Pessaries Then and Now
When people think of a pessary today, they usually envision a modern medical device made of soft silicone – sterilely packaged and perfectly formed. What few know is that the history of these inconspicuous aids stretches back over two millennia. Something that has proven itself for so long can't be bad. Or can it?
From Small Stone to Medical Aid
The term "pessary" comes from Greek and originally simply meant "small round stone" or even "board game piece." In early medical use, it referred to a support stone in the shape of a peg, which was used for a prolapsed uterus.
Ancient Origins – What a Pomegranate Can Be Good For!
Even in antiquity, doctors (and probably laypeople too) knew that mechanical support could alleviate pelvic floor complaints. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates and the gynecologist Soranus, for example, described the use of half pomegranates, which were intended to serve as provisional support for a uterine prolapse. Still a long way from a modern product, but the idea was born: an aid that supports the uterus.
Middle Ages and Early Modern Period – Pessaries Made of Cork, Sponge, and Wax
Over the centuries, the pessary remained in use – often in an improvised form. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, materials such as wax, cork, or sponge were used. From 1750, natural rubber was also employed. The pessaries of that time were usually individually crafted and produced on-site by a craftsman or midwife. It was only in the 18th and 19th centuries that the pessary began to be systematically described and used as a medical instrument.
The 19th Century – The Pessary Becomes More Professional
A significant turning point came in 1860: The American physician Hugh Lennox Hodge developed the Hodge pessary, named after him – a defined, reusable form for repositioning a retroverted uterus. With this, the pessary finally emerged from the shadow of improvisation and became a firm component of gynecological medicine.
Archaeological Finds – Evidence from the Iron Age
Archaeological discoveries are also exciting: In some Iron Age women's graves, researchers found ring-shaped objects made of ceramic, clay, or metal, which possibly served as pessaries. Whether this was actually the case cannot be said for certain – but the finds suggest that the idea of a support for the uterus is very old.
The 20th Century – Diversity and Progress
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the pessary continued to evolve: There were models made of rubber, porcelain, glass, later plastic, and finally silicone. These modern materials allowed for more hygienic, better adaptable shapes. Pessaries for contraception – so-called stem pessaries or early IUDs – were also tried, but often carried health risks.
Today – From History to Therapy
Today, pessaries are proven aids for prolapse complaints, stress incontinence, and pelvic floor problems. They are individually fitted, made of high-quality, body-friendly silicone, and can provide relief to women of all ages. Their development impressively shows how medical ideas can mature over centuries – from pomegranates to high-tech silicone.
Photo: www.landschaftsmuseum.de