Pudendal neuralgia

Treatments for pudendal neuralgia

Treatments for pudendal neuralgia include:

avoiding things that make the pain worse, such as cycling, constipation or prolonged sitting it may help to use a special ring-shaped cushion when sitting and try constipation treatments
medications to alter the pain these will normally be special medications for nerve pain, rather than ordinary painkillers like paracetamol
physiotherapy a physiotherapist can teach you exercises to relax your pelvic floor muscles (muscles used to control urination) and other muscles that can irritate the pudendal nerve
painkilling injections injections of local anaesthetic and steroid medication may relieve the pain fora few months at a time
decompression surgery if something is pressing on the pudendal nerve, such as a piece of tissue, surgery to reposition it away from the nerve may help improve your pain
nerve stimulation a special device is surgically implanted under the skin to deliver mild electrical impulses to the nerve and interrupt pain signals sent to the brain

You may be referred to a specialist NHS pain management team or pain management programme for support and advice about treatment.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018

Articles for pudendal neuralgia

Introduction

Find out about pudendal neuralgia, including what the symptoms are, what can cause it, and how it can be treated.

Symptoms of pudendal neuralgia

The main symptom of pudendal neuralgia is Pelvic pain . Any of the areas supplied by the pudendal nerve can be affected. The pain may: feel like a burning, crushing, shooting or prickling sensation

When to getmedical advice

See your GP if you have persistent pelvic pain. Don't delay seeking advice if the pain is causing problems. Pudendal neuralgia can continue to get worse if left untreated, and early treatment may be

Tests for pudendal neuralgia

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and may carry out an examination of the area to check for any obvious causes of your pain. If they think you could have pudendal neuralgia, or they're not sure wh

Treatments for pudendal neuralgia

Treatments for pudendal neuralgia include: avoiding things that make the pain worse, such as cycling, constipation or prolonged sitting it may help to use a special ring-shaped cushion when sitti

Causes of pudendal neuralgia

Pudendal neuralgia can occur if the pudendal nerve is damaged, irritated or squashed (compressed). Possible causes include: compression of the pudendal nerve by nearby muscles or tissue sometimes c

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