Ottawa Pessary Clinic

We are Ottawa’s known, private physiotherapy clinic. We are devoted to the fitting of pessaries for women with various pelvic health conditions.

Do you want to avoid or postpone surgery?

Do you leak urine when you sneeze, laugh, or run?

Have you been diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse?

Have you been diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence?

Do you experience symptoms of heaviness, bulging or pressure?

If so, the use of a pessary may be a suitable option for you.

We do pessaries differently!

At Harmony Physiotherapy and Wellness, we value…

  • listening

  • quality of life

  • empowerment

  • your goals

  • knowledge sharing

  • compassion

  • individualized care

What is it?

A pessary is a removable device that is inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, and bowels)

Who is it appropriate for?

1) Women who have pelvic organ prolapse: descent of the pelvic organs

2) Women who have stress urinary incontinence: leakage of urine with activity (eg. sneezing, laughing, running)

When is it used?

A pessary may be worn constantly or inserted only during activities that produce symptoms (eg. during exercise)

Why use it?

  • Improve quality of life

  • Return to activities of daily living and previously enjoyed hobbies

  • Decrease heaviness, pressure and bulging

  • Reduce urinary incontinence

  • Improve sexual function

About the procedure…

Pessary fitting is a procedure that should be carried out by a qualified healthcare provider with specialized training, such as doctors, nurses, or physiotherapists. During this process, the healthcare professional will conduct an internal examination to determine the appropriate size of the pessary to start with. The choice of pessary shape will be based on your individual anatomy, symptoms, and the type and severity of prolapse you may have. Additionally, various factors, including your age (menstruating or post-menopausal), sexual activity, and whether you'll be responsible for self-insertion and removal or have periodic assistance from a healthcare provider, will be taken into consideration when determining the most suitable pessary for your needs.

It's important to note that it's not uncommon to try several different sizes or shapes during clinical visits before finding the optimal fit. Furthermore, over the course of your life, you may require different pessaries. Sometimes, the vaginal walls adapt to the pessary over time, necessitating a larger size. In other cases, a pessary that initially worked well may later become less effective, leading to the need for adjustments. Experiencing these adjustments should not be disheartening; it simply means that some exploration may be necessary to find the right solution.

When fitting a pessary for a client, We ensure that it is sufficiently large to support the pelvic organs without exerting undue pressure on the vaginal tissues, which could increase the risks associated with pessary use.

Therefore, it is essential to consult with a professional to undergo a proper pessary fitting. Avoid purchasing pessaries online, as they are not one-size-fits-all and must be specifically fitted to your unique body and needs.