Comparison of alpha-blocker, extracorporeal magnetic stimulation alone and in combination in the management of female bladder outlet obstruction

To determine the effects of alpha-blocker, extracorporeal magnetic innervations (ExMI) alone and combination treatment on female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Sixty women with BOO were divided into three groups according to the treatment. After 3 months, the clinical outcomes were evaluated by clinical examination, international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), 3-day voiding diary, uroflowmetry and post-void residual. At 3 months, symptom improvement was 52.6% in alpha-blocker monotherapy (group I), 50.0% in ExMI monotherapy (group II), and 57.1% in combination therapy (group III). Maximum flow rate increased and total IPSS decreased significantly in all groups (p < 0.05). Storage symptom subscore was more reduced in groups II and III and QOL improved significantly in group III (p < 0.05) This study demonstrates that both alpha-blocker and ExMI were effective in female BOO, and ExMI may be more effective for improving storage symptoms.