What is a Pessary Ring with Support?

Key Takeaway:

A “pessary ring with support” is a soft, removable vaginal device (typically made of silicone) that helps hold up pelvic organs when pelvic-floor support weakens. It is commonly used for mild to moderate Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) or stress incontinence. When properly fitted and maintained, it can relieve symptoms, improve comfort, and delay or avoid surgery.

Must read: A Comprehensive Guide to Vaginal Pessaries

Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)

Pelvic Organ Prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues supporting pelvic organs weaken. As a result, organs such as the uterus, bladder, or rectum may descend or bulge downward into the vaginal canal.

Common risk factors include childbirth, aging, chronic heavy lifting, obesity, long-term constipation or straining, and weakening of pelvic-floor muscles as mentioned on Cleveland Clinic.

Symptoms of POP can vary depending on which organs are affected. Many women experience:

• A sensation of pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area.
• A feeling of bulging or a lump coming down into the vagina.
• Urinary or bowel issues: e.g. difficulty emptying bladder or bowel, frequent urination, or leakage (especially under strain).
• Discomfort during physical activity or intercourse.

For many women, POP impacts daily life: walking, lifting, exercise or even sitting may feel uncomfortable.

What Is a “Pessary Ring with Support”  And How It Works

A vaginal pessary is a device, usually made of soft, non-absorbent silicone, which is inserted into the vagina to support weakened or prolapsed pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, vaginal walls, etc.).

Pessaries are a well-established conservative option: they don’t fix the underlying weakness, but they help restore and maintain pelvic organs’ proper position, reducing prolapse symptoms.

Research on PubMed shows that pessaries lead to significant improvements in quality of life. According to their 2022 systematic review, women using pessaries experienced a 46-point reduction in pelvic floor distress scores and a 36-point improvement in quality of life scores after treatment.

The Ring Pessary with Support: Specifics

Among various pessary types, the “ring with support” variant is one of the most commonly used. 

This version is ring-shaped and often has a supportive rim or slight structure that helps prop up the vaginal walls and any prolapsing organs. Because of its shape and flexibility, it is often easier to insert and remove compared with more rigid or space-filling pessaries.

When inserted correctly, it holds the bladder, uterus or vaginal walls in a lifted position, preventing descent or bulging, relieving pressure, fullness, and urinary/bowel symptoms.

Because it is removable and adjustable, it offers a non-surgical, reversible way to manage POP while you evaluate other options (e.g. pelvic floor therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery later).

Who Is a Ring-with-Support Pessary Good For

A ring pessary with support is particularly well-suited for:

• Women with mild to moderate pelvic organ prolapse (e.g., uterine prolapse, cystocele, rectocele) or early-stage POP.
• Women seeking a non-surgical, conservative option - for example, those who still want future fertility, pregnancy, or want to delay surgery.
• Women with stress urinary incontinence caused or aggravated by POP - pessaries often help reduce leakage during coughing, sneezing or exercise.
• Those for whom surgery is risky due to age, health conditions or personal preference.

Benefits and Effectiveness

Using a ring-with-support pessary offers multiple advantages:

• Symptom relief without surgery. Many women report reduced pelvic pressure, improved bladder or bowel function, and better comfort in daily activities.
• Improved quality of life. A recent 2025 study by MDPI found high satisfaction among pessary users, with substantial symptom improvement and few side effects.
• Cost-effective compared with surgery. Pessaries are reusable, and savings accrue over time when surgery is delayed or avoided altogether.
• Flexibility and reversibility. Because the pessary is removable, it supports self-management; many women can insert, remove, and clean it themselves once they are trained.
• Suitable for women who may want future pregnancies, or are otherwise not good surgical candidates.

Risks, Maintenance and Long-Term Considerations

A pessary is not without possible downsides. Because it is a foreign object inserted into the vagina, it requires ongoing maintenance and periodic review.

Common issues and considerations:

• Vaginal irritation, discharge, unpleasant odor or increased risk of infection. These are among the most frequently reported side effects.
• Need for regular cleaning and follow-up. Some pessaries can be left in place for months; others require removal and cleaning every few weeks or even daily.
• Risk of vaginal wall erosion, sores, or very rarely fistula formation if the device is ill-fitted or hygiene is poor.
• Possibility it won’t fully resolve prolapse or prevent progression. A pessary manages symptoms, it doesn't repair the underlying weakness. If prolapse worsens, more invasive treatment may become necessary.
• Need for periodic assessment & possible size adjustments. A pessary that fits poorly might slip out or cause discomfort; finding the right fit sometimes takes trial and error under clinician supervision.

Because of these factors, pessary users typically need regular follow-up appointments with a clinician, at least every few months, to ensure proper fit and vaginal health.

Where You Can Buy a Ring Pessary with Support - What to Look For?

Because pessaries are a medical device and require correct sizing and fitting, they are often provided via a healthcare provider (OB/GYN or pelvic-floor specialist).

That said, for women in the USA who have discussed pessary use with their clinician and seek a device online, there are legitimate medical-grade options.

Why is SciMed the best choice for Pessary with Support in the USA?

Once you know your size and type, you can purchase a pessary at SciMed. You can buy our Pessary with Support that offers:

1. FDA-Approved Pessaries.
2. Available in Sizes 0 to 7 (1.75" to 3.5").
3. Made using Medical-Grade Silicone, which is reusable, hygienic, and built for long-term comfort.
4. Affordable pricing compared to other brands selling pessaries in the USA.
5. We offer free Standard 7-10 Business Days shipping on all orders across the USA. Also, we offer worldwide shipping, Free Standard 7 Business Days shipping is valid on international orders.

Conclusion

A pessary ring with support offers a straightforward, non-surgical, cost-effective way to manage pelvic organ prolapse and related incontinence symptoms. It can bring immediate relief and significantly improve quality of life, especially for women with mild-to-moderate POP, or those wanting to avoid or delay surgery.

Whether you’re still having children, prefer conservative treatment, or simply want a reversible solution, a ring-with-support pessary may be right for you. That said, proper fitting by a clinician, regular follow-up, and careful hygiene are essential to ensure safety and success.

If you think pessary might work for you, talk to your gynecologist. And if you opt to buy one online like ours, do so only under professional guidance.

FAQs

1. What is a support pessary?

A support pessary is a vaginal device with a membrane or shelf that actively lifts prolapsed organs. The ring pessary with support is the most common type because it is easy to insert and remove and works well for both bladder and uterine prolapse.

2. How to insert a ring pessary with support?

Wash hands and the pessary, fold it at the notches, apply water-based lubricant, and insert upward and backward like a tampon. Release so it unfolds high in the vagina. Your clinician will demonstrate the exact motion during fitting.

3. How does a pessary ring with support work?

The outer ring rests behind the pubic bone and under the cervix while the central membrane blocks the prolapsed bladder or uterus from dropping downward, immediately reducing bulging and leakage.

4. How do I know if I need a pessary ring with support?

If you feel vaginal bulging, pelvic pressure, or have stress urinary incontinence caused by prolapse, ask your doctor for a pelvic exam. A trial fitting is the only way to know whether a pessary will help you.

5. Can I wear a pessary ring with support all the time?

Yes. Most women wear it 24/7 and remove it weekly or monthly for cleaning. Some remove it nightly if preferred. As long as it remains comfortable and odor-free, continuous wear is safe with regular check-ups.