Pudendal Neuralgia

Here at University Pain and Spine Center, we want to help you relieve any pelvic pain, chronic pain, or nerve-related discomfort that you are feeling. Whether the pain is minor or severe, our qualified and friendly staff is here to help you.

Our pain management experts in Somerset, Monroe, Ewing, Englewood Cliffs, Jersey City, Hoboken, Bloomfield, Freehold, Clark, and Elizabeth, New Jersey; and Bayridge, Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Hempstead, New York, are committed to helping patients find relief and regain control of their everyday lives.

What is Pudendal Neuralgia, and What Causes It?

Pudendal neuralgia is a condition that causes chronic pain in the pelvic area, often affecting the genitals, rectum, or perineum. This pain occurs due to injury, compression, or inflammation of the pudendal nerve. The condition may result from trauma, childbirth, pelvic surgery, prolonged sitting, or pressure on the nerve. Inflammation or entrapment of the nerve can also lead to symptoms, which can range from mild discomfort to severe pelvic pain.

Symptoms of Pudendal Neuralgia

Symptoms of pudendal neuralgia include aching, burning, stabbing pain, and a sensation of fullness in the pelvic region. Numbness or tingling may also occur in the genital or rectal areas. The chronic pain often worsens with sitting or certain activities, making daily tasks difficult.

Due to the sensitive nature of the symptoms, pudendal neuralgia can be challenging to diagnose, and many individuals endure chronic pelvic pain before receiving proper treatment. If you’ve experienced persistent pelvic pain that interferes with your lifestyle, it’s important to seek medical care from specialists who understand this complex nerve condition.

Treatment for Pudendal Neuralgia

Treatment for pudendal neuralgia often begins with medications to manage chronic pain and inflammation. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed.

Physical therapy, especially pelvic floor therapy, is a key recommendation that we make. This approach helps reduce muscle tension, restore pelvic alignment, and improve nerve function, all of which are crucial for patients with pelvic pain.

In more severe cases, a nerve block—targeted injection therapy—may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation around the pudendal nerve. If other treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, surgery may be considered to decompress the nerve.