Prolapse & Pessaries

Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse

• Up to 40% of women may experience POP in their lifetime.

• Symptoms can include pelvic pressure, bulging, urinary leakage, or difficulty emptying the bladder/bowels.

• Risk factors include childbirth, aging, menopause, and genetic predisposition.

Current Treatment Options

• Observation: For mild cases with no bothersome symptoms.

• Pessaries: Simple silicone devices placed in the vagina to support organs. Widely used, effective short-term, but can be difficult to manage long-term.

• Pelvic Floor Therapy: Exercises and training to strengthen muscles.

• Surgery: For severe cases or when conservative care fails. Carries risks and sometimes recurrence.

Where Innovation Is Needed

Traditional pessaries are low-cost and accessible but have limitations:

• Up to 50% of women stop using them within a year.

• Can cause irritation or infection if not monitored closely.

• Require frequent clinic visits.

How Smart Pessary Aims to Help

• Builds on the trusted concept of pessary support.

• Adds real-time health monitoring and reminders.

• Designed for comfort, self-management, and peace of mind.

• Aligns with modern digital health and telemedicine trends.

Resources

• American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)

• ACOG – Pelvic Organ Prolapse Patient FAQs

• NIH – Pelvic Floor Disorders