Living with Pudendal neuralgia
Nerve pain in the pelvic area that is often worse when sitting and builds up through the day.
Understanding Pudendal neuralgia
It causes burning pain, tingling, or numbness in the buttocks, genitals, or perineum (the area between them). Symptoms are usually present when sitting and often ease when standing or lying down. Pain tends to build up through the day. It usually starts in adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Burning pain, often on one side
- Tingling or numbness in the buttocks or genitals
- Pelvic, buttock, or rectal pain
- Pain during sex
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Pain when touched lightly (allodynia)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Pudendal Neuralgia Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The nerve can be damaged by surgery, childbirth, injury, pelvic floor muscle spasms, or tumors. Some infections, like herpes simplex, and activities like cycling and squatting exercises may also be involved.
Also known as: alcock syndrome; neuralgia of pudendal nerve; pudendal algia; pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome; pudendal nerve neuralgia; pudendal neuralgia by pudendal nerve entrapment
Patient organizations
- Pudendal Neuralgia AssociationPudendal neuralgia · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Pudendal neuralgia.
Explore research for Pudendal neuralgia
Explore actively recruiting Pudendal neuralgia studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Pudendal neuralgia with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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