Suppression of pelvic pain during hysteroscopy with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain control method during office hysteroscopy.

Design: A prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Gynecological Science and Perinatology, "La Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.

Patient(s): One hundred forty-two patients undergoing office hysteroscopy.

Intervention(s): Application of a TENS device on the patient's abdomen before and during office hysteroscopy.

Main outcome measures: The level of pain experienced by the patients was assessed using a 10 cm visual analog scale; the side effects and changes in the hemodynamic parameters were evaluated.

Result(s): The patients treated with TENS during hysteroscopy (group A, n = 71) were compared with a control group (group B, n = 71) on whom the TENS device was not used. The women in the TENS group experienced a significantly lower level of pain during hysteroscopy. No differences in side effects were observed between both group.

Conclusion(s): TENS is a simple, efficient, and safe method of relieve pain during office hysteroscopy.