Pertubation with lidocaine - a non-hormonal, long-term treatment of dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis

Abstract

The major symptoms of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea and infertility. Pertubations with lidocaine have been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea and have an enhancing effect on fertility. Different concentrations of lidocaine were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind study of pre-ovulatory pertubations with lidocaine solutions in women with dysmenorrhea. The patients had laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis and normal fallopian tubes. Ninety pertubations were carried out without complications on 26 patients during up to six cycles. The effect was evaluated by means of questionnaires where a clinically significant reduction of dysmenorrhea was reported. Pertubation with lidocaine can be a non-hormonal treatment option for dysmenorrhea. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.