A pessary is a small plastic or silicone medical device or form of pharmaceutical preparation which is inserted into the vagina or rectum and held in place by the pelvic floor musculature. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Silicones (more accurately called polymerized siloxanes or polysiloxanes) are inorganic-organic polymers with the chemical formula [R2SiO]n, where R = organic groups such as methyl, ethyl, and phenyl. ... Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmacon is drug, and logos is science) is the study of how chemical substances interfere with living systems. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis. ...

Therapeutic pessaries

Uses

A therapeutic pessary is used to support the uterus, vagina, bladder or rectum. A pessary is most commonly used to treat prolapse of the uterus. It is also used to treat stress urinary incontinence, a retroverted uterus, cystocele and rectocele. Also, in the original form of the Hippocratic Oath the pessary is mentioned as a possible and unethical way to perform an abortion. This article is about female reproductive anatomy. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... In anatomy, the urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular, and distensible (or elastic) organ that sits on the pelvic floor in mammals. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... Prolapse literally means To fall out of place. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... A retroverted uterus is a uterus that is tilted backwards instead of forwards. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... A rectocele is an abnormal bulging of the rectovaginal septum (which is normally a semi-rigid divider between the rectum and vagina) into the vaginal area. ... A twelfth-century Byzantine manuscript of the Oath in the form of a cross. ...

The pessary is similar to the outer ring of a diaphragm. It can be placed temporarily or permanently and must be fitted by a physician. Most pessaries can be worn during intercourse. The diaphragm is a cervical barrier type of birth control. ... For other uses, see Doctor. ... It has been suggested that Duration of sexual intercourse be merged into this article or section. ...

Care

A physician will provide instruction for the proper care of a pessary. Some patients are instructed to take out, clean with soap and water, and reinsert the pessary every few days or weeks. Others will need to visit the doctor for cleaning.

Side effects and complications

A pessary can cause increased vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, ulceration, bleeding, and dyspareunia (painful intercourse for the male or female). Cervical cancer is more likely in older women with a prolonged history of pessary use. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... An ulcer (from Latin ulcus) is an open sore of the skin, eyes or mucous membrane, often caused by an initial abrasion and generally maintained by an inflammation and/or an infection. ... For other uses, see Bleeding (disambiguation). ... Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. ... Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer of the cervix. ...

Pharmaceutical pessaries

Uses

A pharmaceutical pessary is used as a very effective means of delivery of pharmaceutical substances easily absorbed through the skin of the vagina or rectum, or intended to have action in the locality, for example against inflammation or infection, or on the uterus. An alternative term is suppository, which tends to be used when the primary use is rectal. The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The rectum (from the Latin rectum intestinum, meaning straight intestine) is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. ... This article is about female reproductive anatomy. ... Four 500mg acetaminophen/paracetamol suppositories A suppository is a medicine that is inserted either into the rectum (rectal suppository) or into the vagina (vaginal suppository) where it melts. ...

Description

The active ingredient(s) will usually be mixed with a suitable oil (such as cocoa butter) which is solid at room temperature to assist insertion, but melts at body temperature, to enable dispersion. Cocoa butter, also called theobroma oil, is the pale-yellow, edible natural vegetable fat of the cacao bean. ... Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when temperature surrounding is very different. ...

Complications

It can happen that the oil will leak, with the potential to spoil clothing. The oil may also cause rapid deterioration of any latex rubber and can cause problems with contraceptives made of these materials. This article is about the typesetting system. ...

Occlusive pessaries

An occlusive pessary is generally used in combination with spermicide as a contraceptive; please refer to cervical cap for more details. Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. ... The cervical cap is a cervical barrier type of birth control. ...