Does a Pessary Hurt?
If you’ve been told you might benefit from a pessary, one of the first questions you probably have is: “do pessaries hurt?”
The short answer: a properly fitted pessary should not hurt.
Let’s break that down so you know exactly what to expect.
What Should a Pessary Feel Like?
A pessary is a small, flexible device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs. When it’s the right size and shape for your body, most people describe it as:
Comfortable
Supportive
Barely noticeable
In fact, many patients forget it’s even there during daily activities like walking, exercising, or lifting.
When Might a Pessary Feel Uncomfortable?
Discomfort is not normal, but it can happen—especially in the beginning or if the fit isn’t quite right.
You might feel:
Pressure or rubbing
Awareness of the pessary
Discomfort with certain movements
The pessary slipping down
This usually means one of a few things:
The size needs adjusting
The style of pessary isn’t the best match for your anatomy or activity level
Your pelvic floor muscles need a little more support or coordination
The good news: these issues are fixable.
What About Pain?
Pain is your body’s way of saying something isn’t right.
A pessary should never cause sharp pain, pinching, or worsening symptoms. If it does, we reassess right away.
At our clinic, we don’t just insert a pessary and send you on your way. We make sure you can:
Walk, sit, and move comfortably
Do the activity that was bothering you (running, jumping, lifting, etc.)
Urinate without the pessary interfering with your stream
Sometimes it takes multiple trials with different shapes and sizes to get the right fit.
Does Insertion or Removal Hurt?
For most people, insertion and removal are not painful, especially with guidance and practice.
You might feel:
Mild pressure at first
A learning curve when removing it yourself
If you’re postpartum, experiencing dryness, or have pelvic pain, we may recommend:
Using lubrication or a topical estrogen cream
Going slower with insertion
Pairing pessary use with pelvic floor therapy
What If I’m Already Having Pelvic Pain?
If you have conditions like pain with sex or general pelvic pain, a pessary may or may not be the right choice right away.
Sometimes we:
Address muscle tension first with pelvic floor physical therapy
Improve tissue sensitivity
Then introduce a pessary when your body is more comfortable
It’s always a collaborative decision—we make sure it actually feels like a good fit for you, not just on paper.
The Bottom Line
A pessary should feel like support—not pain.
When it’s properly fitted and paired with the right guidance, it can be a powerful tool to help you:
Reduce symptoms of prolapse or heaviness
Return to exercise
Feel more confident in your body
If something feels off, that’s not something you just “push through”—it’s something we adjust.
Ready to See If a Pessary Is Right for You?
At Cappuccino Physical Therapy, pessary fittings are never one-size-fits-all. We guide you through the process, trial different options, and make sure it actually works for your life.
Book a pessary fitting session to get started.
