Rare Medical News

Disease Profile

Pudendal Neuralgia

Prevalence
Prevalence estimates on Rare Medical Network websites are calculated based on data available from numerous sources, including US and European government statistics, the NIH, Orphanet, and published epidemiologic studies. Rare disease population data is recognized to be highly variable, and based on a wide variety of source data and methodologies, so the prevalence data on this site should be assumed to be estimated and cannot be considered to be absolutely correct.

Unknown

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US Estimated

N/A

Europe Estimated

Age of onset

Adult

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ICD-10

G57.8

Inheritance

Autosomal dominant A pathogenic variant in only one gene copy in each cell is sufficient to cause an autosomal dominant disease.

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Autosomal recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of each gene of the chromosome are needed to cause an autosomal recessive disease and observe the mutant phenotype.

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X-linked
dominant X-linked dominant inheritance, sometimes referred to as X-linked dominance, is a mode of genetic inheritance by which a dominant gene is carried on the X chromosome.

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X-linked
recessive Pathogenic variants in both copies of a gene on the X chromosome cause an X-linked recessive disorder.

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Mitochondrial or multigenic Mitochondrial genetic disorders can be caused by changes (mutations) in either the mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA that lead to dysfunction of the mitochondria and inadequate production of energy.

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Multigenic or multifactor Inheritance involving many factors, of which at least one is genetic but none is of overwhelming importance, as in the causation of a disease by multiple genetic and environmental factors.

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Not applicable

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Categories

Nervous System Diseases

Summary

Pudendal neuralgia occurs when the pudendal nerve is injured, irritated, or compressed. Symptoms include burning pain (often unilateral), tingling, or numbness in any of the following areas: buttocks, genitals, or perineum (area between the buttocks and genitals). Symptoms are typically present when a person is sitting but often go away when the person is standing or lying down. The pain tends to increase as the day progresses. Additional symptoms include pain during sex and needing to urinate frequently and/or urgently. Damage to the pudendal nerve can result from surgical procedures, childbirth, trauma, spasms of the pelvic floor muscles, or tumors. Pudendal neuralgia may also result from certain infections (such as herpes simplex infections) or certain activities (such as cycling and squatting exercises). There are no imaging studies that diagnose pudendal neuralgia; however, MRI and CT may help to exclude other causes of the pain. Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment.[1][2] 

Treatment

Many physicians suggest using a step-ladder approach to therapy for individuals with pudendal neuralgia. Physical therapy with professionals who specialize in pelvic floor therapy is often the first line of treatment. Electrical stimulation and biofeedback have been used to assist therapists with treatment. Patients are also given exercises and lifestyle modifications to use at home. For muscle spasms that are not responsive to physical therapy, botulinum toxin has been used in some cases. Medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, cyclobenzaprine, and tricyclic antidepressants have also been used in the treatment of patients with PN. [1][2] In some cases, treatment may include nerve blocks, electrical stimulation of the lower end of the spinal cord, or surgery to remove tissues that might be pressing on the pudendal nerve.[1][2][3]

Learn more

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

General Information

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Pudendal Neuralgia. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

References

  1. Khoder W and Hale D.. Pudendal neuralgia. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. September, 2014; 41(3):443-52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25155124.
  2. Pudendal neuralgia. NHS Choices. August, 2016; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pudendal-neuralgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx.
  3. Pérez-López FR and Hita-Contreras F.. Management of pudendal neuralgia. Climacteric. December, 2014; 17(6):654-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24716710.

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