Pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse as an alternative treatment method
- Authors: Koshulko P.A.1, Bondarenko K.D.1, Beldenkova P.A.1, Starikov S.Y.1, Koptelov I.S.1, Ivleva Y.M.1, Nikolaeva A.V.1, Pokonina A.A.1, Savvateeva K.D.1, Islamova D.G.1, Saakyan A.A.1, Kulieva V.A.1, Lisovol E.A.1, Akopian L.V.1, Darvishi M.1
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Affiliations:
- Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
- Issue: Vol 22, No 1 (2026)
- Pages: 45-52
- Section: GYNECOLOGY. ORIGINAL REPORTS
- Published: 02.07.2026
- URL: https://ojrs.abvpress.ru/ojrs/article/view/1473
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.17650/1994-4098-2026-22-1-45-52
- ID: 1473
Cite item
Abstract
Aim. To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Dr. Arabin pessaries in postmenopausal women with different stages of pelvic organ prolapse as an alternative to surgical treatment.
Materials and methods. The study included 300 women aged 60–80 years, divided into three groups according to Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage: stage I – 100 patients fitted with a ring pessary (group 1); stages II and III – 100 and 100 patients fitted with a cube pessary (groups 2 and 3, respectively). All participants underwent a full clinical and instrumental assessment, including POP-Q, Baden–Walker scale, pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal and transabdominal), cough test, Valsalva maneuver, and standardized questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire (PFDI-20), Quality of Life (QOL)). Treatment efficacy was evaluated after 6 months.
Results. Baseline anthropometric and somatic characteristics did not differ significantly between groups (p >0.05). Significant differences were identified for obstetric history and social status. After 6 months of pessary use, all groups demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in pelvic pain, dyspareunia, vaginal bulge sensation, urinary disorders, and defecation difficulties. PFDI-20 decreased by 45.8 % in group 1, by 45.7 % in group 2, and by 45.2 % in group 3 (p <0.05). QOL scores improved 1.7–2.3 times. The greatest positive dynamics were observed in patients with stage I–II pelvic organ prolapse, although women with stage III also showed substantial clinical improvement.
Conclusion. Dr. Arabin pessaries represent an effective conservative treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse in older women, significantly reducing symptom severity and improving quality of life. The method is particularly valuable for patients with contraindications to surgery. These findings support the wider implementation of pessary therapy in routine gynecological practice.
About the authors
Pavel A. Koshulko
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Author for correspondence.
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2806-4017
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
K. D. Bondarenko
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-1169-5686
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
P. A. Beldenkova
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-9732-7081
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
S. Yu. Starikov
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-8094-1268
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
I. S. Koptelov
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0001-6131-7808
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
Yu. M. Ivleva
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-9499-4445
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
A. V. Nikolaeva
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-4427-5580
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
A. A. Pokonina
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-2067-5177
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
K. D. Savvateeva
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-9452-285X
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
D. G. Islamova
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-7957-8449
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
A. A. Saakyan
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-3157-3175
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
V. A. Kulieva
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0008-2579-0578
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
E. A. Lisovol
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-1647-8680
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
L. V. Akopian
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-5058-8533
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
M. Darvishi
Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia
Email: nikolconnik@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-6850-078X
Russian Federation, 10 / 1 Ploshchad Minina and Pozharskogo, Nizhny Novgorod 603005
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