Compression support for pelvic and vulvar heaviness

For many women, pelvic and vulvar heaviness is a daily reality that rarely gets the attention it deserves. Compression garments work by applying gentle, targeted pressure to the vulvar area, which can meaningfully reduce that persistent sense of heaviness and discomfort. Still underrecognized, this approach has shown real effectiveness for conditions including vulvar varicosities, pelvic congestion syndrome, and genital or urinary prolapse.

A basic and elastic function

The purpose of compression underwear is to provide adjustable and reassuring support to the pelvic floor through compression therapy. It consists of a compression hammock that covers the pubic region and the vulva, connected to a wide elastic belt and a system of adjustment straps at the back.

PELVINITY underwear from Herapreg: patented technology that makes a difference

Pelvinity is the result of extensive research and testing, developed in collaboration with midwives, specialist medical textile suppliers, and women living with pelvic heaviness firsthand.

The carefully selected combination of materials — and the way they work together — is patented, making Pelvinity the only French compression garment of its kind and a genuinely innovative solution for pelvic heaviness and discomfort.

What conditions may benefit from compression therapy?

Simply uncomfortable to downright debilitating, symptoms of pain, discomfort, pressure or heaviness can be due to a number of underlying conditions. Some of the most common are described below.

Vulvar varicosities

Vulvar varicosities are most common during pregnancy and typically appear as dilated veins that can cause visible swelling of one or both labia majora. Symptoms include a feeling of heaviness or fullness in the vulva, visible or felt swelling, sometimes severe pain when standing, itching, difficulty walking, and pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Pelvic congestion syndrome

Often confused with endometriosis, pelvic congestion syndrome causes significant pain around ovulation and during menstruation. It typically develops after a first pregnancy and tends to worsen with each subsequent one. The sensation of heaviness and pressure increases with prolonged standing or sitting, and is often at its worst by the end of the day.

Pelvic organ prolapse

This condition occurs when one or more pelvic organs shift downward from their normal position. It typically causes a sense of pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen, and many women describe the feeling of a bulge inside the vagina or at the vaginal opening.

Pelvic-perineal edema

This refers to inflammation of the vulva and vagina following childbirth. The tissues become saturated with fluid containing inflammatory byproducts, and if this fluid is not drained promptly, the tissue can begin to stiffen and scar. A pelvic floor affected in this way may become painful, and can lead to longer-term consequences including urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pain during sexual intercourse.

Pubic sympysis dysfunction

Pubic symphysis dysfunction causes pulling or aching pain around the pubic bone and groin. It is commonly associated with footballers — but also affects pregnant women. During pregnancy, it typically appears around the sixth month, when the pelvic bones begin to widen in preparation for birth and the surrounding ligaments come under significant strain. Symptoms include difficulty walking and spreading the legs, swelling around the joint, and pain at night. The good news: it resolves on its own after delivery. The less welcome news: it tends to return with each subsequent pregnancy.

Afterpains

Your baby is finally in your arms — surely the contractions are behind you now? Not quite. First comes the "afterpains." For the first two days or so, the uterus contracts quite intensely as it works to return to its normal size and position within the pelvic cavity. These contractions are often triggered during breastfeeding, driven by the release of oxytocin. Necessary? Absolutely. Comfortable? Far from it.

Compression stockings, support panties, or both?

Until recently, healthcare professionals typically recommended compression stockings, tights, or socks — solutions designed primarily for leg varicosities that often prove ineffective or insufficient when the problem is in the vulvar area. Pelvinity was specifically designed to provide immediate relief for vulvar varicosities and other forms of pelvic heaviness.

More broadly, compression garments help preserve vascular tone and slow further deterioration of the blood vessels.

For women with venous insufficiency, or simply as a preventive measure, Pelvinity can also be worn over a compression tight for added support.

Is pelvic compression only for pregnant women?

Not necessarily. Pregnant women are certainly the most affected by these conditions — there's no question about that. But Pelvinity is also worth considering in many other situations:

After childbirth, in cases of vulvar or pelvic-perineal edema, pelvic organ prolapse, or postpartum afterpains

During the menstrual cycle and ovulation, for women with pelvic congestion syndrome

At any point in life, for women living with prolapse or vulvar varicosities related to chronic venous insufficiency

During menopause, when vulvar varicosities can develop or worsen

How to know if a compression panty will relieve my symptoms?

Still wondering whether Pelvinity will work for you? Here's a simple test you can do at home. Place your palm against your body and apply gentle pressure from the pubic bone toward the perineum. If that brings relief, Pelvinity will too.

And if you're still not sure, you have 15 days to try it for yourself.

How to wear a compression panty?

How often?

It depends on the intensity of your symptoms. Some women wear Pelvinity for a few hours at a time — during a workout, a football game with the kids, a long walk, or a full day at work. Others wear it throughout the day.

How to achieve ideal compression?

For optimal results, it is important to choose the right size (it should not be too large) and to position it correctly. In the front, it should be worn under the belly, and in the back, in the small of the back above the buttocks. The straps at the back should be well adjusted and stretched outward from the buttocks for a perfect fit.

Over underwear, leggings, or a compression tight?

Pelvinity is worn over your everyday underwear.

If you are also wearing a compression tight (for venous insufficiency, for example), take care to keep the tight away from the velcro fastenings to avoid snagging or running the fabric.

When you first start wearing Pelvinity, you may notice some sensation in the inner thigh area. This is completely normal. The elastics are made from medical-grade compression materials that will gradually soften and adapt to your body. In the meantime, wearing Pelvinity over a leggings or cycling short can help with comfort.

Is there evidence that Pelvinity is effective?

Studies conducted by Herapreg

In a sample of women suffering from pelvic heaviness of various medical origins, all report a significant improvement in their ability to live normally when wearing the compression panties.

Testimonials from women who have tested

Alexandra (bladder prolapse)

«Since then, everything has been much better, my days are less disrupted, and I have even been able to resume running! »

Delphine (vulvar varicosity)

«It was a real relief, and on top of that, I no longer had pain in my pelvis! So much so that I could no longer work without it. I wore it until the end of my pregnancy. »

Julie (pelvic congestion syndrome)

«The Pelvinity panties allowed me to regain dignity and a certain normality. These pains are very uncomfortable and often taboo. I have regained an almost normal life without having to lie down. »