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The pessary process: Spanish-speaking Latinas’ experience

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International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Little is known about women’s experience with conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse. We sought to understand the experiences of Spanish-speaking women who choose a pessary.

Methods

Spanish-speaking women from a urogynecological pessary clinic were recruited for this study. Interviews were conducted and the women were asked about their pessary experience including questions involving symptom relief, pessary management, and quality of life. All interview transcripts were analyzed using the qualitative methods of grounded theory.

Results

Sixteen Spanish-speaking women who had been using a pessary for at least 1 month were enrolled in this study. Grounded theory methodology yielded several preliminary themes, in which one major concept emerged as a pessary adjustment process. In this process patients had to first decide to use a pessary, either because of physician’s recommendations or out of personal choice. Second, the patients entered an adjustment period in which they learned to adapt to the pessary, both physically and mentally. Lastly, if the patients properly adjusted to wearing a pessary they experienced relief of bothersome symptoms.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that Spanish-speaking women go through a process in order to adjust to a pessary. Furthermore, the physician plays a major role in not only determining a woman’s decision to use a pessary, but also whether she can adjust to wearing the pessary. This process is most successful when patients receive comprehensive management from a healthcare team of physicians and nurses who can provide individualized and continuous pessary care.

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Funding

NIDDK Career Development Award 1-K23-DK080227-01 (JTA).

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Claudia Sevilla & Aqsa Khan

  2. Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA

    Cecilia K. Wieslander

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Alexandriah Alas

  4. UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Sally Maliski

  5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Gena Dunivan & Rebecca Rogers

  6. Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Jennifer T. Anger

  7. Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 99 N. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 307, Beverly Hills, CA, 90211, USA

    Jennifer T. Anger

Authors
  1. Claudia Sevilla
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  2. Cecilia K. Wieslander
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  3. Alexandriah Alas
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  4. Gena Dunivan
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  5. Aqsa Khan
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  6. Sally Maliski
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  7. Rebecca Rogers
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  8. Jennifer T. Anger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer T. Anger.

Appendix 1: Pessary interview topical guide

Appendix 1: Pessary interview topical guide

  1. 1.

    Tell me about your overall experience with a pessary?

  2. 2.

    Why did you get a pessary placed?

  3. 3.

    How long have you used a pessary?

  4. 4.

    Tell me about your routine for changing and cleaning your pessary?

  5. 5.

    Are you sexually active? If so, do you take out the pessary during intercourse?

  6. 6.

    How does your partner feel about your pessary?

  7. 7.

    What education did you receive about pessaries when first deciding to use a pessary?

  8. 8.

    Did you have any hesitation when first deciding to use a pessary? If so, why?

  9. 9.

    What difficulties or problems have you had with the pessary?

  10. 10.

    What symptoms have been relieved or worsened as a result of using a pessary?

  11. 11.

    Why did you choose a pessary over other treatment options such as surgery?

  12. 12.

    How do you feel about your quality of life since you’ve started using a pessary?

  13. 13.

    What advice would you give to a woman who is considering a pessary?

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Sevilla, C., Wieslander, C.K., Alas, A. et al. The pessary process: Spanish-speaking Latinas’ experience. Int Urogynecol J 24, 939–946 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1946-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-012-1946-1

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