A Text-book of Diseases of WomenPenrose, Charles B. (Charles Bingham)
Science
A Text-book of Diseases of Women
Penrose, Charles B. (Charles Bingham)
Women -- Diseases
The pessary may be introduced while the perineum is retracted with
the speculum; or it may be passed into the vagina first, the speculum
then being introduced and the pessary moved into the proper position.
The pessary should be greased, the lower transverse bar should be
grasped with the thumb and the index finger, and the instrument should
be introduced in such a direction that one lateral bar lies in the
vaginal sulcus. The upper transverse bar may readily be placed behind
the cervix, by manipulation with the finger or the forceps, when the
perineum is retracted with the speculum.
The speculum should be removed, and the woman should assume the Sims
posture for a few minutes. She may then get up from the table, and the
examination may be made in the erect posture, for in this position,
better than in any other, the fit and the action of the pessary may
be determined. It will be found that the lower bar of the pessary
is in relation with the anterior vaginal wall at the position of the
internal urinary meatus. It should not protrude from the ostium vaginæ.
It should be possible to pass the finger readily between the vaginal
walls and the lateral and lower bars of the pessary. The cervix should
be felt directed backward through the upper portion of the ring of the
pessary. It will be felt that the pessary is retained in the vagina not
by any pressure against the vaginal walls, but by a suction--in other
words, by the retentive power of the abdomen.
A vaginal douche of warm water should be administered once a day while
the pessary is worn.
The woman should be directed to return for examination three days
after the introduction of the pessary, or sooner if any discomfort
is experienced. Sometimes the uterus becomes retroverted while the
pessary is in position, and becomes flexed over the upper bar of the
instrument, considerable pain resulting. In other cases, where the
vagina is patulous and too small an instrument is used, the pessary
becomes turned so that the long axis lies transversely. It is well to
advise the woman to remove the instrument herself if it makes her very
uncomfortable.
The pessary should be examined digitally in the dorsal or the erect
position, or visually in the knee-chest position. If it is found that
the retroversion has returned, the uterus should be replaced and a
pessary better suited in size and shape should be introduced. It is
always desirable to use as small an instrument as practicable. The
intervals between examinations may be gradually lengthened to two
weeks or a month. A woman using a pessary should always be under the
supervision of a physician. The retroversion pessary does not interfere
with sexual connection.
The bowels should be carefully regulated. The clothing should be
supported from the shoulders, not from the waist, and heavy lifting
should be avoided as much as possible.
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