Editing Pessary (section)

=== Pelvic organ prolapse ===
The most common use for pessaries is to treat pelvic organ prolapse. A pelvic organ prolapse can occur when the muscles and tissues surrounding the bladder, uterus, vagina, small bowel, and rectum stop working properly to hold the organs in place and the organs begin to drop outside the body. The most common cause of such prolapse is childbirth, usually multiple births. [[Obesity]], long-term respiratory problems, [[constipation]], pelvic organ cancers, and [[Hysterectomy|hysterectomies]] can all be causes for pelvic organ prolapses as well.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=What Is Pelvic Organ Prolapse?|url=https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/pelvic-organ-prolapse|access-date=2020-08-28|website=WebMD|language=en}}</ref> Some signs and symptoms include feeling pressure in the pelvic area, lower back pain, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, a feeling that something is out of place, constipation, or bleeding from the vagina.<ref name=":12" /> Pessaries are manual devices that are inserted into the vagina to help support and reposition descended pelvic organs, which helps to prevent the worsening of prolapse, helps with symptom relief, and can delay or prevent the need for surgery.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":2" /> Further, pessaries can be used for surgery preparation as a way to maintain prolapse without progression.<ref name=":6" /> This is especially useful when a surgery may need to be delayed.<ref name=":6" />