Post-op incontinence problems

Hello ladies. I'm 50 years old, and am hoping to gain some insight about a post-op problem I am having. I had a total hysterectomy in November. I recovered from the pain very quickly. But about 3 or 4 weeks after the surgery, I noticed small amounts of urine leakage.

After complaining to my GYN who performed the surgery, he referred me to a gyne-urologist who has ordered a few bladder studies to determine the cause of the leakage. No signs of a fitsula or blockage. I've tried kegel exercises and bladder training. There's been no improvement. I've been telling the doc that the leakage is totally involuntary, not induced by coughing or sneezing. During his examinations, the doctor didn't detect any urine loss due to coughing or sneezing, which is known as stress incontinence. However, the second bladder study conducted indicated the presence of stress incontinence.

The doctor recommended that I insert a pessary device which is supposed to help control the uretha muscles. I'm going to give it a try because I don't have many options, and it sounds like a safe option. Here are my questions:

1. Have any other women had problems with urine leakage after a hyster, and if so, how did you treat it?
2. Have any other women had experience with a pessary?

Thanks for your time. I look forward to being a regular part of this forum.

I had a little stress incontinence before my hyst when I would cough or laugh with full bladder, so far it is not any worse. My urologist said if it gets to be a problem to see her and she will fix it with day surgery proceedure.

I would try the device and see if it helps. Good luck with it and let us know how it works.

s

Thanks for the support. I'm going to do some more research, but will probably try the pessary to see how it works. I'll keep you posted.

I tried the Femring, and the estrogen gave me horrible, like mentral cramps. I opted for the TVT many months later, after the Urodynamics study and my history of UTI's. Now the mesh is being removed due to a tension issue and more UTI's. PROCEED CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY IF MESH IS INVOLVED. See the FDA's recent warnings...

Thanks for the info. I had an appointment last week to have a pessary inserted, but I canceled it to give me more time to do some research. Based on your post, I think that it was a good decision. I haven't ruled out using a pessary, I just want to hear from women like you who have used the device. I hope that things are going better for you, and that your problems will be resolved soon.

Kelley,
Thank you, and I wish the same for you. The more conservative approaches give you strength and time to research the more drastic measures. So if and when it comes to that, you feel good about your decision...
Good Luck in your quest...