Pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse as an alternative treatment method

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

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

References

  1. Kulakov V.I., Prilepskaya V.N., Radzinskiy V.E. Pelvic organ prolapse: clinical aspects, diagnosis, treatment. Moscow: MEDpress-inform, 2021. (In Russ.).
  2. Clemons J., Aguilar V., Sokol E.R. Pessary management of pelvic organ prolapse: clinical outcomes and complications. Int Urogynecol J 2021;32(8):2205–12.
  3. Wu V., Farrell S.A. Conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse: current evidence. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2020;63(2): 397–409.
  4. Patel M., Mellen C., O’Sullivan D.M. Efficacy and safety of cube and ring pessaries in women with pelvic organ prolapse. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2023;29(4):255–62.
  5. Arabin B., van Eyck J. The use of pessaries in pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Gynecol Pelvic Med 2021;3:1–10.
  6. Adamyan L.V., Khashukoev M.V., Andreeva E.N. Modern approaches to the management of pelvic organ prolapse in women. Akusherstvo i ginekologiya = Obstetrics and Gynecology 2022;(5):24–30. (In Russ.).
  7. Panman C.M., Wiegersma M., Kollen B. et al. Pessary or pelvic floor muscle training for pelvic organ prolapse: randomized controlled trial. BMJ 2016;353:i3740.
  8. Meriwether K.V., Antosh D.D., Olivera C.K. et al. Pelvic organ prolapse: a review of non-surgical management. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2018;73(10):603–10.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML

Copyright (c) 2026 ABV-Press

License URL: https://ojrs.abvpress.ru/ojrs/about/editorialPolicies

СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: серия ПИ № ФС 77 - 36991 от  21.07.2009.