Has a pessary ring helped anyone with menopause-related bladder incontinence?

[Slidingthrulife]

I am 57 years of age and I have severe bladder incontinence. It’s impacting on my every day life down to what l I do and what I wear as I am so scared of leaking. I am about to have a pessary ring fitted and I am sceptical about it. Does anyone have any experience of this and does it actually work? It’s making me feel bloody miserable if I am honest

Is this the estring?

I'm hoping to get one soon. Cutting out all caffeine really helped me - have you tried this? HRT seems to aggravate my bladder, unfortunately.

its a portia polythene ring - looks like I should be hanging curtains!

I have - I drink mainly water and have really tried in this weather to keep hydrated but that just makes me want to pee more!

Is it being offered as a temporary measure or will you be having surgery at some point?

Have you seen a gynaecologist for assessment?

It has helped me. I went through the menopause at 42, 17 years hrt, but when we moved here,new GP wouldn't prescribe. I was using Ovestin cream externally, and vaginal pessaries, now just pessaries twice a week. I wasn't incontinent,as such. I wanted to pu all the time, I had lower mid pain,in the bladder area.i had to find a toilet quickly. Phone surgery,,bring in sample, which was always negative. I've had UTI and kidney infection, I knew it wasn't that. The pain was. awful. At this point I met my DD, partners DM and aunt. (Saw his DM yesterday) Both had cystocele following hysterectomy. One on hrt, the other never took it. DM has had 3 operations to date,is incontinent, and awaiting a 4th..Aunt is now awaiting her 3rd surgery. I had a ring pessary fitted 2 years ago. Bladder still managed to move down if I push down to have my bowels open. I do pelvic floor exercises to get it back up. I do them religiously every single night. It doesn't stop me having sex. Uro gynae consultant who fitted it, said I had severe vaginal atrophy, and that all women need estrogen. She forgot to put in the covering letter that she wanted me to resume hrt,so the GP wouldn't prescribe it..

Ah, sorry. I did wonder when you talked about it being fitted as you just insert the estring yourself.

@Nannyfannybanny If you want HRT your GP has to give you sound medical reasons for not prescribing. Don't be told you can't have it.

I'm going to PM you with something that I don't want to post here.

Hi I am on HRT - that hasn’t been a problem at all. It’s just this awful incontinence that is getting worse!

It’s a “see how you go” situation so will give it a few months but if not then I would like to be referred to the hospital

I had Bulkamid. Not sure if it works for everyone but it has been superb. It was being trialled. Have had it 5 years and no more leaks. Really life changing.

I wasn't trying to give the impression I'm anti surgery..poster wanted to know if the ring pessary works,it has for me..I think it's a fluke that 2 ladies I will be related to by my DD marriage,had so many issues, just goes to show, how many have cystocele.

Are you on HRT? I've found it's made my bladder worse.

Were you offered the ring as a way to reduce or prevent bladder incontinence OP? As I understand it, they're for uterine/cervical prolapse, as they essentially keep everything held up, rather than allowing it to collapse down and out of the vagina. It's just a rubber ring, after all, why would it prevent incontinence if it's in your vagina?

It's not a rubber ring,it's silicone. I have one for a cystocele,a bladder prolapse,so as I said before,yes it does help with urinary incontinence
Yes, your bladder drops down into the vagina, surely it's not difficult to see that this would cause incontinence, because of pressure. It also caused quite severe pain.