PESSARIES: Advanced Pessary Fitting Course
***New for 2025***
Format
One day In-Person in Auckland on Sunday 12 October. Course Times: 8.00am to 3:30pm.
 
We may also run this course in Australia in late 2025. If you are interested, join the waiting list here.
Course Content
In the PESSARIES: Introduction to Pessary Fitting course we focused on pelvic organ prolapse conservative management, speculum examinations, and fitting and managing ring, cube, and Gellhorn pessaries.
 

In the PESSARIES: Advanced Pessary Fitting Course the focus will be on learning how to fit and manage a wide range of other pessary types available on the market in New Zealand and Australia. This will be a practical, hands on course, involving silicone vaginal models and/or peer-to-peer learning, to practice fitting the wide range of pessaries available on the course.

Participants:
There are limited places available on this course. Females, males, and gender diverse health professionals are invited to take part in this course. To attend this course, you must already be practicing as a pelvic health professional, be experienced in performing internal vaginal examinations, and be fitting ring and cube pessaries already with patients. 'Experienced' means that you regularly perform vaginal examinations in your day-to-day clinical practice and already provide conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse, including pessaries.
 

You must be a registered health professional in good standing in New Zealand or Australia, or your home country. Registration must be with the appropriate health professional board such as Physiotherapy Board of NZ, AHPRA boards, Osteopathic Council of NZ, The Nursing Council of NZ, Medical Council of NZ, etc.

This course includes approximately 4 hours of practical sessions:
 

- We have advanced silicone vaginal models available to practice levator ani avulsion assessments, speculum examinations, POP-Q measures, and fitting the different types of pessaries.

- We also have multiple fitting kits available for those who wish to use peer-to-peer learning for their practical sessions. If you wish to do peer-to-peer learning, it involves internal examinations with participants practicing on each other during the practical sessions. By using peer-to-peer learning, participants gain vital learning on how it feels to be a patient, as well as a health professional, ensuring you gain well rounded experiential learning. This course allows people of all genders an opportunity to learn from each other and gain vital, practical clinical skills. Informed consent is discussed in detail on the course, and you will have the ability to consent or not consent to internal examination at the time of the assessments if you choose to take part in peer-to-peer learning.

- Or you can choose to combine silicone model practice with peer-to-peer.

 
Presenters:
Dr Melissa Davidson
Melissa is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside her 34 years of clinical practice, Melissa has extensive post graduate qualifications including a PhD in Bioengineering from Auckland University, a research Masters from Melbourne University, a Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulations from Canada, and Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy in Pelvic Floor (Australia) and Acupuncture (New Zealand). She also has a Certificate in Health Science, is registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand under Specialist Scope of Practice and is a long-term member of Physiotherapy New Zealand. She is the current President of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health. Melissa is the lead author on the 'Pessary Management Recommendations for New Zealand Pelvic Health Physiotherapists', designed in consultation with content experts in physiotherapy, gynaecology, and general practice.
Simon Smith
Simon is the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) and Co-Founder of Dr Melissa Davidson Pelvic Health Training. Simon uses his business and management experience to work behind the scenes dealing with the business systems of physiotherapy practices. He provides one-on-one international business consultancy with private practice owners to improve their businesses processes, cash flow, efficiency, and at the same time reduce the owners' (and employees') stress levels.
What people are saying about the Pessary Introduction course:
"Melissa and Simon always deliver on these courses. So organised, so well thought out, so thorough and informative. The theoretical and practical aspects of the course are so well balanced that it enables a true learning experience and allows one to fully grasp the content and retain all learning by putting it all into a "real experience". Having Fran's Pelvic health and Pessary and Alice's Gynaecological knowledge and experience really sets this course above and beyond. Not to mention the IT, cleaning and food extaordinaire, Simon! and how can we forget THE FOOD...always deliciously spectacular. I got so so so much out of this course and would absolutely recommend it to all who would love to learn more and become competent in the world of Pessaries."
 

- Tessa, Physiotherapist

"The pessary course not only gives you everything you need to be safely and competently fitting and managing pessaries, but also thorough evidence based up to date knowledge on POP."
 

- Sara, Physiotherapist

"I have been on a number of Melissa's courses now and they just keep getting better! This "Pessaries" course was absolutely amazing. I walked away feeling so satisfied, motivated and eager to continue my work in this field."
 

- Rebecca, Physiotherapist

"Highly informative and practical course - within a relaxed environment which enhances the overall learning experience. As a GP with an interest in women's health I found the skills learned essential."
 

- Christina, GP

"Fantastic evidence based course with robust protocols and excellent clinical application."
 

- Glenn, Osteopath

"Fantastic course with plenty of practical sessions and take home information to use immediately within your practice"
 

- Eileen, Physiotherapist, Australia

"As a PHPT confident in treating POP conservatively, I found this course wonderful in learning how to safely fit and monitor pessaries both practically and administratively."
 

- Kat, Physiotherapist

"Very good course. Evidence -based approach, and here in NZ. Learned to assess and fit 3 different pessaries which is great to have some options to offer."
 

- Natalie, Physiotherapist

Additional Information:
Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.
Pre-reading and Tests:
Pre-reading will be provided to complete prior to the course starting. A pre-course test needs to be completed prior to the course to ensure the pre-reading has been completed.
 

There will be practical assessments during the course testing clinical assessment skills learned on the weekend to ensure at the end of the course you are competent. These are completed throughout the weekend and done in a relaxed, comfortable fashion. You will need to pass these assessments to complete the course.

A post-course test and evaluation will need to be completed immediately after the course.

Investment:
Includes: Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea; and completion certificate for 8 hours of CPD once all evaluations completed.
 

Full course fee: $745 including GST for the one-day course.

Register below for New Zealand
PESSARIES: Advanced Pessary Fitting
1 Day In-Person in Auckland | 12 October 2025
Click here to register
Auckland Venue: Unisports 261 Morrin Road, St Johns
Course Times: 8.00am to 3:30pm.
Join the waiting list  for Australia
We may also run this course in Australia in late 2025.
If you are interested, join the waiting list here.