Key Points:
- Vaginal Botox helps relieve pelvic pain and spasms after childbirth.
- The treatment is safe, with effects lasting several months.
- Other options include physical therapy, dilators, and medication.
- Relief from pain can improve daily life and confidence for new moms.
A growing number of women are turning to Botox injections in the vagina—sometimes called “boxtox”—to ease pelvic pain and muscle spasms that can linger long after childbirth. Doctors say this treatment can help women who experience discomfort, tension, or pain in the pelvic area after giving birth.
Why Women Try Vaginal Botox
Childbirth can stretch and damage the pelvic floor muscles, leading to problems like painful intercourse, muscle spasms, and ongoing vaginal discomfort. Dr. Sameea Chughtai, a board-certified physician in Chicago, explains that about half of women experience pelvic floor issues within 10 years of having a baby.
Botox, best known for smoothing wrinkles, works by relaxing tight muscles. When injected into the pelvic floor, it can relieve pain and spasms, and even treat conditions like vaginismus, which causes involuntary muscle contractions.
The Treatment Process
Before the procedure, doctors assess each patient’s needs. A numbing cream or mild anesthetic is used, and then Botox is injected into the affected muscles. Most women describe the feeling as a quick pinch or mild pressure. The effects usually last four to six months, and many women return for follow-up treatments to maintain relief.
After the injections, patients are advised to avoid sexual activity, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise for about two days. Any mild soreness typically goes away quickly.
Other Options for Relief
Botox isn’t the only solution. Pelvic floor physical therapy is a common first step, using exercises, manual therapy, and relaxation techniques to strengthen and relax muscles. Vaginal dilators, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback tools can also help. For more severe cases, medications or surgery may be recommended.
Improving Quality of Life
Dr. Chughtai says that finding relief from pelvic pain can help new mothers feel more comfortable, confident, and able to focus on caring for their babies. Modern treatments mean women don’t have to accept pain as a normal part of recovery after childbirth.
Read more:
- AI Advances Early Detection of Postpartum Mental Health Risks
- Postpartum Preeclampsia: Symptoms, Risks, and Effective Treatments
- How Long Does Postpartum OCD Last?
