A vaginal pessary is a plastic device that fits into your vagina to help support your uterus (womb), vagina, bladder or rectum.

The pessary is most often used for prolapse of the uterus. Prolapse means that your uterus droops or sags into the vaginal canal because the muscles and ligaments that should support it are weak. This may occur after you give birth or have pelvic surgery. Prolapse of the uterus is usually fixed with surgery, but you can also use a vaginal pessary to help keep the uterus in place.

A pessary can help if you have a cystocele (when your bladder droops down into your vagina) or if you have a rectocele (when the wall of your rectum bulges into the bottom of your vagina).

A pessary can also help many women who have stress urinary incontinence (the leaking of urine when you cough, strain or exercise). Pregnant women who have incontinence can also use a vaginal pessary.