Incontinence Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Incontinence, including details on urinary incontinence, bladder control, treatment, causes.

Effectiveness of a new self-positioning pessary for the management of urinary incontinence in women.

Farrell SA, Baydock S, Amir B, Fanning C

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new self-positioning women's incontinence pessary. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two women were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Evaluation included baseline questionnaires, physical examination including pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scores, cotton swab testing, and assessment of Kegel strength. A pad test and 7 day urolog were also performed before and after pessary fitting. RESULTS: Incontinence questionnaire scores were all significantly reduced as percent of baseline: stress incontinence, 7 of 15 (47%) (P = .000); urge incontinence, 5 of 14 (36%) (P = .002); the urogenital distress inventory (short form); 2 of 6 (33%) (P = .002); and incontinence impact questionnaire (short form), 4 of 8 (50%) (P = .002). Leaking episodes decreased by 4 (7 day urolog) (P = .028) and pad weights by 11 g (P = .006). Among women successfully fitted at 2 weeks, 16 of 21 or 76% continued using their pessary at 1 year. There were no complications with pessary use. CONCLUSION: The Uresta incontinence pessary significantly reduces urinary incontinence and is easy for women to use.

Published 30 April 2007 in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 196(5): 474.e1-8.
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