Sacral magnetic stimulation in non‐inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome

OBJECTIVES To prospectively evaluate sacral magnetic high‐frequency stimulation as a treatment option for patients with non‐inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS, category IIIB). PATIENTS AND METHODS Fourteen men with CPPS IIIB were treated with high‐frequency sacral magnetic stimulation, with 10 treatment sessions once a week for 30 min at a frequency of 50 Hz. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI) and quality‐of‐life index were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS All patients tolerated the stimulation well and 12 of 14 reported agreeable sensations during stimulation. There were no complications; only one patient did not complete the treatment course. The mean (range) total NIH‐CPSI score did not change with treatment, at 27 (18–38) before and 27 (4–40) after treatment. Moreover, there was no sustained effect on the mean scores for pain, micturition complaints or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS High‐frequency sacral magnetic stimulation in patients with CPPS IIIB only reduces pain during stimulation, with no sustained relief of symptoms. Therefore, intermittent sacral magnetic stimulation cannot be recommended as a treatment option for CPPS IIIB.