Managing Chronic Pelvic Pain: Pudendal Neuropathy Explained

For individuals experiencing pelvic pain, it could be a disorder of the pudendal nerve known as pudendal neuropathy or neuralgia that leads to chronic pain. The condition can be caused by pudendal nerve entrapment, where the nerve becomes compressed or damaged. Can knowing the symptoms help healthcare providers correctly diagnose the condition and develop an effective treatment plan?

Pudendal Neuropathy

The pudendal nerve is the main nerve that serves the perineum, which is the area between the anus and the genitalia – the scrotum in men and the vulva in women. The pudendal nerve runs through the gluteus muscles/buttocks and into the perineum. It carries sensory information from the external genitalia and the skin around the anus and perineum and transmits motor/movement signals to various pelvic muscles. (Origoni, M. et al., 2014) Pudendal neuralgia, also referred to as pudendal neuropathy, is a disorder of the pudendal nerve that can lead to chronic pelvic pain.

Causes

Chronic pelvic pain from pudendal neuropathy can be caused by any of the following (Kaur J. et al., 2024)

• Excessive sitting on hard surfaces, chairs, bicycle seats, etc. Bicyclists tend to develop pudendal nerve entrapment.
• Trauma to the buttocks or pelvis.
• Childbirth.
• Diabetic neuropathy.
• Bony formations that push against the pudendal nerve.
• Thickening of ligaments around the pudendal nerve.

Symptoms

Pudendal nerve pain can be described as stabbing, cramping, burning, numbness, or pins and needles and can present (Kaur J. et al., 2024)

• In the perineum.
• In the anal region.
• In men, pain in the scrotum or penis.
• In women, pain in the labia or vulva.
• During intercourse.
• When urinating.
• During a bowel movement.
• When sitting and goes away after standing up.

Because the symptoms are often hard to distinguish, pudendal neuropathy can often be hard to differentiate from other types of chronic pelvic pain.

Cyclist’s Syndrome

Prolonged sitting on a bicycle seat can cause pelvic nerve compression, which can lead to chronic pelvic pain. The frequency of pudendal neuropathy (chronic pelvic pain caused by entrapment or compression of the pudendal nerve) is often referred to as Cyclist’s Syndrome. Sitting on certain bicycle seats for long periods places significant pressure on the pudendal nerve. The pressure can cause swelling around the nerve, which causes pain and, over time, can lead to nerve trauma. Nerve compression and swelling can cause pain described as burning, stinging, or pins and needles. (Durante, J. A., and Macintyre, I. G. 2010) For individuals with pudendal neuropathy caused by bicycling, symptoms can appear after prolonged biking and sometimes months or years later.

Cyclist’s Syndrome Prevention

A review of studies provided the following recommendations for preventing Cyclist’s Syndrome (Chiaramonte, R., Pavone, P., Vecchio, M. 2021)

Rest

• Take breaks at least 20–30 seconds after each 20 minutes of riding.
• While riding, change positions frequently.
• Stand up to pedal periodically.
• Take time off between riding sessions and races to rest and relax the pelvic nerves. 3–10 day breaks can help in recovery. (Durante, J. A., and Macintyre, I. G. 2010)
• If pelvic pain symptoms are barely starting to develop, rest and see a healthcare provider or specialist for an examination.

Seat

• Use a soft, wide seat with a short nose.
• Have the seat level or tilted slightly forward.
• Seats with cutout holes place more pressure on the perineum.
• If numbness or pain is present, try a seat without holes.

Bike Fitting

• Adjust the seat height so the knee is slightly bent at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
• The body’s weight should rest on the sitting bones/ischial tuberosities.
• Keeping the handlebar height below the seat can reduce pressure.
• The Triathlon bike’s extreme-forward position should be avoided.
• A more upright posture is better.
• Mountain bikes have been associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction than road bikes.

Shorts

• Wear padded bike shorts.

Treatments

A healthcare provider may use a combination of treatments.

• The neuropathy can be treated with rest if the cause is excessive sitting or cycling.
• Pelvic floor physical therapy can help relax and lengthen the muscles.
• Physical rehabilitation programs, including stretches and targeted exercises, can release nerve entrapment.
• Chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine and pelvis.
• The active release technique/ART involves applying pressure to muscles in the area while stretching and tensing. (Chiaramonte, R., Pavone, P., Vecchio, M. 2021)
• Nerve blocks may help relieve pain caused by nerve entrapment. (Kaur J. et al., 2024)
• Certain muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed, sometimes in combination.
• Nerve decompression surgery may be recommended if all conservative therapies have been exhausted. (Durante, J. A., and Macintyre, I. G. 2010)

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Pregnancy and Sciatica

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References

Origoni, M., Leone Roberti Maggiore, U., Salvatore, S., & Candiani, M. (2014). Neurobiological mechanisms of pelvic pain. BioMed research international, 2014, 903848. doi.org/10.1155/2014/903848

Kaur, J., Leslie, S. W., & Singh, P. (2024). Pudendal Nerve Entrapment Syndrome. In StatPearls. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31334992

Durante, J. A., & Macintyre, I. G. (2010). Pudendal nerve entrapment in an Ironman athlete: a case report. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 54(4), 276–281.

Chiaramonte, R., Pavone, P., & Vecchio, M. (2021). Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Preventive Strategies for Pudendal Neuropathy in Cyclists, A Systematic Review. Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, 6(2), 42. doi.org/10.3390/jfmk6020042