• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.214-226
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review clinical studies of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder (GPPPD) in women. Methods: Key words "Dyspareunia", "Vaginismus" were searched on Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI) on April 21th 2019. Results: 2 case reports and 7 clinical trials were collected in accordance with the selection and exclusion criteria. Among the 7 trials, 4 were controlled trials, and 3 were single-arm trials. The types of intervention were herb medication in 8 studies, and compound TCM treatment including acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping therapy in 1 study. All 4 controlled trials were about dyspareunia and conducted by herbal medicine of TCM. The study results and methods of intervention were analyzed. Conclusions: 2 case reports described the effectiveness of compound TCM treatments (acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping therapy) and herb medicine in dyspareunia. In 4 controlled trials, 2 trials described the effectiveness of herb medicine (oral or vaginal agent) compared to western treatment in dyspareunia, and other 2 trials described no effectiveness of herbal enema compared to danazol. In 3 single-arm trials, 1 trial of dyspareunia and 2 trials of vaginismus described the effectiveness of herb medicine. All the 9 selected studies reported improved or disappeared symptoms of GPPPD, or high effective rate after TCM treatment. There was limitation that the selected studies were retrieved from only one site of CNKI, and generalized results could not be derived, further studies should be carried out. Additional well-designed clinical studies on GPPPD in women are needed in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.149-151
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• 1995

Piriformis syndrome is a syndrome of low back and leg radiating pain thought to be due to a chronic contracture of the piriformis muscle that causes irritation of the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is a flat pyramidal muscle, an external rotator and abductor of the hip, originating from the front of the sacrum and inner aspect of the sacroiliac joint, then passes laterally out of the sciatic notch to attach posteriorly to the greater trochanter of the femur, the sciatic nerve passes between the two bellies of the muscle. Mechanical irritation of the sciatic nerve by an inflammatory reaction of the piriformis muscle and its fascia at this pelvic level causes pain to radiate in the dermatomal regions of the nerve roots similar to that disk entrapment. diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is made primary on the basis of history and clinical examination. The incidence is considerably higher in women, with the reported ratio of women to men of 6:1. These patients frequently present with associated symptoms of pelvic pain and/or dyspareunia. Symptoms are usually unilateral but occasionally be bilateral. We had a 42 year-old woman patient with low back and left leg radiating pain and dyspareunia treated by caudal steroid and local anesthetic.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.251-254
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• 2007

Perineal pain is a significant diagnostic challenge to the pain practitioner, and accurate diagnosis and treatment is essential. We report a case of 42-years old female patient suffering from excruciating vulvodynia for 5 years. Her pain on the visual analogue scale was 10 out of 10 and her pain was associated with sleep disturbance, dyspareunia, and chronic fatigue. She was diagnosed with a bladder stone by imaging, and The pain was relieved by cystolitholapaxy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.159-169
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine treatments on a vulvodynia. Methods: The patients appealed for chronic vulvar pain with no clear identifiable cause. Two patients suffered from generalized vulvodynia, one suffered from provoked vestibulodynia. They were treated by Korean medical treatments, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. Results: After the treatment, the vulvar pain decreased. One suffered from provoked vestibulodynia succeeded in having non-painful penetrative sexual intercourse. Conclusions: This study shows that Korean medicine treatments were effective in reducing symptoms of vulvodynia.

• Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.177-179
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• 2018

A rectocele with a weakened rectovaginal septum can be repaired with various surgical techniques. We performed laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall repair and rectovaginal septal reinforcement without mesh using a modified transperineal approach. A 63-year-old woman with outlet dysfunction constipation complained of lower pelvic pressure and sense of heaviness for 30 years. Initial defecography showed an anterior rectocele with a 45-mm anterior bulge and perineal descent. Laparoscopic procedures included peritoneal and rectovaginal septal dissection directed toward the perineal body, rectovaginal septal suturing, and peritoneal closure. The patient started a soft diet the following day and was discharged on the 5th postoperative day without any complications. The patient had no dyschezia or dyspareunia, and no problem with bowel function; 3-month follow-up defecography showed a decrease in bulging to 18 mm. Laparoscopic posterior vaginal wall and rectovaginal septal repair is safe and feasible for treatment of a rectocele, and enables early recovery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3561-3564
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• 2013

Background: The negative effects of gynecologic cancer on women's health is multidimensional. Sexual problems arising after chemotherapy are decreased interest and vaginal lubrication, lack of orgasm and dyspareunia and sense of reduction in sexual attractiveness in general. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes that patients who receive chemotherapy for a gynecologic oncology disorder experience in their sexual functions. Materials and Methods: A descriptive/cross-sectional and qualitative study was performed. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used in order to collect data on sexual capacity. The quantitative data obtained were evaluated with frequency and percentage calculations while content analysis was performed for the qualitative data. Results: All of the information related to sexuality was provided by the physician. Chemotherapy treatment affected sexuality negatively in 55.9%. Since receiving the diagnosis, 52.9% of women had experienced no sexual intercourse at all. Those who had an FSFI score of 30 and below made up 75% of the women. After the content analysis of data obtained during in in-depth interviewing, we focused on three main themes: desire for sexual intercourse, problems experienced during sexual intercourse, and coping with problems. Conclusions: An integrated system where sexual problems can be handled professionally should be present during gynecological cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6657-6663
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• 2014

Background: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of sexual problems of Turkish patients receiving gynecologic cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample of 168 women completed the Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and a Patient Identification Form in a hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Mean IFSF scores of the patients were low ($15.7{\pm}5.72$, out of a possible 45), indicating high rates of sexual problems. Results: Women frequently reported problems with dyspareunia (97.1%), vaginal dryness (97.6%), decreased sexual desire (91.1%), and difficulties of sexual arousal (92.9%) related with the cancer treatment process. They reported increased sexual problems following the period of treatment as compared to before treatment (p<0.05). Sexual dysfunction was associated with low educational and income levels, advanced age, TAH-BSO-LND surgery (total abdominal hysterectomy-bilateral salphingoopherectomylymph node dissection), experiencing side effects of chemotherapy, receiving chemotherapy in addition to surgery and radiotherapy (CT+RT+Surgery), and having a large number of chemotherapy cycles (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients hoped for and expected counseling from healthcare professionals about their sexual functioning in relation to cancer treatments. Nurses and physicians can help to improve the overall quality of life for gynecologic cancer patients through sexual counseling.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.341-346
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• 1995

Piriformis Syndrome is characterized by pain of the low back, groin, perineum, buttock, hip, posterior thigh, leg and foot. Symptoms are aggravated by sitting, prolonged combination of hip flexion, adduction, the medial rotation, or by activity. In addition, patient may complain of painful swelling of the limb and sexual dysfunction-dyspareunia in female, and impotence in male. It currently appears that three specific conditions may contribute to the piriformis syndrome: (a) myofascial pain; (b) nerve and vascular entrapment; (c) dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. The important keys of diagnosis are history and physical examination. There is no known objective diagnostic method. We described the clinical features of four cases of piriformis syndrome and reviewed foreign literature.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to overview the studies of acupuncture treatment for vulvodynia. Methods: In order to investigate the effect of acupuncture treatment for vulvodynia, we searched relevant studies in Pubmed, Cochrane, Oasis, KISS up to October 2018. After searching studies, we analyzed selected studies. Results: Six studies were included in this review. There were 3 randomized controlled studies and 3 before and after studies. The outcome measurement of vulvodynia was divided into pain, sexual function, and quality of life. The acupuncture treatment was effective in relieving vulvar pain, dyspareunia and improving quality of life. Conclusions: This study shows that acupuncture treatment is one of effective treatment methods for vulvodynia. Further large randomized placebo controlled trials will be needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.277-281
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• 2019

Recto-vaginal fistulas are difficult to treat due to their high recurrence rate. Currently, no single surgical intervention is universally regarded as the best treatment option for recto-vaginal fistulas. We present a case of recurrent recto-vaginal fistula surgically treated with a gracilis pull-through flap. The surgical goals in this patient were complete excision of the recto-vaginal fistula and introduction of fresh, vascularized muscle to seal the fistula. A defunctioning colostomy was performed 1 month prior to the present procedure. The gracilis muscle and tendon were mobilized, pulled through the freshened recto-vaginal fistula, passed through the anus, and anchored externally. Excess muscle and tendon were trimmed 1 week after the procedure. Follow-up at 4 weeks demonstrated complete mucosal coverage over an intact gracilis muscle, and no leakage. At 8 weeks post-procedure, the patient resumed sexual intercourse with no dyspareunia. At 6 months post-procedure, her stoma was closed. The patient reported transient fecal staining of her vagina after stoma reversal, which resolved with conservative treatment. The fistula had not recurred at 20 months post-procedure. The gracilis pull-through flap is a reliable technique for a scarred vagina with an attenuated recto-vaginal septum. It can function as a well-vascularized tissue plug to promote healing.