Transvaginal Shockwave Therapy (TVST) - A Novel Treatment Modality for Premenopause Female Sexual Dysfunction

To assess the saftey profile and clinical benefit of a new transvaginal application of low intensity shockwaves for treatment of FSD. This was a single arm pilot study including 15 premenopause patients aged 30-46 with sexual dysfunction symptoms. Patients were treated with the MoreNova (Hikkonu Ltd., Israel) low intensity shockwave system and a newly introduced transvaginal treatment probe. Application of shockwaves (energy density= 0.09 mJoule/mm2) was to the vaginal wall and to the labium minora and majora. Patients were provided with six treatment sessions in a clinic setting and at a rate of two sessions/week, each session lasting approx. 20 minutes. We interviewed the patients before the treatment and at 4 weeks and 12 weeks post treatments and used the The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire for assessing the clinical impact. All 15 patients concluded the treatment and 14 patients are cooperating fully with the follow up visits. The average baseline FSFI score of all patients was 12.7. At the one month follow up assessment the average FSFI score was 21.2. At this time, 10 patients have concluded their 3 month evaluation with an average FSFI score of 24.9. There were no side effects experienced by patients related to these treatments. The transvaginal application was easily performed whereas no patients complained of pain or discomfort. FSD is highly common among women of menopause age, but also of younger ages, and there is a need for new technology based treatment solutions with a high safety profile. Transvaginal low intensity shockwave therapy seems to be a safe and efficient new option. This limited pilot study supports the need for larger and controlled studies to better understand the clinical benefit also for women suffering from FSD related, and not related, to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. I have no conflict of interest