How Many Years Can You Use a Pessary?
If you’ve been recommended a pessary or you’re already using one, you might be wondering:
“Is this a short-term solution… or something I can use long-term?”
The answer is reassuring: A pessary can be used safely for many years—even decades—when it’s properly fitted and maintained.
First, a Quick Refresher: What is a Pessary?
A pessary is a small, removable medical device placed in the vagina to help support pelvic organs. It’s commonly used to manage:
Pelvic organ prolapse
Bladder leakage (especially with exercise, coughing, or sneezing)
A feeling of heaviness or pressure
Think of it as a supportive tool that helps you stay active and symptom-free without surgery.
How Long Can You Actually Use One?
There’s no strict expiration date.
Many people:
Use a pessary for years at a time
Continue using one through different life stages (postpartum → menopause → beyond)
Choose it as a long-term alternative to surgery
As long as it’s:
Comfortable
Managing your symptoms
Checked regularly
…it can absolutely be a long-term solution.
What Makes Long-Term Use Successful?
1. The right fit
A pessary should:
Stay in place during activities like walking, running, or lifting
Allow you to urinate and have bowel movements normally
Feel comfortable (you shouldn’t be constantly aware of it)
If it’s not doing those things, it’s not the right fit—and that’s fixable.
2. Regular follow-up care
Even if everything feels great, check-ins are important.
Typical follow-up:
Every 3–6 months if you don’t remove it yourself
Annually (or as advised) if you’re independent with care
These visits make sure:
Vaginal tissue stays healthy
The fit is still appropriate
There are no signs of irritation
3. Tissue health (especially around menopause)
Hormonal changes can affect vaginal tissue over time.
Some people benefit from:
Vaginal estrogen (when appropriate)
Adjustments in pessary type or size
This helps keep long-term use comfortable and safe.
4. The ability to remove and clean it
Some people:
Remove and clean their pessary regularly at home
Others:
Prefer to have it managed in clinic
Both are completely valid options—it’s about what works for you.
Are There Situations Where Someone Wouldn’t Use One Long-Term?
Yes, occasionally.
A pessary may not be the best long-term option if:
It’s consistently uncomfortable despite refitting
It doesn’t fully control symptoms
There are repeated issues with irritation or infection
In those cases, we reassess and explore other options.
Do Pessaries Wear Out?
Over time, yes.
Most pessaries:
Last 1–2 years (sometimes longer depending on use and care)
May need to be replaced if they become:
Stiff
Discolored
Less comfortable
But that doesn’t mean you stop using a pessary—just that the device itself gets refreshed.
Where to Find Pessary Fitting in Thousand Oaks
A pessary isn’t just a temporary fix. It can be a long-term, sustainable solution for managing pelvic floor symptoms.
With the right fit, proper follow-up, and support: you can continue doing the activities you love—without symptoms holding you back.
If you’re curious whether a pessary is right for you (or if yours isn’t feeling quite right), working with a pelvic floor physical therapist can make all the difference in finding the right fit and making it work for your lifestyle.
At Cappuccino Physical Therapy, we offer pessary fitting services and would love to help you. Reach out to get started.
