The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:2:75-79
doi: 10.1576/toag.10.2.075.27394
Copyright © 2008 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Nonurological uses of botulinum toxin in gynaecology
Akila Anbazhagan, MRCOG, Specialist Registrar1 and
Ralph Roberts, MD FRCP MRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist2
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK
2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald BT16 1RH, UK Email: ralph.roberts{at}setrust.hscni.net (corresponding author)
Key content:
- Botulinum toxin is a powerful neurotoxin which causes temporary flaccid muscle paralysis.
- A number of potential gynaecological applications have been described in addition to the well-established uses in urogynaecology.
Learning objectives:
- To understand how botulinum toxin works.
- To learn about the preparations available and their contraindications and side-effects.
- To be aware of the potential uses of botulinum toxin in the treatment of vaginismus and other gynaecological pain syndromes.
Ethical issues:
- Many of the uses described are still essentially experimental, although largely accepted into mainstream practice: does this need to be acknowledged when counselling women?
Please cite this article as: Anbazhagan A, Roberts R. Nonurological uses of botulinum toxin in gynaecology. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:75–79.
Keywords botulinum toxin / chronic pelvic pain / vaginismus / vulvar vestibulitis / vulvodynia
Copyright © 2008 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.