The use of botulinum toxin in the pelvic floor for women with chronic pelvic pain-a new answer to old problems?

Chronic pelvic pain occurs in about 15% of women and has a variety of causes requiring accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment if pain reduction is to be effected. Superficial conditions such as provoked vestibulodynia and deeper pelvic issues such as pelvic floor myalgia were traditionally difficult to diagnose and adequately treat. For provoked vestibulodynia, there are limited data, in the form of case reports and small series, to indicate that botulinum toxin (BoNT) injections may provide short-term (3-6 months) benefit. Retreatment is reported to be successful and side effects are few. Class-I studies are essential to adequately assess this form of treatment. For pelvic floor myalgia, 1 class-I study and 3 class-II to -III studies indicate efficacy of BoNT. In the only double-blind, randomized, controlled study, significant reduction in pelvic floor pressures with significant pain reduction for some types of pelvic pain are reported compared with baseline. No differences in pain occurred compared with the control group who had physical therapy as an intervention. Physical therapy should be used as a noninvasive first-line treatment, with BoNT injections reserved for those who are refractory to treatment. Pelvic floor disorders should be considered as a cause for chronic pelvic pain in women and an attempt made to diagnose and treat such problems as a routine practice. The use of BoNT as a therapeutic option for pelvic floor muscle spasm and pain is still in its infancy. Initial reports suggest that there may be a significant role for women with chronic pain that is refractory to currently available medical and surgical treatments, however, there are very few high-quality studies and research is essential before this novel treatment can be accepted into widespread use for pelvic pain attributable to the pelvic floor.