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Is Recover therapy effective in reducing pain in women with vulvodynia?
Affiliations- Terpa, Pogodna 34, 20-333 Lublin, Poland
- III Katedra i Klinika Ginekologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie
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Abstract
Introduction: Vulvodynia (Vd) is a form of chronic vulvar pain and other discomfort that persists for more
than three months in the absence of any evident vulvovaginal pathology. Provoked Vd is one of the reasons
of dyspareunia. Vd is classified as a functional pain syndrome that is mediated by pelvic floor muscles
dysfunction (PFMD overactive state) and psychological predisposition. Treatment standards do not exist,
although multidisciplinary therapy seems to be the most effective.
Material and methods: Retrospective study was performed within 121 women with Vd who undergo Recover
therapy. Nineteen therapeutic sessions were included, with manual pelvic therapy, initial general physiotherapy
and psychological consultations performed during minimum 5 days. Vd patients with PFMD overactive
state were qualified by a gynecologist to the therapy, who also summarizes the treatment. Pain rate and
characteristics of vulvar discomfort were assessed before and 2 and 6 months after therapy, recorded in NRS.
Results: Vulvar pain and discomfort subjective reduction by 65% was confirmed after therapy, even more,
2/3 of women reported a minimum 50% relief in pain, the improvements were maintained over the time.
The best treatment results in dyspareunia women caused by provoked Vd were obtained. The outcome was
not dependent on the duration of Vd.
Conclusions: In the center when women with vulvar diseases and Vd are treated, interdisciplinary Vd therapeutic
program was developed. Recover therapy can lead to clinically meaningful improvement in Vd
pain, according to chronic pain therapy assessment criteria. Randomized clinical trial with control group
is indicated, when other key parameters of IMMPACT consensus, for Recover therapy assessment, would
be taken under consideration.
Abstract
Introduction: Vulvodynia (Vd) is a form of chronic vulvar pain and other discomfort that persists for more
than three months in the absence of any evident vulvovaginal pathology. Provoked Vd is one of the reasons
of dyspareunia. Vd is classified as a functional pain syndrome that is mediated by pelvic floor muscles
dysfunction (PFMD overactive state) and psychological predisposition. Treatment standards do not exist,
although multidisciplinary therapy seems to be the most effective.
Material and methods: Retrospective study was performed within 121 women with Vd who undergo Recover
therapy. Nineteen therapeutic sessions were included, with manual pelvic therapy, initial general physiotherapy
and psychological consultations performed during minimum 5 days. Vd patients with PFMD overactive
state were qualified by a gynecologist to the therapy, who also summarizes the treatment. Pain rate and
characteristics of vulvar discomfort were assessed before and 2 and 6 months after therapy, recorded in NRS.
Results: Vulvar pain and discomfort subjective reduction by 65% was confirmed after therapy, even more,
2/3 of women reported a minimum 50% relief in pain, the improvements were maintained over the time.
The best treatment results in dyspareunia women caused by provoked Vd were obtained. The outcome was
not dependent on the duration of Vd.
Conclusions: In the center when women with vulvar diseases and Vd are treated, interdisciplinary Vd therapeutic
program was developed. Recover therapy can lead to clinically meaningful improvement in Vd
pain, according to chronic pain therapy assessment criteria. Randomized clinical trial with control group
is indicated, when other key parameters of IMMPACT consensus, for Recover therapy assessment, would
be taken under consideration.
Keywords
chronic pain, dyspareunia, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorders, multidisciplinary therapy, pelvic floor muscles dysfunction, vulvodynia
About this articleTitle
Is Recover therapy effective in reducing pain in women with vulvodynia?
Journal
Journal of Sexual and Mental Health
Issue
Vol 18 (2020): Continuous Publishing
Article type
Research paper
Published online
2020-12-01
Page views
860
Article views/downloads
333
DOI
10.5603/SP.2020.0006
Bibliographic record
Seksuologia Polska 2020;18.
Keywords
chronic pain
dyspareunia
genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorders
multidisciplinary therapy
pelvic floor muscles dysfunction
vulvodynia
Authors
Ewa Baszak-Radomańska
Jadwiga Wańczyk-Baszak
Marta Nowosad
Joanna Sawka
Agnieszka Mazurkiewicz
Karolina Ochnik-Bąk
Paweł Malicki
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