Use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation and biofeedback for the treatment of vulvodynia (vulvar vestibular syndrome): result of 3 years of experience

Objective: The safety, tolerability and efficacy of physical therapy with biofeedback and trans electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with intravaginal probe for the treatment of vulvar pain and vulvar discomfort in women with vulvodynia, is evalued in the present study. Vulvodinia is a cronic syndrome of unexplained vulvar pain. Patients typically present with a history of intermittent or continuous, localized, vulvar pain, frequently accompanied by sexual dysfunction like entry dispareunia, burning and hiching localized to the vulvar vestibule.

Methods: From January 2005 and June 2007, a total 145 women diagnosed with vulvodynia presented in the ambulatory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vulvar Pain and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Clinical ''Santa Famiglia'', Rome. Patients were treated with weekly biofeedback (BFB) and transcutaneous electroanalgesia (TENS), in association with functional electrical stimulation (FES) and home-therapy with stretching exercise of pelvic floor.

Results: Hundred forty-five women completed both the biofeedback and trans electric nerve stimulation treatment for a total of 10 application, with a improvement of vulvar pain in 75.8% of cases.

Conclusions: The pelvic floor relaxation with biofeedback and ellectroanalgesia is safe and effective in improvement in vulvar pain and dyspareunia in women with vulvodynia.