How to Use a Sea Sponge as a Pessary

It isn't uncommon for women to experience some degree of pelvic-wall prolapse. This can lead to leaking urine when the woman coughs, sneezes, laughs or does other vigorous activity. A pessary is a device, usually made of silicon, inserted high up into the vagina to provide additional support to the pelvic wall. Some women prefer to use sea sponges as a pessary. The sea sponges are completely natural and some women find them more comfortable than pessaries inserted by the doctor. Insert a sea sponge pessary in a manner similar to inserting a tampon.

Things You'll Need

• Sea sponge
• Lubricant
• Scissors, optional

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Instructions

• 1

  Wet the sea sponge and wring out the excess water. If you think the sponge will be too big to fit inside you comfortably, trim off 1/8-inch from its edges.

• 2

  Wash the sea sponge in warm water with a drop of tea tree essential oil or some baking powder. To remove any stray pieces of sponge, wash it after you have trimmed it. Do not use soap, such as Ivory or Irish Spring, because it will alter the pH of your system when the sponge is inserted. Wring the sponge out.

• 3

  Apply a natural lubricant, such as vitamin E oil or olive oil, to the sponge, if needed to make insertion of the sponge more comfortable. Use sparingly.

• 4

  Squeeze the sponge into a ball and gently insert it into your vagina as you would with a tampon. Push it in as far as you can so that it is still comfortable.

• 5

  Change or clean the sponge every 4 to 6 hours, or as needed. To remove, gently pull the sponge out. Be careful because sea sponges are delicate and may rip if pulled too hard. Rinse the sponge in warm water and re-insert.