We have been using Botox to treat Vaginismus here at Maze for almost 10 years now. It has been a life changer for so many patients who have had difficulty getting started with dilation. Not many practices perform this procedure, so I would like to take this opportunity to answer some frequently asked questions.
- Does the Botox procedure hurt? The procedure itself does not hurt. You are given IV anesthesia, and once you are asleep we start the procedure. First we use the dilators to stretch out the muscles in the vagina. Next, we put in a speculum which gives us good visualization of the vagina. We perform a pap if needed, and then inject the Botox into the muscles. We follow it up with injections of lidocaine (a numbing medicine). The procedure itself takes less than 15 minutes. When you wake up, you are pretty numb, and we start dilation right away. You can feel pretty sore for a few days following, but that doesn’t last for too long.
- Do I have to dilate if I get the Botox procedure done? Yes! Those vaginal muscles are tight and they will still need to be stretched. The botox just prevents the muscle from re-spasming, so it makes dilation easier. But you still need to dilate.
- Does the Botox procedure cause any scarring? The procedure does not cause any scarring. The Botox is injected into the muscle with very tiny needles, smaller than what is used to draw your blood, and the injection sites heal within a few days.
- How long does Botox last? Will I need to repeat the procedure? The Botox lasts for up to 6 months, giving you plenty of time to work on dilating and stretching out those muscles. Once you have worked through all the dilators, you will have a maintenance dilation plan that will keep those muscles relaxed, so you won’t need a repeat procedure.
Have more questions? Not sure if the procedure is right for you? Contact us to schedule a free phone consultation with one of our practitioners.