Pudendal Neuralgia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
What is Pudendal Neuralgia?
Pudendal neuralgia is a specific type of pelvic pain that originates from damage or irritation of the pudendal nerve, which is a nerve that runs from your lower back to your genitals. This nerve controls sensations in the genital area, as well as muscles in the pelvic floor and anus. If you are experiencing pain in this area, especially if it’s burning and recurring, it may be due to pudendal neuralgia. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of pudendal neuralgia, as well as some of my top recommended treatment options for this condition.
Symptoms of Pudendal Neuralgia
The most common symptom of pudendal neuralgia is a pain in the pelvic area, which can range from mild to severe. The pain may be felt in the genitals, anus, or lower back and can feel like a burning sensation. Other symptoms include difficulty sitting for long periods of time, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.
There are a number of treatment options. The most common treatment is medication, such as painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Other treatments include physical therapy, acupuncture, and nerve blocks. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the symptoms of pudendal neuralgia.
What causes Pudendal Neuralgia?
There are a number of potential causes of pudendal neuralgia, including:
- Injury or damage to the pudendal nerve
- Infection or inflammation of the nerve
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prostate enlargement or surgery
- Diabetes
Why choose physical therapy for Pudendal Neuralgia?
As a pelvic floor physical therapist I, of course, recommend physical therapy as the first line of defense to treat Pudendal Neuralgia. But not just because I love what I do and have seen how much it has helped my patients.
The truth is, pelvic floor physical therapy is the only way to get to the root of the issue and lead to long-term pain relief without surgery. Physical therapy for pudendal neuralgia involves exercises and stretches that can help to improve the function of the pelvic floor muscles and reduce pain. Some common exercises and stretches for this condition include pelvic tilts and hamstring stretches, though none of these should be attempted without talking to your physical therapy provider first to determine which exercises would be best for you.
Getting Help for Your Pudendal Neuralgia
In most cases, physical therapy can help relieve symptoms and promote the healing of pudendal neuralgia. That being said, I never recommend following a one-stop-shop program that only focuses on one methodology for healing.
If you think you might have pudendal neuralgia, contact a doctor or physical therapist for an assessment today. I offer a free, 20-minute discovery call where we can discuss your symptoms and issues to figure out the best route for your pudendal neuralgia recovery.
Looking for additional resources on pelvic health? My YouTube channel holds dozens of videos where I offer free pelvic floor training, yoga exercises, and more. My instagram page takes a little bit more of a light hearted approach while still providing educational content. And of course, if you have a specific pelvic floor subject you’re looking for more information on, a quick search of my blogs may give you the answers you need.
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