It's best known for banishing wrinkles, but an increasing number of women are turning to Botox injections to relieve the pain of endometriosis.
Leading Mater Private Hospital Brisbane gynaecologist Dr Albert Jung said injections of the protein can significantly reduce pelvic pain and be life-changing for many patients.
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain in the pelvis, as well as bowel, bladder and fertility problems.
This month is Endometriosis Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness of a condition that affects almost 1 million Australian women.
"Botox is used to help relax muscles and when used in conjunction with pelvic floor physiotherapy, it can be very effective in treating symptoms of endometriosis, which is administered through an injection in the groin," Dr Jung said.
"The injection goes through a large opening in the hip bone to target mainly the deep obturator internus muscles in the pelvic floor."
Dr Jung said that Mater patients are injected with Dysport, a brand similar to Botox.
Both Dysport and Botox contain botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyses muscles and helps ease pain.
Last year Dr Jung treated 40 women with injections to alleviate endometriosis-related pain.
"Patients with persistent pelvic pain, which can be secondary to endometriosis, will often have overactive pelvic floor muscles," Dr Jung said.
"Our natural response to pain is to contract our muscles, and so when we have pain in our pelvis, our pelvic floor muscles tighten.
"This happens without conscious thought and sustained contraction can lead to more pain."
In these situations, patients need to be 're-taught' how to relax their pelvic floor muscles, Dr Jung explained
"We're better understanding the importance of a multi-modal approach to persistent pelvic pain," Dr Jung said.
"It is a relatively low-risk procedure and has a much better outcome than repeat laparoscopies. The treatment can be very effective in some patients."
West End resident Katrina Moore, 47, had the procedure at Mater Private Hospital Brisbane in January this year and said the results were "life-changing".
"My pain levels have easily dropped 75 per cent at least and I have gone from taking painkillers every day to maybe just a few times a month now," Ms Moore said.
Ms Moore discovered the treatment option after having successful Botox injections to treat constant pain in her jaw and surrounding muscles.
"I started thinking if the same would help with my pelvic pain, did some research, and was delighted to find out my gynaecologist Dr Jung was able to help me with this," she said.
In 2022, the financial planner was bedridden for a year due to endometriosis and last year the disease left her unable to walk at times.
Mrs Moore underwent a laparoscopy in 2021 and a hysterectomy in 2022, before resorting to injectable treatments.
Ms Moore was not medically diagnosed with endometriosis until she was aged 40, despite years of trying to seek medical help for her chronic fatigue, pain and infertility.
"My greatest sadness in life is that due to this condition, I was unable to have biological children of my own," she said.
"I am able to go to sleep now with minimal pain or sometimes none, as opposed to every night being unable to sleep without taking painkillers and using a hot water bottle."
Dr Jung said the effects of Botox usually lasted for three to six months, but if patients undertake pelvic floor physiotherapy they can be pain-free for more than 12 months.
"It is a great option, particularly for who have exhausted all other treatments," he said.
"Most women will only have two to three doses of Botox in their life."
