Contiform — Reusable Intravaginal Pessary for Stress Incontinence

Inserting a Contiform is straightforward and very similar to inserting a tampon. Most women find it easy after one or two attempts, especially if they are already comfortable using tampons or menstrual cups.

To insert, hold the Contiform between your thumb and first two fingers with the tapered end pointing towards you. Find a comfortable position — standing with one foot raised on a step, sitting on the edge of a chair, or lying down all work well. Gently insert the tapered end into the vagina, guiding it upward and back towards the small of your back, as far as is comfortable. The front of the device should rest behind your pubic bone, and the back should sit under or behind your cervix.

Once inserted, test the fit immediately. Cough firmly, jump on the spot, or do a brief jog. If you experience no leakage and the device feels comfortable, the size is correct. If there is still leakage or the device moves noticeably, you likely need a larger size. If it feels uncomfortable or you have difficulty emptying your bladder, try the next size down.

To remove the Contiform, you can use your fingers to gently pull it out, or use the silicone removal ribbon that is supplied free with every Contiform. The ribbon attaches to the device and sits just inside the vaginal opening, making removal quick and easy.

Contiform must be removed at least once every 24 hours for cleaning. Wash it with warm water and unperfumed soap after each use. Do not boil it or place it in a microwave, as heat can damage the material and reduce the device's effectiveness. Allow it to air dry before reinserting.

Contiform is available in three sizes — Small, Medium, and Large — and choosing the right size is essential for effective bladder support. Because every woman's anatomy is different, there is no way to predict the correct size based on body type, age, or number of pregnancies. The only reliable method is to try the device and test for leakage.

If you are a new user, Contiform recommends starting with the Starter Pack (also called the New User Kit), which contains one of each size. This allows you to systematically test each size and identify the one that provides the best combination of comfort and leakage control for your body.

The fitting process is simple. Begin with the Medium size, as this fits the majority of women. Insert it, then perform your usual leak-triggering activities — coughing, jumping, jogging, or whatever typically causes you to leak. If the Medium manages your leakage and feels comfortable, that is your size. If you still leak or the device moves, move up to Large. If the Medium feels too firm or makes it difficult to empty your bladder, try the Small.

Once you have established your correct size, you can purchase replacement units in that size individually — you no longer need to buy the full Starter Pack each time. Most women find their size remains consistent, though some may need to reassess after significant changes such as further pregnancies, pelvic surgery, or substantial weight changes.

If you are unsure about sizing or have difficulty finding the right fit, consulting a pelvic health physiotherapist can be very helpful. They can assess your pelvic floor and advise on whether Contiform is suitable for your specific type of incontinence.

Yes — Contiform is designed specifically for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the most common type of urinary leakage in women. Stress incontinence happens when physical activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, running, or jumping put sudden pressure on the bladder, and the pelvic floor is not yet strong enough to keep the urethra closed under that load.

The clinical data behind Contiform is solid. In a published study (Tincello DG et al., Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2009), 52% of women using Contiform reported no leakage at all, and women with moderate-to-severe stress incontinence reported a median 72% reduction in urine loss. Satisfaction among users was high and only minor complications were reported.

The important caveat: Contiform is designed for stress incontinence specifically, not for other types. If your leakage is triggered by a sudden, intense urge to urinate (urge incontinence) or you leak without any physical trigger, Contiform is probably not the right device for you. Many women have mixed incontinence — a combination of stress and urge — and Contiform can help with the stress component, but the urge side may need separate management through bladder training, medication, or other approaches.

How we use Contiform in clinic: the first-line evidence-based approach to stress urinary incontinence is pelvic floor muscle training, and Contiform is one of the most useful adjuncts available to offer alongside that work. It provides mechanical support during the activities that cause leakage right now, while pelvic floor training builds the underlying strength over time. For some women, pelvic floor strength eventually means they do not need Contiform at all. For others, Contiform remains part of their plan for high-impact activities. Both outcomes are wins.

Absolutely — exercise is one of the primary use cases for Contiform. Many women purchase the device specifically because stress incontinence during physical activity has forced them to avoid exercise, modify their workouts, or manage leakage with pads. Contiform provides an internal support that allows women to return to high-impact and strenuous activities with confidence.

You can wear Contiform during any type of exercise, including running, jogging, HIIT classes, CrossFit, jumping, trampolining, tennis, netball, gym workouts, yoga, Pilates, swimming, and cycling. The device sits securely inside the vagina and does not move during vigorous activity when correctly sized. It is not visible externally and cannot be felt by others during contact sport.

Some women choose to wear Contiform only during exercise — inserting it before their workout and removing it afterward. Others who experience leakage during general daily activities prefer to wear it all day and remove it at night for cleaning. Both approaches are appropriate, and you can adjust your wearing pattern to suit your lifestyle and the severity of your symptoms.

If you find that the Contiform moves, feels uncomfortable, or you are still leaking during exercise, the most likely explanation is incorrect sizing. Try the next size up, as higher-impact activities generally require a firmer fit. If you continue to experience leakage during very high-impact activities despite correct sizing, this may indicate more significant pelvic floor weakness that would benefit from physiotherapy assessment alongside Contiform use.

The ability to exercise without fear of leakage is consistently reported as one of the most significant quality-of-life improvements by Contiform users. Returning to sport and fitness activities that incontinence had taken away is often described as life-changing.

With daily use, a single Contiform device lasts approximately 30 to 45 days before it needs to be replaced. Over this period, the material gradually softens and loses its structural integrity, which reduces its ability to effectively support the urethra and manage leakage. You will likely notice the device becoming less firm and potentially less effective as it approaches the end of its usable life.

If you only wear Contiform during specific activities rather than all day every day — for example, only during exercise sessions — the device will last longer than 45 days because it accumulates fewer hours of wear. There is no fixed hour count; rather, you should replace the device when you notice it becoming noticeably softer or when leakage begins to return despite the device being in place.

Contiform replacement units are sold individually once you know your correct size, making ongoing use straightforward and cost-effective. You do not need to repurchase the full Starter Pack each time — only your established size.

In terms of care and maintenance, proper cleaning after each use extends the device's functional life. Wash with warm water and unperfumed soap, and allow it to air dry. Avoid boiling, microwaving, or using harsh chemicals, as these will degrade the material more quickly. Store the device in a clean, dry place when not in use.

Compared to disposable incontinence pads, which need to be purchased continuously and create ongoing waste, Contiform offers a more sustainable and often more cost-effective approach over time. A single device providing 30 to 45 days of protection compares favourably to purchasing and disposing of pads daily.

Contiform and ring pessaries are both vaginal devices used to manage incontinence, but they differ significantly in design, fitting process, intended use, and how they are managed day to day.

A ring pessary is a firm, circular silicone device that is fitted inside the vagina by a healthcare professional — typically a gynaecologist, urogynaecologist, or specially trained physiotherapist. Ring pessaries come in many sizes and are designed for long-term continuous wear, often remaining in place for three to six months between clinical check-ups. They are primarily used for pelvic organ prolapse, though ring pessaries with a knob (an incontinence knob) can also support the urethra for stress incontinence management.

Contiform, by contrast, is a self-managed device shaped like a tampon that you insert and remove yourself without any clinical fitting appointment. It comes in three sizes, and you determine your own correct size using the Starter Pack. It is designed to be removed at least once every 24 hours for cleaning and is replaced every 30 to 45 days with daily use.

The key practical differences come down to independence and convenience. Contiform does not require a healthcare appointment for fitting or ongoing management — you manage it entirely yourself. This makes it accessible to women who may not have easy access to a urogynaecologist or who prefer to manage their incontinence independently. Ring pessaries, while effective and long-lasting, require clinical involvement for fitting, insertion, removal, and regular review.

Contiform is specifically designed for stress urinary incontinence and is not designed for prolapse. Ring pessaries can be used for both prolapse and incontinence depending on the type fitted. If you have significant prolapse alongside incontinence, a ring pessary fitted by a clinician may be more appropriate. If your primary issue is stress incontinence and you want a self-managed solution, Contiform is purpose-built for that need.

Contiform is available in Australia through Blossom Pelvic Health, a specialist pelvic health retailer that stocks the full Contiform range including the Starter Pack (New User Kit) and individual replacement units in all three sizes. Blossom Pelvic Health ships across Australia with fast, discreet delivery and provides access to pelvic health physiotherapist guidance to help you choose the right product for your needs.

If you are a first-time user, you should purchase the Contiform Starter Pack, which contains one Small, one Medium, and one Large device. This allows you to test all three sizes and determine which provides the best fit and leakage control for your body. Once you know your size, you can purchase individual replacement units in that size for ongoing use.

Buying through an Australian specialist retailer means faster shipping, local customer support, and clear guidance around use and sizing. Blossom Pelvic Health can also help you understand whether Contiform is the right product for your type of incontinence, or whether a different approach — such as pelvic floor training devices, vaginal moisturisers, or a clinical pessary fitting — might be more suitable for your situation.

Contiform is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which means it has been assessed and approved for sale in Australia as a medical device. This provides assurance that the product meets Australian safety and quality standards.

For women who are uncertain about whether Contiform is appropriate for them, Blossom Pelvic Health recommends consulting a pelvic health physiotherapist. Many physiotherapists are familiar with the Contiform and can advise on whether it suits your specific type of incontinence, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall pelvic floor health.