A retrospective study of the management of vulvodynia.
OBJECTIVE
Vulvodynia is characterized by chronic vulvar pain caused by sexual intercourse and often results in female sexual dysfunction. Because the causes of vulvodynia are not clear, many patients do not receive optimal treatment. Recently, gabapentin and botulinum toxin A have both been shown to be effective treatments for vulvodynia. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of botulinum toxin A and gabapentin treatment for chronic pain in women with this condition.


METHODS
Seventy-three women with vulvar pain were administered either gabapentin (n=62) or botulinum toxin A (n=11) injections. Effectiveness was measured by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). We analyzed the treatment method, treatment duration, success of treatment, and side effects or adverse reactions.


RESULTS
Pain levels in both groups significantly decreased after treatment. In the gabapentin group, the VAS score decreased from 8.6 before treatment to 3.2 after treatment (p<0.001). The VAS score in the botulinum toxin A group was reduced from 8.1 to 2.5 (p<0.001). Side effects for both therapies were few and subsided with treatment with general antibiotics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin and botulinum toxin A are safe and effective treatments for vulvodynia. This condition can cause sexual dysfunction and affect quality of life. However, with proper management, satisfactory outcomes for women with vulvodynia can be achieved.
Department of Urology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yongseok
Y
Jeon
Youngjun
Y
Kim
Bosun
B
Shim
Hana
H
Yoon
Youngyo
Y
Park
Bongsuk
B
Shim
Woosik
W
Jeong
Donghyun
D
Lee
Dyspareunia; Gabapentin; Type A botulinum toxins; Vulvodynia