National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Pudendal Neuralgia


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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] 
Last updated: 1/17/2017
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]
Last updated: 1/17/2017

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Pudendal Neuralgia. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

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.

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  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; http://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.