No, Toronto Pessary Clinic is a private clinic and therefore is not covered under OHIP. 

We do not directly bill insurance companies. However, you will be given a receipt with all of the information needed to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. The appointment itself will be billed under “physiotherapy”.

The cost of the pessary may be claimed under “braces” or “medical device”, depending on your insurance coverage.

No, you do not need a doctor’s referral to book an initial assessment. However, your doctor will have to do a vaginal exam and write a prescription for a pessary before you can take your pessary home. Therefore, if you see your doctor before your initial appointment, be sure your doctor completes the physician clearance form and bring it with you to your initial assessment with us. If you haven’t seen your doctor first, no problem! We will still trial several pessaries and determine the correct size and shape for you. Then you will make an appointment with your doctor for a vaginal exam, have the form completed, and have your doctor write a prescription for a pessary. At that point, you can pick up your pessary from our clinic!

Absolutely! We will assess the function of your pelvic floor muscles and the position of your pelvic organs. From there we can discuss if you would be a good candidate for a pessary.

Yes. There are specific pessaries designed for stress urinary incontinence, which is leaking urine with activities such as coughing, sneezing, or jogging. Your physiotherapist will fit you with the correct pessary for your symptoms. 

Approximately 4 weeks after your initial assessment, we will see you for your first follow-up appointment, where the size and fit of the pessary will be confirmed and your tissue will be checked for any evidence of irritation. After this appointment, we will then see you 3 and 6 months later, and then once annually for life-long success of pessary use.

This depends on each individual’s situation. A plan for removal, cleaning, and reinsertion will be created by you and your physiotherapist based on the type of pessary that is best suited for you, the intended use of the pessary, and your overall health. 

Simply remove the pessary and run under warm water to dislodge any secretions. You can use a mild soap, making sure to rinse thoroughly. Then reinsert according to your physiotherapist’s instructions or store in a clean, dry place until next use. 

Using a pessary and tampon at the same time is not usually effective and therefore not recommended. 

This depends on the shape of pessary that you have; some may be left in and others must be removed. Your physiotherapist will let you know if your pessary needs to be removed for penetrative sex.

It could be that the pessary is the wrong shape or size for you. Book a follow-up appointment with your physiotherapist to discuss and perhaps trial a different size and/or shape. 

No, you can insert the pessary only for those times that you experience symptoms. Think of it like a sports bra for the pelvic organs and use when you need a little extra support.

If you can easily reposition the pessary by pushing it back up, and it stays, this may be all that is needed. However, if it continually slips down and you can feel it, book a follow-up appointment with your physiotherapist as you may require a larger size or different kind of pessary. 

When the pessary is fitted correctly and sitting in the right position, you should not feel it, similar to a tampon. If you do feel it, see your physiotherapist for re-assessment. 

You may be able to use a pessary, but this will be up to your OBGYN; we require a letter from them stating they are recommending this.

The manufacturers of pessaries suggest that a pessary is replaced with a new one once a year. Over time, it may become discolored; this is OK. However, if you notice tiny cracks in the material or if it has become deformed, it is time to have it replaced.