ABSTRACT
Various forms of pessaries have been used to manage pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence. A limited number of pessary options and the resultant problems that they produced led to nonuse or discontinuation of the use of a pessary in many patients. Pessaries have also been shown to have a positive effect on patients’ quality of life, body image, anxiety, and bowel function. Although one reason for the discontinuation of a pessary is expulsion, if properly fitted, the continuation rate for pessary use as management for incontinence and/or prolapse has been reported to be as high as 90%. An incontinence pessary similarly provides support to a mid-urethral sling while avoiding a surgical procedure. Various pessaries of this nature are available, including the anti-incontinence ring with and without support, the anti-incontinence dish, and the Uresta incontinence pessary. When a pessary is used for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, it can be inserted on either a continuous or intermittent basis.
