Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravaginal electrical stimulation in women with chronic pelvic pain ( CPP). STUDY DESIGN: Between May 2002 and February 2004, 24 women with CPP with no apparent cause were evaluated. They underwent 10 sessions of intravaginal electrical stimulation. A program for measuring chronic diffuse pain, with a frequency of 8 Hz, variation in intensity and frequency, pulse length of 1 msec, and adjustment to the bearable intensity of each individual patient (in milliamps) was utilized. Treatment consisted of 30-minute applications, 2 or 3 times per week, and the pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale before and after each session and immediately after completion of the total treatment. The women were asked to evaluate the pain 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 7 months following the end of treatment. RESULTS: Intravaginal electrical stimulation was effective in alleviating pain in women with CPP, as evaluated at the end of treatment and 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 7 months after completion of treatment (p<0.05). There were significantly fewer complaints of dyspareunia following treatment (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Intravaginal electrical stimulation is effective in the alleviation of pain in women with CPP.
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Authors | Nicole de Oliveira Bernardes, Luis Bahamondes |
Journal | The Journal of reproductive medicine
(J Reprod Med)
Vol. 50
Issue 4
Pg. 267-72
(Apr 2005)
ISSN: 0024-7758 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15916211
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Chronic Disease
- Electric Stimulation Therapy
- Female
- Humans
- Pelvic Pain
(therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Vagina
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