Urethral pain syndrome (UPS) is characterized by recurrent or persistent symptoms such as urethral or pelvic pain, daytime frequency and nocturia with unclear aetiology are diagnosed as UPS. Chronic infection by fastidious bacteria leading to chronic inflammation and pain may also cause UPS. Due to the unclear aetiology, the optimal treatment is challenging. It is therefore essential to find new and effective treatment options for patients suffering from UPS. Over the last few years, the use of lasers has become more popular to treat gynaecological and urogynecological conditions including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), vaginal prolapse and other conditions. In several trials, vaginal laser therapy has been shown to have a very good effect on SUI and GSM. Very few publications are available on the use of intraurethral laser therapy for the treatment of SUI and GSM with promising results. This is the first study to test the effect of intraurethral and vaginal laser therapy for the treatment of UPS. The hypothesis is that symptoms can be relieved in patients with UPS i.e. a reduction of urethral pressure pain upon palpation can be achieved.
Urethral pain syndrome (UPS) is defined by the occurrence of persistent or recurrent episodic urethral pain in the absence of proven infection or other obvious pathology. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of an intraurethral and vaginal laser therapy for the treatment of UPS. The hypothesis is that a significant reduction of urethral pressure pain can be achieved.