
A pessary for stress incontinence is a medical device that is designed to support a woman’s pelvic floor. It is inserted into the vagina to apply pressure against the inner vaginal wall while also applying pressure to the urethra. Not only is a pessary a solution for women with a pelvic prolapse, it can also be an option for preventing unwanted urinary leakage.
It works by cutting off the flow of urine to help one with bladder control. A woman is often fitted for a pessary by her doctor who will work with her to determine the size and shape that works best for not only preventing leaks but providing comfort.
Is a Pessary the Right Solution for You?
If you experience stress incontinence and think a pessary for incontinence could be a solution for you, reach out to the Kaldas Center. Tell us about your symptoms and we’ll work with you to determine if a pessary is the right option for you. If a pessary is not the right solution for you, the Kaldas Center offers surgical options as well. Call us at 920-886-2299 or visit KaldasCenter.com/contact.
Sources:
https://kaldascenter.com/involuntary-urination-infographic/
https://kaldascenter.com/understanding-pelvic-floor-disorders/
https://simonfoundation.org/pessary-urinary-incontinence/
https://kaldascenter.com/symptoms/incontinence/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20355727
