Hypothesis / aims of study
Vaginal pessary is commonly used in women with pelvic organ prolapse with high efficacy. However, it requires regular replacement of the pessary every few months. This posed a heavy burden on the current health care systems and personally for the woman. Women are now encouraged and empowered to have self- management of vagina pessary. Unfortunately, the acceptance of the self- management remains low in our locality. The aim of this study is to evaluate their attitude towards self-management of vaginal pessary and the reason of their preference in doing self-replacement.
Study design, materials and methods
Women who attended the urogynaecological clinic in March 2023 with the diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were invited for this survey. Their basic demographics, POPQ staging of prolapse, current status of using pessary and their preference of self-managing the vaginal pessary were enquired. Women were asked if they aware of the option of self-management of vaginal pessary and whether they preferred to have vaginal pessary and self-management. The reasons of their preference were explored. In women who have declined to use vaginal pessary or discontinue the use of vaginal pessary, their reason for not having pessary were also explored. Either the attending gynaecologist or a research assistant helped with the patients to fill in the questionnaires in case they need help.
Interpretation of results
Majority of women accept vaginal pessary as their treatment for POP. However, over 25% of them would like to have self-management. Their hesitation is mainly they are not confident and not want it to be done on their own. In women who refused to have vaginal pessary, the reason are mainly due to the complication arise from vaginal pessary in women who had tried pessary before.