While Botox® first burst on the scene as a wrinkle-busting cosmetic treatment in 2002, it had already been given the go-ahead by the FDA to treat strabismus (poor eye muscle control) in 1978. Realizing its potential in overriding muscles, Botox’s applications were expanded to include bladder spasms, excessive sweating, and neck and shoulder spasms.
Since urologists were among the first initiates into the world of Botox as they helped people overcome incontinence issues, it was just a matter of time before other urogynecologic solutions were explored, including pelvic pain.
Here at Boston Urogyn, under the experienced leadership of Dr. Neeraj Kohli, we’ve turned to Botox to help women in Wellesley, Massachusetts, deal with painful pelvic spasms that can often lead to problems with sexual intercourse.
If you’re struggling with pelvic pain, here’s how Botox may provide just the solution you’re looking for.
Pelvic pain is a broad symptom that can be caused by an incredibly wide array of issues. There are any number of conditions that can lead to pelvic pain, starting with your monthly cramps to more serious conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. For the purposes of this discussion, the type of pelvic pain we’re referring to is one that develops because of a problem in your pelvic muscles.
The first group of muscles is called your pelvic floor, which forms a type of hammock across your pelvis, providing support for your bladder, bowel, and uterus. If you’re experiencing muscle spasms in your pelvic floor, it can create pain during sex or just anytime.
Another problem with muscle control in your pelvic region is called vaginismus, which are painful contractions in your vagina during intercourse.
Sometimes these conditions are brought on by things like pelvic surgery, while in other cases these muscle problems develop for no known reason. The bottom line in all of these cases, however, is that the pelvic pain stems from malfunctioning muscles, and we have a solution.
Botox contains onabotulinum toxin A, which is a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes your muscles. This means that Botox can relax the muscles in your pelvis that are contracting or spasming painfully.
To administer the Botox, we inject it directly into the muscles that are responsible for your pain. Rest assured, we use a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. That said, you may experience some soreness at the injections sites after your treatment, but this is generally short-lived. You should also refrain from having sexual intercourse for the first few days to avoid infection and to give the Botox enough time to work.
Over the course of 3-7 days following your injections, your muscles will gradually release their grip, bringing you much-needed relief. For some patients, Botox lasts up to 6-9 months, at which point they return for a follow-up treatment. Other patients experience a year or more of relief.
We closely monitor your results afterward so that we can make any adjustments during your next treatment, targeting the right pelvic muscles for best results.
If you’ve exhausted your treatment options for pelvic pain caused by muscle malfunctions, please give us a call to explore whether Botox may provide the best solution. Or you can use the online scheduling tool found on this website to set up a consultation.
