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Botulinum Toxin A: Evolving Treatment Strategies for the Chronic Pelvic Pain Patient

  • Pelvic Pain (R Moldwin and S Bahlani, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is defined as pain perceived within the structures of the male or female pelvis of at least 6-month duration. The management of CPPS in both men and women poses a challenge to both the clinician and the patient. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is known to block the release of neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction but also appears to have anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. BoNT-A has been used for over two decades to treat conditions associated with pathological muscle hyperactivity. There is emerging evidence that BoNT-A may play a role in treating CPPS when alternate treatments and more conservative measures have been ineffective. Moving forward, well-designed clinical trials are needed to further investigate the utility of BoNT-A use in the treatment of CPPS.

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Correspondence to Patrick J. Shenot.

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Drs Smith, Murphy, Das, and Shenot declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pelvic Pain

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Smith, W.R., Murphy, A.M., Das, A.K. et al. Botulinum Toxin A: Evolving Treatment Strategies for the Chronic Pelvic Pain Patient. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 11, 277–283 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-016-0374-3

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