A pessary is a small medical device that sits inside the vagina to support the pelvic organs. It is usually made of soft medical-grade silicone and can help relieve the feeling of heaviness, pressure, or bulging that comes with pelvic organ prolapse. It can also help reduce stress urinary incontinence for some people.¹
Ring-shaped pessaries are the most common, but there are several styles designed for different levels of support.² Finding the right one usually requires an in-person fitting because every body is different and prolapse can show up in many ways.
“When it fits well, a pessary can be comfortable enough that some people forget it is there.”³
Even though it feels like a modern solution, the pessary is one of the oldest tools in pelvic medicine. Ancient physicians described using objects to support prolapse long before silicone existed. Early versions were made from natural materials and later from brass or cork.⁴ Modern silicone pessaries became standard because they are safer, softer, and easier to tolerate.⁵
With all of this history and usefulness, you might expect pessaries to be widely discussed. In reality, they remain one of the most overlooked treatments in women’s health.
Why Pessaries Aren’t Talked About More
A limited range of shapes and sizes
Traditional pessaries come in a surprisingly small selection of forms, especially compared with the range of pelvic anatomies they are expected to fit. Because sizing must often be done in a clinic, many people never learn about pessaries until prolapse becomes severe or until a provider happens to mention them.⁶
They require upkeep
A pessary needs regular cleaning or periodic removal. Some people are comfortable doing this themselves, while others rely on a clinician. If removal and cleaning do not happen consistently, irritation or odor can occur.⁷
This extra maintenance can feel intimidating, especially for people who have never used a vaginal device before.
They are not a permanent repair
A pessary supports prolapse rather than treating the underlying tissue changes. It can provide real relief but does not “fix” prolapse. For some, this is a benefit because it avoids surgery. For others, it may feel like a temporary measure.⁸
Prolapse itself is rarely talked about
Pelvic organ prolapse is common, yet many people do not feel comfortable talking about it. Because prolapse is often framed as something that happens only later in life, many younger or postpartum individuals may not realize their symptoms are treatable. As a result, pessaries remain out of sight for large groups of people who could benefit from them.
What a Pessary Can Do Well
When fitted and cared for properly, a pessary can:
• Reduce the pressure or bulging associated with prolapse⁹
• Help some people with stress urinary incontinence¹⁰
• Offer relief without surgery or recovery time¹¹
• Allow someone to stay active and comfortable throughout daily life¹²
For many, it is one of the simplest and least invasive tools available.
Where Traditional Pessaries Fall Short
Some people find insertion or removal difficult and prefer that a clinician manage it.¹³ Others may go through several fittings before landing on a style that feels comfortable. And when follow-up care is inconsistent, complications such as irritation or discharge can occur.¹⁴
These drawbacks are part of why pessary technology has changed very little in decades. The limited designs, fitting challenges, and upkeep can make pessaries seem outdated, even though they help countless people every year.
Why Awareness Matters
Pessaries should not be a last-resort topic or something mentioned only behind clinic doors. They are safe, effective, and centuries-tested.¹⁵ They offer a non-surgical option for people who cannot access surgery, do not want surgery, or simply want relief while considering their long-term plan.
Yet the experience of getting and using a pessary has stayed almost entirely the same for decades. The limited shapes, rigid sizing, in-clinic fittings, and maintenance challenges mean many people who could benefit never even get to try one. The pessary has never been the problem. The way it is delivered has.
Why We Set Out To Reinvent the Pessary Experience
We saw how many people were left without an accessible path to relief. Traditional pessaries work, but they are not built for how people live today. They assume frequent clinic visits. They assume that one of a few rigid shapes will fit everyone. They assume that support and comfort are the same thing.
We wanted to create a version of this tool that feels modern, intuitive, and genuinely easy to use. A pessary that people can size at home, insert comfortably, and rely on without worrying about outdated materials or designs. One that supports the body without compromising hygiene, mobility, or confidence.
Our inflatable pessary was built to bring the benefits of prolapse support to more people by addressing the issues that have held traditional devices back. If you are curious about a simpler, more comfortable option you can manage at home, you can explore our device and learn more about how it works by checking out our Sizing Kit.
Footnotes
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Cleveland Clinic. Pessary use overview.
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Cleveland Clinic. Types of pessaries.
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The Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Group. Patient information on pessaries.
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PubMed. Historical overview of pessary use.
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Wikipedia. Pessary materials and evolution.
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The Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Group. Clinical fitting guidelines.
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MyHealth Alberta. Pessary care instructions.
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Mayo Clinic. Comparison of pessary use and surgical outcomes.
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Global Library of Women’s Medicine. Effectiveness for prolapse symptoms.
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Cleveland Clinic. Stress urinary incontinence support.
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Healthline. Non-surgical prolapse treatment benefits.
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The Pelvic Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Group. Quality of life data.
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BMC Urology. User experience with insertion and removal.
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Wikipedia. Potential complications with improper care.
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PubMed. Longstanding medical use of pessaries.
