More About EvaCare Donut Pessary
How Pessary Helps In Urinary Incontinence?
In women with stress incontinence, the pessary exerts pressure on the urethra (urine tube) to decrease the escape of urine when coughing or sneezing. In patients with urge incontinence (strong, sudden need to urinate), the pessary realigns the bladder in its normal position, allowing it to empty better.
What Happens After Fitting?
After the first fitting, the user will need to go back to health care provider’s office in a few days to have the pessary rechecked. After that, the user may be checked every few weeks, then every 2 to 3 months as long as the user have the pessary. If the user experience inadequate relief of symptoms, be sure to report that to provider. Over time the pessary may need to be changed to a different size or shape.
How To Clean Donut Pessary?
The cleaning schedule is based on the type of prolapse the user have, the amount of vaginal discharge, and the specific type of pessary. There are two options:
- The user may return to provider’s office every 2 to 3 months for a regularly scheduled pessary change. Many older women elect for this option.
- If the user feel comfortable with the pessary, the user may remove and clean it once instructed in the proper insertion and removal technique. After the user have removed pessary, wash it with mild soap, rinse well with tap water and air dry. EvaCare pessaries fold or compress to ease insertion. A small amount of lubricant may be used. Apply it at the introitus (vaginal opening) and use non-lubricated fingers to insert.
The user should return to provider to have the pessary checked once or twice a year. Generally pessary will be replaced with a new one after one year of use.
When the user are not wearing pessary, store it in a clean, dry place. The pessary should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed.
Can Donut Pessary Be Lost In The Vagina?
No, the pessary cannot get lost. The vagina is like an open pocket extending only 3 to 4 inches into the body. The pessary can change its position within the vagina or fall out if it is too small or if there is undo straining during a bowel movement. If that happens, or if the pessary is uncomfortable or the user can feel the pessary at the opening of the vaginal area, do one of two things:
- Insert fingers into the vagina, grasp the pessary and gently pull it down and out. Removal is usually best done lying flat with knees bent (less gravity) and legs apart.
- Push it back in. Reach into vagina until the user touch the pessary. Simply push the pessary in as deep as you can.
If pessary falls out and the user are unable to reinsert it, clean the device as instructed previously. Place it in a plastic bag to take with the user when returning to provider’s office.
Can Pessary Act As A Contraceptive Device?
No. It is important to understand that the pessary is not a contraceptive device like the diaphragm. Intercourse is possible with those pessaries that do not fill the vagina, such as the ring. Some other types of pessaries must be removed before intercourse. Contact clinician for instructions regarding pessary.
Cautions And Warnings:
The pessary may push against other pelvic structures and can sometimes cause trouble with urination, difficulty with bowel movements, or lower back pain. Report any of these to healthcare provider right away, as well as:
- Any increase in urinary incontinence
- Any vaginal pressure or discomfort
- Any vaginal bleeding, burning or itching
- Any vaginal sores
- If the pessary falls out frequently
- If the user notice changes in the color, amount, consistency or odor of vaginal discharge. (A creamy discharge is normal.)
Donut Pessary User Manual
