Retrospective chart review of vaginal diazepam suppository use in high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction

Abstract

To study intravaginal diazepam suppositories as adjunctive treatment for high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction (HTPFD) and sexual pain. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 26 patients who received diazepam suppositories as adjuvant therapy to pelvic physical therapy and intramuscular trigger point injections for bladder pain, sexual pain, and levator hypertonus. Pelvic floor muscular tone and pain were assessed by palpation and perineometry; sexual pain was objectively rated by Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS-P). Twenty-five out of 26 patients reported subjective improvement with suppository use; six out of seven sexually active patients resumed intercourse. Sexual pain as assessed on FSFI and serial VAS-P improved with diazepam (by 1.44 on 10-point scale, p=0.14). PFM tone improved during resting (p<0.001), squeezing (p=0.014), and relaxation (p=0.003) phases. Vaginal diazepam suppositories gave a clinically significant improvement in the treatment of HTPFD compared with the usual treatment regimen alone. © 2010 The International Urogynecological Association.