A vaginal pessary is a removable device placed into the vagina. This medical device, made from medical-grade silicone, helps support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. It prevents the occurrence of a pelvic organ prolapse. Occasionally, pessaries can be used to stop urinary incontinence.
What to expect
Nurses and physiotherapists in collaboration with the doctors help with pessary fitting since these devices come in many different shapes and sizes.
First appointment
The first appointment will take approximately 90 minutes. During your first appointment, your provider will ask you about your symptoms, treatment goals, and any concerns you may have regarding the pessary. After this discussion, you'll move through the exam and fitting process, which includes:
- Pelvic examination: The pelvic examination helps a provider assess your condition and determine the right size and type of pessary.
- Fitting: After the exam, your provider will begin the fitting process.
- Comfort assessment: After the fitting, the provider will do a comfort assessment. The correct pessary should fit comfortably.
- Self-care: Once you work with your provider to choose a pessary, you’ll learn how to do self-care for the device. This includes learning how to insert, remove and clean your pessary.
Be ready to try several different types and sizes of pessaries during the fitting process, as people may have to try a couple of different pessaries to find one that fits.
Follow-up appointment
A few weeks after the first appointment, you will come for a follow-up appointment to see how you are doing with the pessary. This appointment is scheduled for one-hour, unless a refitting is needed.
Cost
The pessary fee is $100, which is due at the end of your first appointment.
The Bladder Care Centre offers pessary fitting during your first appointment and second appointment (follow-up). If you need additional or future support with your pessary, we will provide you a list of doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who offer pessary care and maintenance.
Getting ready for your appointment
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How long to park if you are driving to your Bladder Care Centre appointment.
If you are driving to your appointment, make sure to pay for long enough parking for your appointment. We have provided suggested lengths of parking, depending on your appointment type.
- Urodynamics: Expect to stay for over 2.5 to 3 hours in the Centre.
- Bladder botox: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
- Cystoscopy: Expect to stay for over 2 to 2.5 hours in in the Centre.
- Video Urodyamics: Expect to stay 60 to 90 minutes.
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: Expect to stay for 45 to 60 minutes in the Centre.
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What to bring to your Bladder Care Centre appointment
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Your Care Card or BC Services Card
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A list of all medications you are taking.
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Antibiotics, if you are taking any. If you take antibiotics due to a heart valve replacement, a recent joint replacement, or you have a heart murmur, you must bring your own antibiotics to your test. Antibiotics are not provided.
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Your own incontinence products. We do not carry incontinence products.
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If you have your own face masks, we suggest that you wear one during your appointment. Masks will not be provided.
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When to bring someone to help you
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If you use a cane, crutches, walker or wheelchair and if need help with walking, dressing, undressing or transferring, you must bring someone who can help you.
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If you have difficulty with English, bring someone with you to help with translation. This person must have a good understanding of English. The translator is with you during your test.
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Bladder Care Centre cancellation policy
Please provide 48 business hours' notice for appointment cancellations. If you feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms on the day of your appointment, call us to cancel and reschedule.
No show and late cancellation policy
Patients who do not show up or cancel their appointment less than 24 business hours beforehand without a valid reason for cancellation may be charged a fee by the urologists (from their private office). The Bladder Care Centre staff have no control over this fee charge.
Important cancellation reminders
Your appointment is important to us. Please review the following notices to ensure your appointment does not get cancelled:
- Please arrive on time for your appointment to ensure your test can be completed. If you are more than 10 minutes late, your test may be cancelled, and you will need to reschedule.
- If you are experiencing symptoms/illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, cough, colds, flu, bladder infection, or fever, please call to reschedule your appointment. If you arrive at the clinic with any of these symptoms, your appointment will be cancelled.
- If you use a cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair and require assistance with walking or undressing, please bring someone to help you.
- Physicians may need to reschedule appointments due to sudden schedule changes. If this happens, we will rebook your appointment accordingly.
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When to reschedule your Bladder Care Centre appointment
Call the Bladder Care Centre and reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell and have any of the symptoms listed below. If you arrive at the centre with these symptoms, we will cancel your test(s), and you will be sent home.
- Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Loose bowel movements/diarrhea
Vomiting
Chills
Any flu/cold-like symptoms
Bladder infection
- Fever
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What to do in the morning of your Bladder Care Centre appointment
- Drink approximately two to three cups of fluid (water, cranberry juice, milk, herbal tea) 30 to 60 minutes prior to your test so that you arrive at the clinic with a comfortable urge to urinate (empty your bladder). If you have an indwelling Foley or suprapubic catheter, or self-catheterize, you do not need to drink extra water.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine on the day of your test (e.g. coffee, tea, colas).
- You may eat and drink before the test.
- Take a bath or shower the morning of your appointment.
- You may find it more comfortable if you have a bowel movement before coming to the clinic. This is not essential.
- Do not empty your bladder when you arrive at the clinic. Speak with the nurse if you feel you must empty your bladder.
After the treatment
It is important to follow your self-care instructions following your pessary fitting.
Seek medical help if you experience:
- Increased pain or pressure from your pessary
- Increased discharge, or changes in the colour of discharge
- Bleeding
- Foul odour
- Sudden urinary retention or leakage
Maintenance
Pessaries may cause vaginal irritation if they are not routinely maintained and cleansed. We advise routine maintenance by seeing a community physiotherapist, nurse, or family doctor every three to six months to check your pessary and vagina. Never leave a pessary inside uncleaned for longer than three months.
Vaginal Pessaries at Bladder Care Centre
- Main phone: 604-822-6143
- Secondary phone: 604-822-4810