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Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:01 pm  |
This harks back to an earlier post somewhere in here about remedies for monthly cramps.
Doctors find new use for Botox
30th November 2006, 9:15 WST
A drug famed for smoothing women's wrinkles may soon be soothing their period pain too.
In a world-first trial at Sydney's Royal Hospital for Women, doctors have begun injecting Botox into the womb of women with severe and prolonged monthly cramps.
Up to 10 per cent of fertile women suffer from period pain, when the uterus contracts erratically and "fights" against itself.
Professor Thierry Vancaillie from the department of endo-gynaecology said anecdotal evidence seems to show the toxic bacteria botulinum toxin can paralyse the region and bring relief.
"Like it works on the face, we believe if you inject Botox into the uterus it relaxes the muscles by stopping the nerves from working," Prof Vancaillie.
"It's really logical but it hasn't been tried yet which is amazing."
Botox is most widely used for cosmetic purposes but has also been shown to be effective in treating cerebral palsy, neck and facial spasms, chronic migraine, incontinence and chronic sweating.
A study by the hospital also found it could bring relief for women with general pelvic pain, prompting researchers to investigate other benefits of the drug.
The hospital is enlisting 20 women, aged 18 to 55, who are incapacitated by their periods - "the kind that are down for two days a month".
"Most women can manage pain associated with periods by using over-the-counter medication, but some women are crippled by period pain," Prof Vancaillie said.
"In many of these cases there is no medical reason for the period pain, unlike women diagnosed with endometriosis, and so existing treatments are ineffective."
In the pilot study, each woman will be mildly sedated and injected with between 100 and 200 international units of Botox.
The dose, worth between $500 and $1,000, would paralyse the lower part of the uterus for 12 to 14 weeks.
While it's too early to predict the trial's results, its success would have huge implications, he said.
"If it works, we will be able to treat this very widespread problem at the source of the pain rather than just subduing it," the researcher said.
"There are a lot of women that would love that idea, I'm sure."
The hospital will conduct a large-scale study if findings, to be presented at the end of next year, show a 60 per cent success rate.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=27&ContentID=15053 |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:08 pm |
The timing of this article is just perfect.  |
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Fri Feb 23, 2007 5:09 pm |
Thanks for posting nyonyakay, very interesting. Don't know what to make of it. I think its a procedure that can easily be abused. Unless its only for women with severe cramps.  |
_________________
Simple but No Simplier...Approaching late 20s, Normal/Combination Skin, Rarely Breakout now but have some old acne marks, sunspots, & broken caps |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:43 am |
| Every procedure can be easily abused. My main concern would be long term effects on uterine contractions for women of child bearing years who want to get pregnant in the future. Will it make labour even more difficult? Who knows. I'm lucky to never have cramps but I have a friend who is totally incapacitated one day every month, and in considerable pain for 2-3 days more. Nothing has worked to relieved her pain and believe me she's tried everthing. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:49 am |
| luckylouie wrote: |
| I'm lucky to never have cramps but I have a friend who is totally incapacitated one day every month, and in considerable pain for 2-3 days more. Nothing has worked to relieved her pain and believe me she's tried everthing. |
has she tried Clary Sage? |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:58 am |
Botox is already used by some doctors in the lower abdomen, on things around the bladder, and it is used for pain in other areas like for TMJ (jaw pain/hedaches). Insurance usually doesn't cover it. maybe after there is actually more data indicating its level of effectiveness on average for this or that problem, insurance will cover it. Probably a matter of making the toxin more and more cheaply in the lab too.
I would LOVE to try this for my menstrual cramps. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:24 am |
Ummmm, I think I'll pass on this one.  |
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Global Butterfly & Certified Aromatherapist/Holisitc Therapist with a passion for travel and natural health.  |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:00 am |
| I've never really suffered this way, but I know a lot of women who do and it's just miserable for them. If this was proven to help without side-effects I'm sure it could be a popular choice! |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:07 am |
Good thing I don't have a uterus, I would have tried it there too!  |
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Joined the 50 club several years back, blonde w/ fair/sensitive skin, Texas humidity and prone to rosacea, light breakouts and sunburns, combo skin type, starting to see sundamage and fine lines |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:57 am |
| I'd do it in a instant - if it worked. |
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Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:16 pm |
| Sounds good. If it works it will be helpful. |
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