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Pudendal Neuralgia
- Long-term pelvic pain that originates from damage/irritation of the pudendal nerve – a main nerve in the pelvis
- Supplies areas including the
- Lower buttocks
- Area between the buttocks and genitals (perineum)
- Area around the anus and rectum
- Vulva, labia and clitoris in women
- Scrotum and penis in men
- Compression of the pudendal nerve by nearby muscles/tissue – sometimes called pudendal nerve entrapment or Alcock canal syndrome
- Prolonged sitting, cycling, horseback riding or constipation (usually for months or years) – can cause repeated minor damage to the pelvic area
- Pelvic surgery
- Broken pelvis
- Damage to the pudendal nerve during childbirth
- A growth pressing on the pudendal nerve
- Pelvic pain (any of the areas supplied by the pudendal nerve can be affected), which can feel like a burning, crushing, shooting or prickling sensation
- Can develop gradually, suddenly or be constant
- Numbness and pins and needles in the pelvic area
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Feeling as though there’s swelling or an object in your perineum
- Needing to go the toilet frequently or suddenly
- Pain during sex
- Difficulty reaching orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Vaginal/Rectal exam: To see if the pain occurs when pressure is applied to the pudendal nerve
- MRI scan: To check for problems such as a trapped pudendal nerve and to rule out other possible causes
- Nerve studies: A small device inserted into the rectum is used to stimulate nearby nerves with mild electrical impulses to check how well the nerves are working
- Nerve block injections: Painkilling medication is injected around the pudendal nerve to lessen/eradicate pain
- Nerve pain medication
- Pelvic physiotherapy: Learn exercises to relax your pelvic floor muscles and other muscles that can irritate the pudendal nerve
- Painkilling injections: Local anaesthetic and steroid medication for temporary relief
- Decompression surgery: Tissue removal (if there is any) to keep it from pressing on the pudendal nerve
- Nerve stimulation: A small device is surgically implanted under the skin to deliver mild electrical impulses to the nerve and interrupt pain signals sent to the brain
- Avoid things that make the pain worse ie: cycling, prolonged sitting
- Stay regular
