Stress Urinary Incontinence
What is it? Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as urinary leakage that occurs with sudden pressure on the urethra/bladder from movement or activity such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, standing…
Rectocele versus Rectal Prolapse
Rectocele. Rectal prolapse. The same thing? I often see these two terms used interchangeably, but they refer to two different conditions. The rectum refers to the lowest 12-15 centimetres of…
Pessaries and Pelvic Floor Muscles
Today we are going to discuss common questions regarding pessary use and pelvic floor muscles. A question I am often asked by clients and fellow physiotherapists alike is, “Can I…
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
What is it? Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is when any of the pelvic organs- the bladder, urethra, uterus, vagina, rectum, or small intestine- sit lower than normal due to tissue…
Instances When a Pessary May Not Work
Use of a pessary can be life changing for the better when it fits well and does what it's supposed to. Studies have shown that as many as 90% of…
What are My Responsibilities as a Pessary User?
You’ve been fitted for a pessary at your initial physiotherapy appointment, taught how and when to remove and reinsert it at your follow-up appointment, and your tissues have been checked…
How do I Know if my Pessary is Working?
When trialing pessaries, women sometimes ask, “How do I know if the pessary is working?”. Pessaries do not directly fix prolapses or the mechanical breakdown behind stress urinary incontinence; rather,…
What is a Pessary?
History of Pessaries Did you know the use of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse dates back to the days of Hippocrates?! The use of pessaries was even documented in early…