Prolapse and Pessary | Pelvic Support Physiotherapy

Prolapse and Pessary Fitting

We provide expert care for pelvic organ prolapse through personalized pelvic floor physiotherapy and pessary fittings. Our non-surgical solutions help reduce discomfort, improve function, and support your active lifestyle. Take the first step toward relief—contact us today!

Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the muscles and tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken, causing one or more organs (such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum) to shift from their natural positions and push into the vaginal canal. Prolapse can lead to discomfort, pain, and even difficulties with bladder and bowel function, impacting daily life and well-being.

Common types of pelvic prolapse include:

Cystocele (Bladder Prolapse): This is when the bladder drops down into the front wall of the vagina, often causing urinary incontinence, pressure, or a frequent urge to urinate.
Rectocele (Rectal Prolapse): When the rectum bulges into the back wall of the vagina, leading to symptoms like difficulty with bowel movements, a feeling of fullness, or lower back pain.
Uterine Prolapse: This occurs when the uterus sags into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic floor support, which can cause a feeling of heaviness or pressure, lower abdominal discomfort, and difficulty with sexual activity.
Enterocele (Small Bowel Prolapse): In this case, part of the small intestine presses down into the vaginal wall, often resulting in pelvic or lower back pain and discomfort during physical activity.

How Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Can Help with Prolapse

Our specialized pelvic floor physiotherapists can help you manage and improve symptoms of pelvic prolapse, often reducing the need for surgical intervention. Treatment focuses on strengthening and retraining the pelvic floor muscles, alleviating discomfort, and improving quality of life.

Key Treatment Approaches

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises (PFME): Targeted exercises help to strengthen the muscles supporting your pelvic organs, providing stability and reducing symptoms of prolapse. A physiotherapist can guide you in performing these exercises correctly for maximum effectiveness.
Breathing and Core Stabilization Techniques: Breathing exercises combined with core stabilization help distribute pressure more evenly in the abdominal and pelvic areas, reducing strain on the pelvic floor.
Lifestyle Modifications and Education: Learn about posture adjustments, lifting techniques, constipation and other lifestyle changes that can reduce pressure on the pelvic floor and lower the risk of prolapse worsening.
Biofeedback and Electrical Stimulation: Biofeedback devices and, in some cases, electrical stimulation can assist in identifying and activating the right muscles, particularly if they are weakened or difficult to engage.
Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Release: Gentle hands-on techniques can help alleviate tension, improve blood flow, and increase mobility in the pelvic region, enhancing muscle function and support.

Why Choose Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a non-invasive, holistic approach tailored to each individual’s needs. By working with a physiotherapist, you can reduce symptoms, regain confidence, and take steps toward a better quality of life without the immediate need for surgery or medications.

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Pessary Fitting

What is a Pessary?

A pessary is a small, removable silicon device inserted into the vagina to provide support for pelvic organs, helping to alleviate symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or to decrease urinary stress incontinence. Pessaries come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to meet the unique needs and anatomy of each individual. They work by lifting and stabilizing prolapsed organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, which helps reduce symptoms like pressure, pain, and incontinence.

How Can a Physiotherapist Help with Pessary Fitting?

Our specialized pelvic floor physiotherapists are trained to assess, fit, and monitor the use of pessaries, ensuring a comfortable and effective fit that meets your unique needs. A doctor's referral is needed in Ontario for a physiotherapist to do a pessary fitting.

The Fitting Process

Assessment: The process begins with a thorough evaluation of your pelvic floor health, prolapse type, and severity. Our physiotherapists will discuss your lifestyle, activity levels, and symptoms to select the most suitable pessary for you.
Customized Fitting: Once the right pessary type is chosen, your physiotherapist will carefully fit it to ensure comfort and effectiveness. Adjustments can be made as needed to ensure a proper fit.
Education and Training: We’ll teach you how to care for your pessary, including how to insert, remove, and clean it if it’s removable. We’ll also provide guidance on how to monitor any changes or signs of discomfort.
Follow-Up Care: Regular check-ups are essential to ensure your pessary continues to fit well and provide relief. Follow-ups allow us to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Benefits of Pessary Use

Symptom Relief: Pessaries help alleviate discomfort and the “heavy” feeling associated with prolapse by providing structural support. And/or the decrease of urinary stress incontinence.
Non-Surgical Solution: For many, a pessary offers an effective, non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Improved Quality of Life: Enjoy greater ease with daily activities and exercise without worrying about prolapse symptoms.
Support for Physical Therapy: By reducing prolapse symptoms, a pessary can support pelvic floor exercises, helping you build strength and stability over time.

Is a Pessary Right for You?

A pessary can be an empowering tool for managing prolapse or incontinence, allowing many people to avoid or delay surgery and stay active with confidence. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today to schedule an assessment and discuss whether a pessary might be the right option for you.