Women's experiences with vaginal pessary use

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Women's Health
• Pelvic Floor Disorders

Background:

• Vaginal pessaries offer a non-surgical treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
• Pessary use involves individual physical, psychological, and emotional considerations for women.
• Understanding women's lived experiences with pessaries is crucial for effective care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of women using vaginal pessaries.
• To understand the impact of pessary use on women's daily lives and well-being.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing narrative inquiry.
• Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews conducted with 11 postmenopausal women.
• Participants accessed services from a Urogynecology Clinic in Eastern Canada in 2007.

Main Results:

• Pessary use was described as a life-changing and continuous learning experience.
• Women's comfort and confidence in managing the pessary were key factors.
• Psychosocial support from clinic nurses played a vital role in women's experiences.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers and patients should recognize the social and emotional implications of UI and pessary use.
• Appropriate support can empower women using pessaries to maintain active and social lives.
• Addressing personal isolation and embarrassment associated with UI is essential for successful pessary management.