Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Bladder and Pelvic Disorders

Botulinum toxins blocks the release of neurotransmitters at nerve-muscle junction. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that convey the message of the nerve to the muscle and activate the muscle. In human, the main neurotransmitter of nerve-muscle junction is acetylcholine that activates all skeletal muscles as well as visceral muscles such as those present in the bladder. Clinical research and experience over the past 30 years have proved the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection into the bladder wall in improving bladder overactivity problems. The symptoms of bladder dysfunction, overactivity, urinary urgency and incontinence impairs the patients’ quality of life. Botulinum toxins are also effective in relieving pelvic pain in both genders due to their blocking effect on pain neurotransmitters (substance P, glutamate and CGRP).