The Effect of subcutaneous injection of Mistletoe extract for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Rim, So Yi; Oh, Sung Taek

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Chronic pelvic pain is pelvic pain which is not completely controlled by classical treatments. In many reports, immune alternation is related to original diseases that induce the chronic pelvic pain. Mistletoe extract has been known that it has immune modulation effect. Therefore the purpose of this study is to determine the pain-reducing effects of mistletoe extract for chronic pelvic pain that is not controlled by classical treatments.
METHODS
The fitty-eight patients who visited to outpatient department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonnam National University Hospital due to chronic pelvic pain. Mistletoe extract (Helixor-A(R)) 5-10 mg was injected subcutaneously 3 times per week for 5 weeks, and the change of pain and short-term side-effects after injections were observed. In patients after 6 month of follow-up, the change of pain and long-term side-effects were also observed.
RESULTS
In 2 of 58 patients (0.03%), treatments were discontinued doe to severe general side effect. In 48 of 56 patients (85.7%), chronic pelvic pains were improved. In 40 of 56 patients (69%), mild side effects as like mild itching were appeared and they were easily controlled by anti-histamines and conservative treatments. In 6 months after injection, general itching sensation and easily catched common cold were complaint in 4 of 10 patients.
CONCLUSION
The subcutaneous injection of mistletoe extract may effective treatment method for the chronic pelvic pain that is not controlled by classical treatment. However more studies about log-term effect of mistletoe therapy are needed.