Hi Diane! I lead a startup developing an over-the-counter pessary for stress urinary incontinence. And it still took me 3 years to convince my own mother to try a pessary for her prolapse. Now she’s a total pessary evangelist! There’s just something about the lack of familiarity and, as you say, physician “neutrality.” Great that you shared your story and are on here getting us all talking. Melody
Hi Melody. I am so delighted you reached out. Thank you for signing up and taking the time to read my post(s). This is a slow process for me as a writer because it is my personal story, unlike my professional life as a cookbook author (much easier to write about!). I'd love to learn more about this over-the-counter pessary! I started this Substack to share information precisely because I knew nothing about pelvic organ prolapse until it happened to me. Perhaps we could find a way to have a conversation?
There is another option called Estring which emits a VERY low dose of estrogen from the pessary ring. It stays in for three months at a time. This gives support and keeps the blood flow and lubrication flowing. I have never had a pregnancy in my uterus so that may have some bearing on the fact that I don’t have particularly leaking issues. I have been using this for almost 10 years.
Very interesting. I was unfamiliar with an Estring. My reading indicates that it is a local Estrogen therapy for menopausal women suffering from vaginal atrophy rather than a treatment for POP. So many issues we deal with as we age!! Thank you for sharing. And so glad to know you have found relief.
I have abdominal muscle weakness and adhesions from surgeries for ectopic pregnancies. I have been doing heavy physical labor for 45-50 years. My gyn wanted to do a vaginal vault repair with the mesh using the Da Vinci machine. My insurance denied the application twice saying it was “cosmetic” surgery. I was doing epsom salt baths and I found some relief after 6 months. Then my gyn thought about the estrogen cream and that had some relief so she suggested the ring. She offered me pessary of the array you mentioned in your article but I could not conceive of any impediment the likes of a cork in an orifice that is mentioned to secrete unobstructed!
Hi Diane! I lead a startup developing an over-the-counter pessary for stress urinary incontinence. And it still took me 3 years to convince my own mother to try a pessary for her prolapse. Now she’s a total pessary evangelist! There’s just something about the lack of familiarity and, as you say, physician “neutrality.” Great that you shared your story and are on here getting us all talking. Melody
Hi Melody. I am so delighted you reached out. Thank you for signing up and taking the time to read my post(s). This is a slow process for me as a writer because it is my personal story, unlike my professional life as a cookbook author (much easier to write about!). I'd love to learn more about this over-the-counter pessary! I started this Substack to share information precisely because I knew nothing about pelvic organ prolapse until it happened to me. Perhaps we could find a way to have a conversation?
Absolutely: let’s talk. I reached out on LinkedIn just now.
There is another option called Estring which emits a VERY low dose of estrogen from the pessary ring. It stays in for three months at a time. This gives support and keeps the blood flow and lubrication flowing. I have never had a pregnancy in my uterus so that may have some bearing on the fact that I don’t have particularly leaking issues. I have been using this for almost 10 years.
Very interesting. I was unfamiliar with an Estring. My reading indicates that it is a local Estrogen therapy for menopausal women suffering from vaginal atrophy rather than a treatment for POP. So many issues we deal with as we age!! Thank you for sharing. And so glad to know you have found relief.
I have abdominal muscle weakness and adhesions from surgeries for ectopic pregnancies. I have been doing heavy physical labor for 45-50 years. My gyn wanted to do a vaginal vault repair with the mesh using the Da Vinci machine. My insurance denied the application twice saying it was “cosmetic” surgery. I was doing epsom salt baths and I found some relief after 6 months. Then my gyn thought about the estrogen cream and that had some relief so she suggested the ring. She offered me pessary of the array you mentioned in your article but I could not conceive of any impediment the likes of a cork in an orifice that is mentioned to secrete unobstructed!