Pudendal Neuralgia

Pudendal neuralgia is a neuropathic condition, affecting both men and women, which affect the pudendal nerve. Pudendal neuralgia leads to pain in the genital area like in the clitoris and vulva in women, penis and scrotum in men, as well as in the perineum and rectum in both men and women. The pain gets worse usually when sitting. There are different causes of pudendal neuralgia, like direct injury to the pudendal nerve, compression of the pudendal nerve by pelvic floor muscle spasms, or injuries to the pudendal nerve due to infections and various diseases.

Pudendal neuralgia as mentioned leads to pain in the genital area, affecting both men and women. The pain can be present along the entire dermatome or it may only affect a branch of the pudendal nerve. In women the pain is usually localized in the clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, vagina and vulva. In men the pain is usually localized in the penis and scrotum, without affecting the testes.

The signs and symptoms of pudendal neuralgia are usually unilateral, however sometimes it could be bilateral. The pain is described as an itching, burning or tingling sensation. Rarely the pain spreads to other parts outside of the zone of the pudendal nerve, like in the lower back, posterior thigh or in the lower abdomen.