A vaginal pessary can be a life-changing aid for managing pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence, but what if it’s causing more discomfort than relief? You’re not alone; many women silently endure issues with their pessary, not realizing that proper support exists. That’s where Female Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Edmonton becomes vital.
Turning Point Physiotherapy provides a welcoming environment where you can explore comfortable and functional solutions with the support of our physiotherapists. Let’s understand how a pelvic physio can help resolve common pessary challenges and restore your confidence.
Understanding Why Your Pessary Might Feel Uncomfortable
The purpose of pessaries is to support the pelvic organs, but issues may occur when:
- The wrong size or shape is used
- The insertion technique isn’t ideal
- Muscles around the pelvic area are weak, overactive, or uncoordinated
- There is tissue irritation or dryness
Pelvic pressure, chafing, urgency, bowel issues, or pain during intimacy are signs something’s wrong, not something to “get used to.” Discomfort often indicates a poorly fitted or unsupported pessary that requires proper assessment.
Common Mistakes in Pessary Use, and How Physio Helps Fix Them
Mistake #1: Using a Pessary Without Muscle Support
Pelvic organ prolapse is often linked to weakened or underactive pelvic muscles. A pessary might hold things up temporarily, but without strengthening the pelvic floor, the underlying cause isn’t addressed.
Mistake #2: Over-reliance on Size Adjustments
If your pessary feels off, it’s common to go back and forth trying different shapes or sizes. But size isn’t always the problem; your body’s muscle coordination and posture also play a huge role.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Pain or Irritation
It’s a myth that mild pain is “normal” when using a pessary. Any persistent irritation, whether caused by friction, dryness, or pressure, should be a signal to seek medical help.
Mistake #4: No Follow-Up After Initial Fitting
Many women are fitted once and never reassessed unless there’s an emergency. Over time, body changes (such as menopause, childbirth, or changes in activity level) can affect how your pessary fits and feels.
How Female Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help
Pelvic floor physiotherapy isn’t just for postpartum recovery or bladder leaks; it’s key to helping your body adapt to a pessary. Discomfort often arises from the interaction between your muscles and posture and the pessary, rather than the device itself. That’s where pelvic floor physiotherapy in Edmonton helps.
At Turning Point Physiotherapy, our focus is on identifying the reasons why your pessary feels uncomfortable and gently restoring your body’s balance through personalized care.
A Deeper Look at What Pelvic Physio Can Address
1. Muscle Imbalance and Pessary Fit
Weak, tight, or imbalanced pelvic muscles can directly interfere with how a pessary sits in the vaginal canal. These muscles are meant to work like a supportive sling, if one part is overactive and another underactive, the pessary might tilt, slide, or press uncomfortably against the vaginal walls.
Targeted intervention:
- Teaching pelvic floor relaxation for overactive or tense muscles
- Strengthening underperforming muscles that should assist with internal support
- Creating better coordination so muscles activate properly when standing, coughing, or lifting
2. Posture, Breathing, and Pressure Control
Your posture and how you manage intra-abdominal pressure (the pressure inside your abdomen when you move, breathe, or bear down) can have a surprising impact on your pessary’s performance. Slouched posture or shallow breathing can unintentionally increase downward pressure on the device.
Physio strategies include:
- Breathing techniques that teach diaphragmatic control to reduce unnecessary strain
- Postural corrections to align the pelvis and spine for better support
- Core engagement training that integrates with your pelvic floor activation
These subtle adjustments can make a major difference in how secure and comfortable your pessary feels day-to-day.
3. Pain and Tissue Sensitivity
Some women experience irritation, rawness, or pressure from their pessary, especially during prolonged wear. This might be due to thinning vaginal tissues, dryness, scar tissue, or existing nerve sensitivity. Instead of removing the device altogether, pelvic physiotherapy can offer tissue support strategies.
Your physiotherapist will use:
- Manual therapy to improve circulation and reduce tissue restriction
- Dilator therapy or gentle desensitization techniques (when appropriate)
- Education around the use of moisturizers and lubricants to support tissue integrity
4. Pelvic Floor Re-Education After Pessary Use
For women who’ve paused pessary use due to discomfort, physiotherapy helps restore pelvic function and confidence. It prepares your muscles and tissues for pessary use or other prolapse support options.
Treatment might focus on:
- Building foundational pelvic floor strength through guided exercises
- Re-integrating pelvic muscle control into daily activities
- Tracking improvement and reassessing pelvic support options if needed
5. Ongoing Support and Reassessment
Pessary use should adapt as your body changes with age, activity, hormones, or recovery. Turning Point Physiotherapy provides ongoing care by reassessing pelvic function and adjusting treatment as needed. Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy helps your body work with the pessary, making it more functional and less disruptive, by addressing the root cause instead of just changing its type or size.
When to Reach Out to a Pelvic Physiotherapist
If you’re unsure whether physiotherapy is right for your situation, here are some signs it’s time to schedule a session:
- You feel pressure or pain with your pessary
- You’ve stopped using your pessary due to discomfort
- You experience bladder or bowel issues while wearing it
- You haven’t had a pelvic muscle assessment before or after pessary use
Discomfort doesn’t need to be your “new normal.” The right support can restore comfort, confidence, and freedom of movement.
Get the Right Support with Turning Point Physiotherapy
If you’re still uncomfortable in your pessary, don’t settle for discomfort. Female Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in Edmonton offers an effective path to understanding and addressing the root causes of pessary issues.
Turning Point Physiotherapy provides compassionate, evidence-informed care tailored to women managing pelvic floor challenges. With proper muscle support and care, your pessary can help support your recovery, rather than feeling like a burden. Book a pelvic floor assessment today and get back to feeling like yourself.
