Effectiveness of vaginal adelmidrol for treating pelvic visceral discomforts and anxiety: a prospective observational study

Aim. The aim of this paper was to show that self-assessed anxiety in patients with pelvic visceral discomforts is reduced after the intravaginal administration of adelmidrol. Material and methods. Twenty-four patients who described themselves as anxious (scoring 5 or more in a 1 to 10 scale in a self-assessment test) and who suffered from pelvic visceral discomfort (during defecation, urination, sexual intercourse and menstruation) were enrolled in the study. Pelvic visceral discomforts were assessed using a questionnaire in which patients were asked to assign a score between 1 and 10 according to intensity. The patients were offered intravaginal adelmidrol therapy (2%, 4.5 ml twice a day for 30 days). The patients were interviewed again and asked to self-assess anxiety and pelvic visceral discomfort at the end of therapy. Results. 12 patients underwent adelmidrol therapy. With the exception of urinary discomfort, all the median scores of pelvic visceral discomforts had improved after 30 days, with significant values achieved for menstruation (P=0.013) and sexual intercourse (P=0.013). Anxiety had also decreased after 30 days (P=0.025), regardless of changes in discomfort levels. Conclusion. Adelmidrol could selectively modulate the visceral nociceptive pathways (interoception), relieving pelvic discomfort. This action should have an independent effeet on anxiety responses.