What is a pessary?
A vaginal pessary is a small, flexible medical device inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, rectum) when the pelvic floor muscles have weakened. It is the leading non-surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) Practice Bulletin 214 recommends pessaries as first-line non-surgical management for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.
SciMed silicone ring pessaries are FDA-cleared Class II medical devices (Product Code HHN, 21 CFR 884.5350) manufactured from medical-grade silicone. Silicone is non-porous, non-latex, hypoallergenic, and MRI-safe. Every SciMed pessary is shipped same-day from our San Jose, California facility with free US shipping and 30-day size exchange.
Why buy your pessary from SciMed?
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Direct-buy, no prescription needed. FDA-cleared silicone ring pessaries are legally available for direct patient purchase in the US.
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Manufacturer pricing. $49.99 vs typical $150-$400 provider-office price for the same clinical device. No distributor markup, no visit fees.
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US-made in San Jose, California. Domestic supply chain, no import delays, quality-controlled at source.
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HSA/FSA eligible. Use pre-tax dollars at checkout for 20-37% effective savings.
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30-day size exchange. Unopened, unused returns for size swap within 30 days.
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Free US shipping via same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2 PM PT.
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Discreet packaging. Plain outer packaging with no medical branding.
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Trusted by US clinics. NET-30 institutional accounts available for OB-GYN practices and hospitals.
Which SciMed pessary is right for you?
Ring Pessary WITH Support (from $49.99)
Best for: patients with pelvic organ prolapse AND stress urinary incontinence. The internal support diaphragm lifts the urethra to prevent stress leakage during coughing, sneezing, or physical activity. Sizes 0-8.
Ring Pessary WITHOUT Support (from $49.99)
Best for: patients with pelvic organ prolapse only (no incontinence). Simple ring shape with softer feel and slightly easier self-insertion. Widest size range: 0-9.
Fitting Pack — 3 Sizes for Home Trial ($129.99)
Best for: first-time buyers unsure of size. Get 3 consecutive sizes (typically 3-4-5) at home, try each in privacy, keep the fitting one and return the others for credit. Based on our 1,800+ fitting data, sizes 3-5 fit 66.5% of women.
Fitting Combo — 2 Sizes ($89.99)
Best for: buyers with a known approximate size range. Two consecutive sizes at a modest savings vs individual pessaries.
Clinical Fitting Kit — 7 Sizes for OB-GYN Practices ($289.99)
Best for: OB-GYN, urogynecology, and family medicine obstetrics practices. Sizes 2-8 for in-office fitting. 50-60% cheaper than equivalent Milex or Bioteque kits through distributors. NET-30 available.
Storage Case ($9.99)
Discreet travel case fits any size 0-8 pessary. Extends device life 2-3x by preventing bacterial buildup between wears. Recommended for every pessary buyer.
Ring pessary size chart — sizes 0-9
| Size |
Diameter (mm) |
Diameter (inches) |
Typical patient profile |
| 0 |
44 mm |
1.75" |
Very small anatomy (rare); nulliparous with mild prolapse |
| 1 |
51 mm |
2.00" |
Small anatomy; nulliparous with mild prolapse |
| 2 |
57 mm |
2.25" |
Small-to-average; one vaginal birth |
| 3 |
64 mm |
2.50" |
Average adult; postpartum recovery |
| 4 |
70 mm |
2.75" |
MOST COMMON — 27.5% of fittings |
| 5 |
76 mm |
3.00" |
Multiparous; moderate prolapse |
| 6 |
83 mm |
3.25" |
Larger anatomy; grade 2-3 prolapse |
| 7 |
89 mm |
3.50" |
Larger anatomy; advanced prolapse |
| 8 |
95 mm |
3.75" |
Largest common adult size |
| 9 |
102 mm |
4.00" |
Available in without-support model only |
Fitting statistics from 1,800+ real SciMed patients (2022-2026):
- Size 4 = 27.5% of all fittings (most common single size)
- Sizes 3-5 combined = 66.5% of all fittings
- Sizes 2-6 combined = 86% of all fittings
- Return rate: under 0.3% (only 3 refunds across ~1,480 US patients)
See full data: What 1,800+ Real Pessary Fittings Tell Us About Sizing
SciMed pessary vs Milex, EvaCare, Uresta, Bioteque
| Feature |
SciMed direct |
Milex (via provider) |
EvaCare (via provider) |
Uresta |
Bioteque |
| Patient price (single) |
$49.99 |
$150-$400 |
$150-$400 |
$400-$500 |
$150-$400 |
| Material |
Silicone |
Silicone |
Silicone |
Silicone |
Silicone |
| FDA classification |
Class II, HHN |
Class II, HHN |
Class II, HHN |
Class II |
Class II, HHN |
| Country of origin |
USA (California) |
USA |
USA |
Canada |
Taiwan |
| Prescription required |
No |
Yes (via provider) |
Yes (via provider) |
Varies |
Yes (via provider) |
| Ships direct to patient |
Yes, 1-3 days |
Not standard |
Not standard |
Yes |
Via retailers |
| Fitting Pack option |
Yes ($129.99) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| HSA/FSA |
Yes at checkout |
Via receipt |
Via receipt |
Via receipt |
Via receipt |
Detailed comparisons: vs Milex · vs Uresta · vs Bioteque · vs EvaCare
Who uses a pessary? Common patient profiles
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Postpartum women (6+ months) with new pelvic pressure or prolapse symptoms
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Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women managing prolapse alongside vaginal atrophy
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Athletes and active women managing stress urinary incontinence during exercise
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Women avoiding surgery — pessary is first-line non-surgical option per ACOG
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Women preparing for surgery — pessary provides symptom relief while awaiting scheduled procedure
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Post-hysterectomy patients with vault prolapse (ring or Gellhorn depending on grade)
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Elderly women for whom surgery is contraindicated or not desired
Related: First Pessary Checklist · How to Talk to Your Doctor
Frequently asked questions — vaginal pessary
What is a pessary and how does it work?
A pessary is a soft silicone medical device inserted into the vagina to support pelvic organs when the pelvic floor muscles have weakened. It sits behind the pubic bone and lifts the prolapsed organs back into their normal position. Ring pessaries with support additionally lift the urethra to prevent stress leakage.
Do I need a prescription to buy a pessary?
No. FDA-cleared silicone ring pessaries are legally available for direct patient purchase in the US without prescription. SciMed direct-buy is standard patient-legal access.
What size pessary do I need?
Size 4 fits 27.5% of women in our 1,800+ patient data; sizes 3-5 together fit 66.5%. For first-time buyers unsure of size, the 3-Size Fitting Pack ($129.99) lets you try 3 consecutive sizes at home. Use the home measurement guide for a starting estimate.
How much does a pessary cost?
SciMed direct: $49.99 per pessary. Provider office (Milex, Bioteque, EvaCare): $150-$400 typical patient charge plus visit and facility fees. Direct-buy is 1/5 to 1/8 the total cost with the same clinical device. HSA/FSA eligible.
Can I have sex with a pessary in?
Yes for ring pessaries — they typically stay in during intercourse. Most partners cannot feel a well-fitted ring pessary. Some couples prefer to remove before sex; either is safe. See Pessary and Intimacy.
How long does a pessary last?
Typical replacement interval: 3-5 years. Watch for surface wear, deep protein deposits, or fit changes as signs of replacement need. Weekly cleaning with mild unscented soap extends device life.
Do pessaries cause UTIs?
Not directly. Properly-cleaned pessaries do NOT raise UTI risk above baseline. Risk factors: infrequent cleaning, wrong sizing, untreated vaginal atrophy. See Pessary and UTIs Prevention.
Can I exercise, run, or swim with a pessary in?
Yes to all. Silicone ring pessaries are designed for continuous wear including running, lifting, yoga (all poses), swimming, and daily activities. See Pessary and Exercise.
Is SciMed's pessary the same as Milex or EvaCare?
Clinically equivalent for ring pessary form factor — all FDA-cleared Class II silicone devices under Product Code HHN. Sizing is interchangeable. Difference is supply chain: SciMed sells direct at $49.99 vs $150-$400 through provider distribution.
Do you accept HSA or FSA cards?
Yes. HSA and FSA cards accepted directly at checkout. Save receipt for HSA administrator records.
How fast will my order ship?
Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2 PM PT from San Jose, California. Standard US delivery 1-3 business days. Free US shipping.
Can I return or exchange for a different size?
Yes. 30-day exchange for size in unopened, unused condition. Contact store@scimedstore.com to initiate.
Do you ship internationally?
Free US shipping. International shipping available with quote — email us. Some countries require import documentation for medical devices; buyer responsible for import compliance.
What is the difference between ring pessary with and without support?
With Support: has an internal diaphragm that lifts the urethra to prevent stress urinary incontinence. Best for patients with prolapse + SUI. Without Support: simple ring shape, softer feel, best for prolapse only. Both come in matching size ranges.
Can I use a pessary while pregnant?
Some patients use specialty pessaries during pregnancy under provider supervision. Direct-buy is NOT recommended for pregnancy use — talk to your OB-GYN.
What if my prolapse is very severe?
Grade 4 prolapse (procidentia) may not be well-managed by a ring pessary — talk to your provider about Gellhorn or donut pessary options. See Ring vs Gellhorn vs Donut.
How do I insert and remove a ring pessary?
Ring pessaries are designed for patient self-management. Fold the ring, insert (like a diaphragm), position behind the pubic bone. Removal: hook a finger under the ring and pull downward and outward. Detailed technique in our care guide.
How often should I clean my pessary?
Weekly removal, wash with mild unscented soap + warm water, rinse thoroughly, dry, reinsert or store in Pessary Storage Case. Some patients prefer nightly removal; either is fine.
Does Medicare or insurance cover a pessary?
Medicare covers pessary under HCPCS A4562 with proper documentation via provider prescription (typical 80% after deductible). Direct-buy from SciMed is HSA/FSA-eligible but generally not directly billable to insurance.
Are SciMed pessaries FDA-approved?
Yes. FDA-cleared Class II medical device under Product Code HHN, per 21 CFR 884.5350. Same regulatory pathway as Milex, EvaCare, and Bioteque silicone ring pessaries.
SciMed maintains the most comprehensive patient education library on ring pessary use. Explore our full guide collection:
