Ring pessary for all pelvic organ prolapse

To evaluate the risk factors of unsuccessful fitting of ring pessary in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), continuation rate, and adverse events.

The ring pessary was offered to 100 symptomatic POP patients. POP was staged according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system. A successful fitting was defined as when patients continued pessary use for more than 2 weeks. Adverse events were evaluated in patients who had a successful fitting.

Most patients (71%) were in POP-Q stage III–IV and 77 patients were fitted at the initial visit. Successful fitting was reported in 62 patients (62%). However, 52 patients (52%) continued to use the pessary at 13 months median follow-up. The most common reason for discontinuation was frequent pessary expulsion. Short vaginal length ≤6 cm and wide introitus >4 fingerbreadths were the significant risk factors for unsuccessful fitting. New onset of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) developed in 28.2% of patients. One third and 21% of patients had vaginal discharge and vaginal erosion, respectively. Only half of the patients could manage the pessary either by themselves or with their caregivers.

The ring pessary fitting can be attempted in all POP cases irrespective of stage. Short vaginal length <6 cm and wide introitus >4 fingerbreadths were the risk factors for unsuccessful fitting. It has an acceptable continuation rate and manageable adverse events. The self-care of pessary is an important strategy to minimize adverse events.