Botulinum Toxin Injections as a Treatment of Refractory Vulvodynia in Adolescents: A Case Series.

Creator(s)

Julia Bhuiyan
Kaiane A. Habeshian
Adam Booser, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Veronica Gomez-Lobo
Tazim Dowlut-McElroy, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.06.001

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vulvodynia involves vulvar discomfort that occurs in the absence of an identifiable cause. Because vulvodynia is often accompanied by myofascial pain and pelvic floor tension, transvaginal botulinum toxin (BT) injection into the pelvic floor has been proposed as a possible treatment.

METHODS: Retrospective case series RESULTS: Three adolescents with vulvodynia had a suboptimal response to treatment with several interventions, including neuromodulators (oral and topical), tricyclic antidepressants (oral and topical), and pelvic floor physical therapy. Subsequently, these patients underwent BT injections to the pelvic floor as treatment with varying responses.

CONCLUSION: In select adolescent patients with vulvodynia, transvaginal BT injection into the pelvic floor can be an effective treatment. Further studies are needed to assess the optimal dosing, frequency, and sites of BT injections in the treatment of vulvodynia in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Journal Title

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology

Volume

36

Issue

5

First Page

497

Last Page

500

MeSH Keywords

Female; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Vulvodynia; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Botulinum Toxins

Keywords

Adolescent medicine; Botulinum toxin; Gynecology; Pelvic pain; Vestibulodynia; Vulva pain; Vulvodynia

Recommended Citation

Bhuiyan J, Habeshian KA, Booser AC, Gomez-Lobo V, Dowlut-McElroy T. Botulinum Toxin Injections as a Treatment of Refractory Vulvodynia in Adolescents: A Case Series. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2023 Oct;36(5):497-500. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.06.001. Epub 2023 Jun 8. PMID: 37301425.