Medical-Grade Silicone Pessaries: Design, Materials & Manufacturing Guide
A pessary is a removable medical device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs in cases of prolapse or stress urinary incontinence. Historically made of rubber or plastic, modern pessaries are almost exclusively medical-grade silicone pessaries. Silicone is preferred because it is durable, non-absorbent, and hypoallergenic – it won’t absorb odors or secretions and stands up to repeated cleaning. In short, silicone is a biocompatible material (tested per ISO 10993 standards) that provides long-term comfort and safety for patients. By avoiding latex or other materials, silicone pessary manufacturing has virtually eliminated allergy concerns and improved device lifespan. Pessaries offer a non-surgical solution for pelvic support, and the use of soft, flexible silicone makes them easier to insert, remove, and wear for extended periods without irritation.
Design Fundamentals of Silicone Pessaries
Designing a silicone pessary requires balancing anatomical fit, retention, and patient comfort. Pessary design begins with an understanding of vaginal anatomy and the specific condition being treated. Devices must be sized correctly: a pessary that is too small may fall out, while one too large can cause discomfort. For example, ring pessaries come in diameters from about 50 mm up to 100 mm (in ~5 mm increments) to accommodate different patients. Clinicians aim to fit the largest comfortable size – large enough to stay in place during activities like walking or coughing, but not so large that it causes pressure or pain. The device’s shape and size work together for an anatomical fit that supports organs (like the uterus or bladder) while remaining unnoticed by the user during daily activities.
Common Form Factors: Silicone pessaries are available in a variety of shapes, each suited to particular clinical needs. The simplest is the silicone ring pessary, an O-shaped ring (with or without an internal support membrane) used for mild prolapse and stress incontinence. A thicker variant is the donut pessary, which has a doughnut-like cross-section to provide bulk support for more advanced prolapse. Space-filling designs include the Gellhorn pessary – a disk with a central stem or knob – often chosen for advanced prolapse because it not only supports but also occupies the vaginal space to prevent organ descent. Another space-filling type is the cube pessary, a soft silicone cube with concave sides that create suction against the vaginal walls to stay in place. There are many other designs as well (e.g. the Shaatz, an knob-less disk similar to Gellhorn, or the Gehrung, a U-shaped pessary with a flexible support useful for uterine prolapse), but ring, donut, Gellhorn, and cube pessaries are among the most common. Each form factor presents unique design considerations – for instance, a cube pessary needs drainage holes to allow airflow and ease removal, while a ring pessary may incorporate an internal spring for added stiffness.
Ergonomics and User Considerations: A well-designed pessary prioritizes ease of insertion, removal, and wear. Silicone’s flexibility allows even large devices to be folded for insertion; many pessaries have minor design features to assist with this. For example, ring and donut pessaries often have notches or finger holes to help fold and guide the device during insertion, and to hook a finger for removal. The edges and surfaces of all pessaries are made smooth and rounded to prevent irritation or tissue damage during use. Some ring pessaries embed a thin steel spring within the silicone – this gives the ring a gentle rigidity to spring open once in place while still allowing it to be squeezed for insertion. The Shore A durometer (hardness) of the silicone is carefully selected for ergonomics: typically around 20–50 Shore A, which is soft enough to be very flexible yet firm enough to provide support. (For context, a mid-range ~30 Shore A silicone behaves like a resilient rubber that can flex repeatedly without losing shape.)
Identification & Imaging Features: Manufacturers often include features to make pessaries easily identifiable and even visible on medical imaging. Many pessaries have size or model numbers embossed on the device, and some brands use color-coding to distinguish sizes or softness at a glance. For example, a fitting kit may have each trial pessary in a different color to simplify training and selection. This is especially helpful for clinicians to quickly grab the right size during fittings. In terms of imaging, standard silicone is not opaque to X-rays – however, if needed, radiopaque fillers like barium sulfate can be blended into the silicone so that the pessary will show up on X-ray images. Radiopacity isn’t a requirement for most pessaries, since their presence is usually confirmed by exam, but it can be useful in rare cases (for example, to locate a forgotten pessary on an abdominal X-ray). Some pessary designs with embedded metal (such as a ring pessary’s internal spring) inherently appear on X-rays as well. Overall, these identification and imaging enhancements do not interfere with the device’s softness or function – they are subtle additions to improve safety and usability.
Materials: Silicone Selection and Biocompatibility
Nearly all modern pessaries are made from medical-grade silicone elastomers, but it’s important to choose the right formulation and additives for the application. Two forms of silicone are commonly used in medical molding: Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) and High Consistency Rubber (HCR). Both result in a flexible, inert silicone product, but they differ in processing and properties. LSR is a two-part platinum-cured silicone that starts as a liquid; it is injected into molds and vulcanizes quickly into a non-toxic, durable elastomer. LSR flows easily into complex shapes, cures rapidly, and yields parts with excellent tear strength and elongation. This makes LSR ideal for LSR injection molding pessary production, especially for high volumes or intricate designs. HCR, on the other hand, is a more viscous, gum-like silicone that is typically molded by compression or transfer molding rather than injection. HCR silicones can offer very high tensile strength, tear resistance and longevity, sometimes outperforming LSR in those mechanical aspects. However, HCR requires more labor-intensive processing and is less suited to automation. In practice, most manufacturers prefer LSR for pessaries due to its precision and efficiency, unless a specific project calls for an HCR (for example, a very small initial production run or a unique formulation that’s only available in HCR). The choice between LSR and HCR ultimately depends on the device requirements and manufacturing strategy, but in either case the material must be biocompatible silicone intended for long-term body contact.
Beyond the base silicone type, engineers must specify the appropriate durometer and any additives. As mentioned, a medium-soft silicone (approximately 30 Shore A) is common for pessaries, providing a good balance between flexibility and support. Softer (lower durometer) might ease insertion but could lack adequate support or be prone to folding in use, whereas harder silicone could be uncomfortable. Colorants can be added to silicone without affecting its cure – in fact, LSR starts out translucent and “can be pigmented to match any color requirement”. Many pessaries are tinted a flesh-like pink or left white; others are fully transparent or use colors for coding. Any pigments or additives used must be medical grade and compatible with the silicone matrix. For instance, only USP Class VI or ISO 10993-tested colorants/fillers are chosen to ensure no leaching of harmful substances. If a radiopaque pessary is needed, the silicone can be loaded with a safe filler like barium sulfate to make it show up under X-ray. This is the same approach used in catheters and drains – the filler is dispersed in the silicone, typically giving it a pale white color and X-ray visibility. The formulation work also considers platinum-cure vs. peroxide-cure silicone: most medical LSRs are platinum-cured (addition-cure) silicones that produce no peroxide residues. Platinum-cured silicones have very low levels of extractable chemicals and generally do not require extensive post-curing to achieve biocompatibility. They are preferred for prolonged mucosal contact devices like pessaries. Suppliers often provide documentation such as ISO 10993 test reports for cytotoxicity, sensitization, and irritation, confirming the material’s safety for vaginal use. In fact, regulatory approvals (FDA 510k or CE marking) for a new pessary will demand evidence that the silicone and any additives meet biocompatibility standards. Thus, material selection is a critical step – the goal is a flexible, inert, and durable silicone that can withstand years of use and cleaning without degrading or causing tissue reactions.
Manufacturing Process of Silicone Pessaries
Designing a pessary also involves designing for efficient manufacturability. Design for Manufacturability (DFM) means the geometry should avoid problematic undercuts or thin flash-prone gaps, and accommodate mold tooling. Typically, a pessary can be molded in a two-part mold (split along a plane) – for instance, a ring or donut shape naturally has a mid-plane parting line. More complex shapes (like a cube with concave sides or a Gellhorn with a stem) may require multi-part molds or strategic gate placement to fill the part completely. Engineers will choose a mold tooling strategy that might include multiple cavities (to produce several pessaries per machine cycle for high volume) and a cold-runner system for LSR to minimize material waste. The mold surfaces are often polished or textured appropriately so the cured silicone can be removed without tearing. Because silicone is very elastic, even a part with slight undercuts can sometimes be peeled out of the mold, but excessive undercuts are avoided to prevent stress on the part. Careful consideration is given to where the parting lines and injection gates will be: the goal is to place any faint seam or flash in a non-critical area where it won’t affect patient comfort (usually along the outer perimeter of a ring, for example). The mold also may include engraved markings (for size or brand) that will appear on the pessary as raised or recessed text.
LSR Injection Molding: In production, most silicone pessaries are made by liquid injection molding. This automated process ensures consistency and high quality. It begins with drums of two-part LSR (Part A and Part B, plus any pigment or additive) which are pumped into a mixing unit. The liquid components are precisely metered and mixed, then injected into the heated mold cavities. The curing (vulcanization) happens inside the mold – typically at temperatures around 150°C – and can be very fast (often curing in 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on part size and formulation). Once the silicone is fully cured in the mold, the tool opens and the parts are ejected, either by automatic ejector pins or manually picked out if they tend to stick. The result coming out of the mold is a fully cured silicone pessary, but usually it has a thin flash – a feather-like excess material where the mold halves met. Silicone’s low viscosity and high injection pressures mean flash as thin as a few thousandths of an inch can occur along the parting line or around any inserts. Removing this flash is a key post-molding step.
Deflashing and Finishing: Traditionally, operators could trim flash with scissors or blades in a manual process, but this is labor-intensive and can be inconsistent. A more advanced solution for silicone parts is cryogenic deflashing, which is “an automated, computer-controlled batch process that removes flash from tens to thousands of molded parts simultaneously”. In cryogenic deflashing, batches of pessaries are tumbled in a chamber that is cooled with liquid nitrogen to a temperature below the silicone’s glass transition point. At these ultra-low temperatures, the thin flash becomes rigid and brittle, while the thicker actual pessary remains rubbery. A blasting medium (often tiny polycarbonate beads) is then applied to knock off the brittle flash without damaging the part. This method can rapidly clean up edges without affecting part dimensions or surface finish. It’s especially useful for complex shapes like a cube pessary with holes or a ring with an internal support, where manual trimming in crevices would be difficult. The result is a smooth, flash-free device. After deflashing, any additional finishing steps are minimal – typically just a visual inspection and perhaps a quick surface polish or washing. The final texture of the pessary is determined by the mold (many are glossy-smooth for easy cleaning, while some may have a matte finish to hold vaginal muscle tissue slightly better). Overall, the combination of precision molding and automated deflashing produces a clean, consistent product ready for use.
Post-Curing and Cleaning: Depending on the silicone used, a post-cure bake may be performed next. Post-curing involves heating the parts in an oven (for example, 2–4 hours at 150°C) to drive off any residual volatiles or catalysts. High-quality platinum-cured LSR often has little to no residual chemicals, so post-curing might be skipped or kept short. However, if required by the material specs or to meet outgassing standards, the manufacturer will post-cure the pessaries to ensure they have very low extractables and compression set (post-curing can improve silicone’s compression set and reduce outgassing to near-zero levels). After any heat treatment, the pessaries are allowed to cool and then go through a thorough cleaning process. Cleaning typically occurs in an ISO-class cleanroom environment to maintain bioburden control. Parts may be washed with deionized water and a mild detergent, or ultrasonically cleaned, to remove any particles from the molding and deflashing steps. They are then dried completely. At this stage, each pessary is visually inspected under good lighting to ensure no remaining flash, particles, or defects are present.
Sterilization and Packaging: Silicone is a robust material that is compatible with common sterilization methods. Most often, manufacturers deliver pessaries sterile or advise sterilization before initial use. The industry standard is ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization, as it effectively sterilizes silicone devices at low temperatures without degrading the material. Manufacturers validate their sterilization cycle to ensure effective microbial kill and residual gas levels within safe limits. Silicone pessaries can also withstand steam sterilization (autoclaving) – in fact, products like the Milex pessary line are made of “soft yet sturdy autoclavable medical grade silicone”, meaning clinics can disinfect them in a steam autoclave between uses. Repeated autoclaving may eventually age the silicone (slight loss of elasticity over a long time), but generally silicone tolerates the 121°C steam cycles quite well. Gamma radiation is another method sometimes used for single-use silicone devices; silicone will turn slightly yellow and could become a bit firmer after high-dose gamma exposure, but many medical-grade silicones are formulated to handle gamma if needed. Regardless of method, the sterilization compatibility of the chosen silicone is confirmed during material selection and testing.
After cleaning (and typically post-sterilization if done by the manufacturer), the pessaries are sealed in medical packaging to keep them clean until use. If the product is sold sterile, a common approach is packaging in a heat-sealed pouch made of a plastic film and a medical-grade paper that is gas-permeable for EtO. The packaging process follows strict protocols – for example, ISO 11607 standards ensure that sterile barrier packaging is validated for integrity and shelf life. Many sterile medical devices have a 2- to 5-year shelf life, so the packaging materials and seals must maintain sterility for that duration. Each package is labeled with the device type, size, lot number, expiration date, and sterilization method. Some manufacturers also offer pessaries as non-sterile devices (especially those intended for one patient’s repeated use rather than one-time sterile implantation). In such cases, the devices are still packaged individually to keep them clean and protected; the clinician is responsible for high-level disinfection or sterilization before initial placement. The choice of sterile vs. non-sterile packaging often comes down to regulatory strategy and end-user preference. In either case, packaging is designed to protect the silicone device (no crushing or deformation) and often includes an insert with instructions for use, cleaning instructions, and warnings.
Quality Assurance and Testing
Manufacturing silicone pessaries to high quality standards requires a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) program. Medical device producers typically operate under an ISO 13485-certified quality management system, which provides a structured framework for process control, risk management, and traceability. Throughout production, multiple checkpoints and tests are implemented to ensure each batch of pessaries meets specifications and is safe for use.
In-Process and Final Inspections: One of the simplest yet crucial QA steps is a thorough visual inspection of each pessary. Trained technicians inspect for any molding defects such as tears, excessive flash, incomplete fills, or surface deformities. Silicone parts are pliable, so they also check that the device can be flexed and folded without cracking. The dimensions of the pessary (outer diameter, thickness, etc.) are verified using calibrated gauges or optical measurement systems to ensure they fall within the design tolerances. For example, a size “3” ring pessary should meet its specified diameter within a small tolerance, otherwise fitting could be impacted. Consistent dimensions are especially important since pessaries come in incremental sizes – a mix-up or an out-of-tolerance part could lead to a poor fit. Mold cavities are often steel-engraved with cavity numbers, and QA may sample parts from each cavity to ensure uniformity across multi-cavity molds.
Material and Hardness Testing: Each batch of silicone material comes with a material certificate confirming its properties and biocompatibility. QA maintains these certs to prove that only approved medical-grade silicone was used. After molding, one key property checked is the durometer hardness of the cured silicone. Using a Shore A durometer gauge, technicians can confirm the hardness is as specified (for instance, ~35 ± 5 Shore A). This ensures that the curing process was correct and that the parts will perform as expected in terms of flexibility. If radiopaque filler or pigment was added to the silicone, the mix ratio and lot are recorded, and sometimes a sample part is X-rayed to confirm the radiopacity or checked for uniform color dispersion. Manufacturers also often retain retain samples from each lot – a few pessaries stored for future reference or additional testing if needed.
Functional Testing: Beyond visual and dimensional checks, pessaries can undergo functional tests to simulate usage. A compression/retention test is one example: the pessary may be compressed (folded) a set number of times or kept under a compressive strain for an extended period, then examined to see if it returns to shape and retains its supporting force. Silicone’s nature is to have an excellent memory (especially platinum-cured silicones with low compression set), so the device should not deform permanently. If a design includes an internal support (like a ring with an embedded spring or a Gellhorn’s stem), tests ensure these features withstand expected forces. Some manufacturers perform tensile or tear testing on sample parts (or test slabs molded from the same material) to verify the silicone’s tear strength meets requirements – important because a torn pessary could pose a risk if it fragments during removal. Aging tests are also common: accelerated aging (e.g. heating parts at 50–70°C for several weeks) can simulate years of use, and the aged samples are then checked for any hardening, tackiness, or loss of strength. These tests give confidence that the pessary will remain safe and effective over its intended lifespan.
Sterilization and Biocompatibility Assurance: If the pessary is provided sterile, the QA process includes sterilization validation and routine monitoring. Biological indicators or chemical integrators may be used in sample packages to confirm that the sterilization cycle (e.g., EtO gas exposure) has penetrated and achieved the required lethality. Residual EtO levels in the product are measured to ensure they fall below allowable limits. For gamma-sterilized products, dosimetry is used to confirm the dose. Additionally, manufacturers often conduct biocompatibility testing on the final device (not just the raw material) to account for any manufacturing residues. For long-term vaginal contact devices, tests might include cytotoxicity, sensitization, and irritation on the finished pessary, confirming there are no adverse effects – these tests are done per ISO 10993 standards and documented in the device’s regulatory file. Every lot of product is assigned a lot number and accompanied by a Device History Record (DHR) that compiles all production and inspection data for that lot, as required by quality systems. Traceability is critical: if any issue is discovered, the lot number allows tracking back to raw material lots, machine settings, and QC results. Manufacturers maintain meticulous documentation at every step, from mold maintenance logs to training records for personnel, to comply with ISO 13485 and FDA Good Manufacturing Practices. This ensures that the silicone pessaries delivered to healthcare providers are consistent, safe, and effective. As one industry guide notes, robust QA processes include everything from material certificates and sterilization validation to in-process controls and final testing – all aimed at defect prevention and patient safety.
Overview of Common Pessary Types
Silicone pessaries come in many shapes and sizes to address different anatomical needs. Below is an overview of some common pessary types and their typical uses (all are usually made from soft silicone):
Ring Pessary: A simple ring-shaped device (looks like a flexible silicone O-ring). Rings are often the first-line choice for mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse and for stress urinary incontinence. They are easy to insert and remove, and can be used with or without a central support membrane. Use case: Supports the vaginal walls and bladder neck; often recommended for first- or second-degree prolapse. Available in many sizes (50 mm up to 100+ mm diameters) to fit patients of varying anatomies.
Gellhorn Pessary: A space-filling pessary shaped like a round disk or “cap” with a small knob or stem in the center. The stem extends upward to sit against the cervix. Use case: Typically used for more advanced prolapse (third-degree or beyond) when a ring pessary isn’t sufficient. The Gellhorn’s broad disk supports the vaginal apex and prevents the uterus or vaginal vault from descending, while the knob helps keep it in position. Insertion and removal usually require a healthcare provider due to its size and shape.
Donut Pessary: A thick torus (doughnut shape) that provides substantial support by its bulk. It’s basically a ring pessary with a much thicker cross-section. Use case: Often used as an alternative to the Gellhorn for advanced prolapse, especially in women who cannot retain a ring pessary. The larger body of the donut can help it stay in place in a wide vaginal space. Despite its size, the donut pessary compresses for insertion and is quite soft due to the silicone’s flexibility.
Cube Pessary: A cube-shaped device with concave sides and usually perforations (holes) on each face. The cube is compressed and inserted, and once in place, it creates a gentle suction against the vaginal walls. Use case: Another option for severe prolapse, particularly when other types have failed. The suction effect helps the cube hold itself in position even in women with very weak pelvic floor tone. However, cubes generally must be removed daily or a few times a week to relieve pressure and prevent ulceration of the vaginal walls (their suction can cause irritation if left too long).
Shaatz Pessary: A Shaatz pessary is similar in appearance to a Gellhorn (round disk) but without a central knob. It has a concave shape. Use case: Used for moderate prolapse; the concave side is placed upward toward the vaginal apex to create a slight suction and support, much like a Gellhorn but with a less pronounced central support.
Gehrung Pessary: This pessary has a U-shaped or horseshoe configuration, often with malleable wires embedded in silicone which allow it to be manually shaped. Use case: It’s particularly useful for prolapse in combination with a significant cystocele or rectocele, or in cases of a retroverted uterus. The Gehrung can be bent to accommodate unusual anatomies and provide support both posteriorly and anteriorly. It is usually fitted by a specialist due to its adjustable nature.
There are other specialized pessaries (e.g., the Incontinence Dish which is a ring with a support and a knob to help with urinary incontinence, the Marland pessary which is an oval shape, and inflatable pessaries), but the ones above are the most widely used. The choice of type and size is highly individual – clinicians often try different shapes during fitting. All these devices share the common theme of being made from soft, flexible silicone that can be folded for insertion and is resilient inside the body. The variety of shapes underscores why working with knowledgeable manufacturers and having access to many sizes is important in pessary provision.
OEM/ODM Collaboration and Support
For medical device companies or healthcare providers looking to develop or source a silicone pessary, partnering with an experienced medical-grade silicone manufacturer is invaluable. Whether you are modifying an existing design or inventing a new type of pessary, an OEM/ODM (Original Equipment/Design Manufacturer) can provide end-to-end support – from initial prototyping through scaling up to mass production – all while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Prototyping and Design Iteration: Early in development, a good manufacturing partner will assist with design feasibility and rapid prototyping. This might involve creating prototype pessaries using single-cavity aluminum molds or even 3D printing molds to cast silicone for quick samples. These prototypes let you evaluate the fit, function, and patient comfort of the design. An experienced silicone molder can offer feedback on how to adjust features for better moldability or durability (Design for Manufacturability). For example, they may suggest slight geometry changes to reduce stress points or improve how the part fills in injection molding. Many contract manufacturers emphasize “early supplier involvement” – meaning they help refine the design before expensive production tooling is made. This collaboration can save time and cost by catching potential issues early. Some manufacturers have in-house tool-making and can quickly turn around LSR prototype molds, allowing real injection-molded samples of the pessary to be evaluated in clinical trials or cadaver tests. During this phase, the OEM partner also helps select the exact silicone formulation and any color or radiopaque additives, drawing on their material expertise.
Scaling Up to Production: Once the design is finalized and tested, the focus shifts to scaling up manufacturing. The OEM/ODM will design and build high-precision multi-cavity steel molds for volume production. Process engineers develop optimized molding processes (temperature, injection speed, cure time) and then perform process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ – Installation, Operational, and Performance Qualification) to ensure the process consistently produces in-spec parts. If demand is expected to be large, they might implement automation like robotic part handling or vision systems for inspection. An experienced manufacturer will also plan for capacity scaling – for instance, having additional molding machines or duplicate tooling ready if your product demand grows. Throughout, ISO 13485 quality system protocols are followed so that every step is documented and controlled. For you as the product owner, having a manufacturing partner with this infrastructure removes a huge burden. As one molding company noted, the “secret to a successful project” is working with a capable supplier that guides you from material selection and design all the way to full production, ensuring the required expertise at each step.
Regulatory and Documentation Support: Medical devices like pessaries require significant documentation for regulatory compliance (FDA, CE Marking, etc.). An OEM/ODM experienced in medical products can greatly assist here. They will provide documentation such as the material’s biocompatibility certificates (ISO 10993 test results), the manufacturing process validation reports, and sterility validation reports – all of which may be needed in your regulatory submissions. They also maintain the Device Master Record (DMR) for the product, which includes the drawings, specifications, and work instructions for manufacturing. If design or process changes are needed down the line, they’ll follow proper change control. Many manufacturers also have ISO 13485 certification, which you can leverage to show that the production is done under an accredited quality system. Some offer assistance with packaging design (ensuring it meets ISO 11607 for sterile packaging) and can manage sterilization processes for you. In essence, the right partner doesn’t just make the part – they become an extension of your development team, providing expertise in DFM, tool design, material science, and quality control. This collaboration shortens development time and helps avoid costly mistakes, ultimately getting a safe, effective pessary to market faster.
Finally, OEM/ODM manufacturers can offer flexible production models to suit your business – for example, initial low-volume production for clinical evaluation, then ramping up to high volume when you launch. They can also accommodate customization (such as unique colors or branding on the pessary) and even design custom fitting kits or accessories if needed. Throughout the partnership, clear communication is key. Regular design reviews, prototype evaluations, and feedback loops will ensure that the final product meets both your specifications and the end-users’ needs. By leveraging the experience of a contract manufacturer specialized in silicone medical molding, you gain not only manufacturing capacity but also peace of mind that all technical and regulatory aspects are being handled professionally. In summary, collaborating with a qualified medical-grade silicone manufacturer means you have support from concept to production to post-market, which is essential for a successful pessary product launch.
Pessary FAQs
What is a silicone pessary used for?
A silicone pessary is a removable device placed in the vagina to support pelvic organs and relieve symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse; some designs also help stress urinary incontinence.
What is the best pessary for a prolapsed bladder?
Most clinicians start with a ring pessary (often a ring with support) for mild–moderate anterior prolapse (cystocele); more advanced prolapse may need a space-occupying option like a Gellhorn—choice is individualized by fitting.
How long does a silicone ring pessary last?
With proper cleaning and checks, a silicone ring pessary can be reused for several years; clinics typically remove/inspect and, if needed, change it every 4–12 months.
How to insert a silicone pessary ring?
Wash hands → fold the ring at its flexible points → apply water-based lubricant → gently insert, aiming back toward the tailbone, until it sits comfortably behind the pubic bone. (Your provider should teach and confirm the fit.)
Who is not a good candidate for a pessary?
People unable to attend follow-up or self-manage, and those with active vaginal/pelvic infection, unexplained vaginal bleeding, known genital tract cancer, severe untreated vaginal atrophy, or prior pelvic radiation are generally poor candidates.
Hi, I am the author of this article. For the past 10 years or so, we have been dedicated to meeting the custom silicone product needs of our customers from over 50 countries and regions around the world.
If you have any questions, please contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
