PubMed · 9174748
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R Osathanondh. 1997. Dysmenorrhea.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9174748/
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The contrasting findings obtained in the studies that have attempted to correlate the stage of endometriosis with severity of pain symptoms suggest that some specific characteristics of the lesions are more implicated in the genesis of pain than disease extension per se. Thus, fresh, metabolically active, intraperitoneal implants may cause functional pain symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, whereas infiltrating, nodular and fibrotic lesions are responsible for organic-type pain such as deep dyspareunia. Women with symptomatic endometriosis seem to have reduced peripheral beta-endorphin production in comparison with pain patients without the disease, although neuroendocrine modulation of pelvic nociceptive stimuli is far from clear. There is little evidence to support the notion that specific psychiatric features render some women more vulnerable to developing endometriosis, as results from investigations performed on women with asymptomatic lesions are very similar to normative data. Moreover, it appears that the psychological profile of symptomatic patients with the disease is no different from those with pain and a normal pelvis or other gynecological conditions. Consequently, the local biochemical and physical effects of lesions seem to be the most important factors in determining frequency and severity of symptoms.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacological and non-invasive pain-relief method that has been proven effective for a variety of conditions. Electrical therapy has been recognized for a long time but its practical clinical application in the form of TENS has been evaluated only during the last 30 years as a result of several theories on pain. The most known of these with regard to TENS development is the "gate theory", although several others have also played a role. In obstetrics and gynecology, TENS has been found to be effective in alleviating labor pain and in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. It has also been used successfully following obstetric and gynecologic surgery. In order to be effective in clinical use for obstetric and gynecologic indications, a TENS device must have certain properties, which are detailed in this review. Although new TENS devices that meet all the necessary requirements have been developed and tested, their use is still far from widespread. Patients and medical staff should be encouraged to try the TENS device for obstetric and gynecologic indications, since it is non-invasive, efficient, and easy to use.
The performance of the presacral neurectomy with a standard laparoscopic approach utilizing a Contact-tip Nd: YAG Laser with the GRP6 sapphire scalpel tip is feasible, effective, and safe. Patients suffering from severe disabling dysmenorrhea have had complete relief of their symptoms with up to an eighteen-month follow up. The resection of the presacral nerve plexus is associated with significant relief of symptoms. The pain impulses from the uterus which travel through the inferior hypogastric plexus into the intermediate hypogastric plexus and the superior hypogastric plexus can be interrupted by the performance of this procedure in a laparoscopic manner. The intermediate hypogastric plexus which is composed of two or three trunks lying on the vertebral body of L5 is the most appropriate place for the resection. The presacral neurectomy is not appropriate treatment for relief of lateral or back pain. Patients with midline pain will experience significant relief by the use of this procedure. In conclusion, the performance of the presacral neurectomy utilizing the Contact-tip Nd: YAG Laser with GRP6 sapphire tip combined with other conservative surgery for resection of endometriosis does offer relief of dysmenorrhea and other pelvic pain and is an alternative for women wishing further childbearing and those who do not wish a hysterectomy. Twenty women in whom this procedure has been performed have reported a decrease in pain level from 9.4 (scale of 0 = no pain to 10 = disabling pain) to 2.0 with follow up to 18 months. There have been no complications with this procedure.