For many women, especially those who are older and experiencing pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal pessaries may be an effective long-term treatment, a study suggests.

An analysis of data from 239 women who were fitted for pessaries revealed that more than three in four were still using the devices after five years.

Researchers from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing, China concluded the vaginal pessary was an effective treatment in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse.

Patients had a high continuation rate and minor complications, and the use of pessaries reduced pelvic reconstructive surgery.