Using creative methods to unbox the identities of pessary-using women
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Pelvic organ prolapse and identity are reciprocal with both influencing each other and subsequently prolapse management. However, work to explore identity in a UK setting and with pessary-using women has not been undertaken. This research is necessary to improve our care. Methods: This research utilised an embodied enquiry approach of identity boxes whereby participants put objects representing their lived experience into a box. This may be particularly beneficial due to the taboo nature of prolapse making verbal communication challenging. Five women attending pessary clinic consented to create an identity box. Women were asked to consider their identity as a woman, feelings about their body, experiences of having prolapse and pessary use and fill a box with relevant objects, images or words. The researcher created a code for each image, describing its content and meaning. The researcher then looked for patterns connecting the 115 codes and created overarching themes. Findings: Themes were female identity, prolapse symptoms, strength, support and ‘a beautiful life after prolapse’. Participants valued pessary management and the positive impact it had on their life and this was reflected in the images and words used representing pessary care. Five images representing each theme were created by an artist to ensure creative dissemination of our findings in accordance with the ethos of this work. Take-home message: We believe this is the first time creative methods have been used to explore the experiences of pessary-using women. It offers novel insight to other qualitative work in this area.
Authors: Lucy Dwyer, Dawn Dowding, Rohna Kearney
Institutions: University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204800436