Pelvic Floor Muscle Training vs. Vaginal Vibration Cone Therapy for Postpartum Dyspareunia and Vaginal Laxity
Federico Villani,
Izabella Petre,
Florina Buleu,
Stela Iurciuc,
Luciana Marc,
Adrian Apostol,
Chiara Valentini,
Elisabetta Donati,
Tommaso Simoncini,
Ion Petre,
Cristian Furau
Affiliations
Federico Villani
Multidisciplinary Doctoral School, “Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania
Izabella Petre
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Florina Buleu
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Stela Iurciuc
Cardiology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Luciana Marc
Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Adrian Apostol
Centre for Molecular Research in Nephrology and Vascular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Chiara Valentini
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, UOC Obstetrics and Gynecology University I, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Elisabetta Donati
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, UOC Obstetrics and Gynecology University I, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Tommaso Simoncini
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Ion Petre
Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Cristian Furau
Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania
Background and Objectives: Pelvic floor dysfunction and sexual health issues are common postpartum due to weakened pelvic muscles, significantly impacting women’s quality of life (QoL). Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a widely used approach to address these issues. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two rehabilitation methods—vibrating vaginal cones (VCG) and PFMT exercises (CG)—in improving pelvic floor muscle strength, reducing dyspareunia, and enhancing sexual function in postpartum women. Materials and Methods: This 1-year retrospective observational analysis evaluated 57 postpartum women presenting with perineal muscle relaxation and sexual dysfunction. Participants were assessed 3 months postpartum (T0) and after 3 months of therapy (T1) at the Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Clinic of Santa Chiara Hospital, Pisa. Outcomes were measured using the pubococcygeus (PC) test for pelvic floor strength and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) for sexual function. Results: The results revealed significant improvements in pelvic floor muscle strength and sexual function across both groups. While both interventions effectively reduced dyspareunia, the VCG group demonstrated superior outcomes, with 96.67% of participants reporting no pain compared to 80.95% in the CG. FSFI scores improved significantly in both groups, with greater enhancements in arousal, desire, and pain domains observed in the VCG group (p Conclusions: These findings suggest that vibrating vaginal cones may be a promising option for postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation, with potential benefits for improving sexual satisfaction and reducing pain.
