Botox Injection for Treatment of Vaginismus

Overview

The use of Botox injections intravaginally and progressive dilation under anesthesia has been shown to cure vaginismus. This study expands the use of Botox injections to include progressive dilation, post procedure supervised dilation and sex counseling to help women transition from dilators to intercourse. Since 2005 patients continue to experience a cure rate in excess of 90%. As of December 2012 more than 200 vaginismus patients have been treated this way. In this completed study of 30 patients with a minimum of one year follow-up 29 vaginismus patients were able to advance to pain free intercourse (97%) and one patient failed to achieve her goals presumably due to uncontrolled anxiety relating to vaginal penetration.

Vaginismus is the most common reason for unconsummated marriages. The more severe forms of vaginismus are often refractory to a variety of treatments such as Kegel exercises, dilator therapy, psychotherapy, sex counseling physical therapy, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, hymenectomy and vestibulectomy. In the larger cohort of 200 patients, a detailed data analysis of 150 patients (paper submitted) the average length of time of failed treatments was more than 7 years. 25% of vaginismus women suffered with this condition for more than a decade. Spasm of the vaginal muscles is well defined in the scientific literature, first described by Sims in his 1861 report, as well as Lamont in 1978 and currently included in the DSM-IV definition of vaginismus. Pacik has reported on the prevalence of spasm of the bulbocavernosum, especially in the more severe forms of vaginismus, consistent with the history that intercourse feels like it is "hitting a wall", also noted by Lamont. The use of Botox injections as a treatment for vaginismus dates back to 1997. Since then several reports, including papers and presentations from our practice, have shown the efficacy of Botox injections for vaginismus. Botox is a very safe drug when used correctly. As of December 2012 more than 200 patients have been treated in our practice, mostly the more severe forms of vaginismus, who have been refractory to other forms of therapy. In this population dating back to 2005, the cure rate is in excess of 90%. There have been three minor complications of mild stress incontinence all of which resolved after about four months when the Botox was no longer active. One patient in this large cohort developed excessive vaginal dryness, likely due to block of the parasympathetic nerves which govern "letdown". Several patients have become pregnant and delivered normal children by vaginal childbirth. The program to cure vaginismus is more than just injecting Botox under anesthesia and incorporates the following additional essential steps: The areas of maximum spasm of the vaginal muscles are identified under sedation to determine where the Botox should be injected. The injections done under anesthesia are followed by additional injections of a long acting local anesthetic bupivacaine. After this the vagina is progressively dilated while the patient is still under anesthesia, and the dilators are further coated with a topical anesthetic. All these measures allow the patient to wake up in the recovery room with the large dilator in place and no discomfort. Following this, supervised dilation continues so that the patient becomes comfortable moving the dilator in and out of the vagina. This supervised dilation continues for a total of two to three mornings. During this time counseling is done with the couple to help instruct the correct use of the dilators, transition from dilators to intercourse, positions of pelvic floor relaxation and couple's counseling. Written instructions are given as well as a DVD addressing these aspects and close follow up and support by phone and email to ensure success of the program.