How to Use Pessaries
- 1). Wash your hands thoroughly before beginning to reduce the chance of infection. Soap and hot water are sufficient to clean your hands.
- 2). Remove the pessary and applicator from the wrapper. Not all pessaries come with an applicator. If yours does not, you will use your fingers to insert the pessary into your vagina. Trim your nails before beginning, making certain no sharp edges remain.
- 3). Push the pessary into the end of the applicator. There should be a hole at one end for inserting the pessary. If not, check the packaging for instructions.
- 4). Sit down with your legs spread and bent at the knees or lie down on a stable surface with your knees bent and drawn up toward your chest.
- 5). Insert the pessary as far as comfortably possible into your vagina using the supplied applicator or your fingers if no applicator was included with your product. Push gently and stop if you hit resistance or feel discomfort.
- 6). Depress the plunger on the applicator to release the pessary into your vagina and then remove the applicator slowly by pulling it out of your vagina.
- 7). Wash your hands again and dispose of the applicator and packaging safely. Keep all medications out of the reach of pets and children.
- 8). Wear a panty liner to protect your clothing from stains, as the pessary will melt once inside your vagina and may leak out during periods of prolonged standing.
- 9). Use an alternative form of birth control while using a pessary, as it may damage condoms, making them ineffective at preventing pregnancy.
- 10
Avoid using tampons while using a pessary. Wear sanitary napkins during menstruation until your entire course of treatment is complete.