Perineal Massage Improves the Dyspareunia Caused by Tenderness of the Pelvic Floor Muscles / Massagem perineal melhora a dispareunia causada por tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico

ABSTRACT Aim: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of perineal Thiele massage in the treatment of women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles. Methods: A total of 18 women with diagnoses of dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles were included in the study. The women were divided in two groups: the dyspareunia (D) group - 8 women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles; and the chronic pelvic pain group (CPP) group - 10 women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles associated with CPP. Each patient filled out the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the McGill Pain Index, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). After an evaluation, the women underwent transvaginal massage using the Thiele technique over a period of 5 minutes, once a week for 4 weeks. Results: All women had significant improvements in their dyspareunia according the VAS and the McGill Pain Index (p < 0,001), but the HADS scores did not show significant differences. Regarding sexual function, the D group showed improvements on all aspects of sexual function, while the CPP group showed differences only in the pain domain. Conclusion: Thiele massage is effective in the treatment of dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles with a long-term pain relief.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia em longo prazo da massagem perineal de Thiele no tratamento de mulheres com dispareunia provocada pela tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico. Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo dezoito mulheres com diagnóstico de dispareunia provocada pela tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico. As mulheres foram divididas em dois grupos: o grupo dispareunia (D) - 8 mulheres com dispareunia causada pela tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico; e o grupo de dor pélvica crônica (DPC): 10 mulheres com dispareunia causada pela tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico associados à DPC. Cada paciente preencheu Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), Índice de Dor de McGill, Índice de Função Sexual Feminino (IFSF) e Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (EHAD). Após a avaliação, as mulheres foram submetidas a massagem transvaginal utilizando a técnica de Thiele ao longo de um período de 5 minutos, 1 vez por semana durante 4 semanas. Resultados: Todas as mulheres tiveram melhora significativa da dispareunia de acordo com a EVA e o Índice de Dor de McGill (p < 0,001), mas na pontuação do EHAD não mostraram diferenças significativas. Em relação à função sexual, o grupo D apresentou melhora de todos os aspectos da função sexual, enquanto o grupo DPC mostrou diferenças apenas no domínio dor. Conclusão: A massagem perineal de Thiele é eficaz no tratamento da dispareunia causada pela tensão dos músculos do assoalho pélvico, com alívio da dor a longo prazo.

Perineal Massage Improves the Dyspareunia Caused by Tenderness of the Pelvic Floor Muscles.

Aim To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of perineal Thiele massage in the treatment of women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles. Methods A total of 18 women with diagnoses of dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles were included in the study. The women were divided in two groups: the dyspareunia (D) group - 8 women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles; and the chronic pelvic pain group (CPP) group - 10 women with dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles associated with CPP. Each patient filled out the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the McGill Pain Index, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). After an evaluation, the women underwent transvaginal massage using the Thiele technique over a period of 5 minutes, once a week for 4 weeks. Results All women had significant improvements in their dyspareunia according the VAS and the McGill Pain Index (p < 0,001), but the HADS scores did not show significant differences. Regarding sexual function, the D group showed improvements on all aspects of sexual function, while the CPP group showed differences only in the pain domain. Conclusion Thiele massage is effective in the treatment of dyspareunia caused by tenderness of the pelvic floor muscles with a long-term pain relief.

Thiele massage as a therapeutic option for women with chronic pelvic pain caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal system has been found to be involved in genesis and perpetuation of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and has strong evidences that up to 80% of women with CPP present dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. In this study, we report a series of women with CPP caused by tenderness of pelvic floor muscles successfully treated with Thiele massage. METHODS: Were included in this study six women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle that underwent transvaginal massage using the Thiele technique, over a period of 5 minutes repeated once a week for 4 weeks. After 1 month, the women returned for follow-up. RESULTS: The median tenderness score for the six women evaluated was 3 at the first evaluation and 0 after 1 month of follow-up (P < 0.01). The mean Visual Analogue Scale and McGill Pain Index scores were 8.1 and 34, respectively, at the first evaluation, and 1.5 and 16.6 at follow-up (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Thiele massage appears to be very helpful for women with CPP caused by tenderness of the levator ani muscle. However, these results are preliminary and a larger number of women are necessary to obtain more conclusive results.