Pudendal nerve Iliohypogastric nerve Ilioinguinal nerve Genito-femoral nerve
These nerves are present either in the abdominal wall, in and around the pelvic cavity, and in the groin and perineal area. Damage to any of these nerves can lead to chronic pelvic nerve pain.
What Causes Pelvic Nerve Damage?
Pelvic nerve pain is caused by damage or dysfunction to pelvic nerves, which can happen through:
Diabetic neuropathy Excessive compression, such as prolonged sitting on a bicycle seat Nicks or cuts during abdominal surgeries Excessive stretching during surgical procedures Trauma to or around the nerves
Chronic pelvic nerve pain is pain caused by nerve damage in the pelvis or dysfunction that persists for longer than the expected healing time or is present for at least three to six months.
Pelvic Nerve Pain Symptoms
Like other types of neuropathic pain, chronic pelvic nerve pain is often described as burning or stabbing. It may come and go, or it may be fairly steady. Certain activities, such as sitting or lying down, may increase symptoms.
Treating Pelvic Nerve Pain
If you’re dealing with pelvic nerve pain, there are treatments you can try. Pelvic nerve pain can be treated with any of the following:
Pain when sitting, relieved when standingPain that radiates to the external sexual organsPain in the perineum (think of this as the area that touches a bicycle seat)Pain that radiates to the abdomen or the lower backPain during intercoursePain when urinating or having a bowel movement
Medications, such as anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or NSAIDsNerve blocksSpinal cord stimulation and sacral neuromodulationCryotherapySurgery (to reverse nerve entrapment)Steroid injectionsPulsed radiofrequency (currently undergoing research)
Some types of pelvic nerve pain, such as genitofemoral neuropathy, have a good treatment success rate. Others, such as pudendal neuropathy, may be more difficult to accurately diagnose and treat.
Coping With Chronic Pelvic Nerve Pain
Coping with any chronic pain diagnoses can be difficult, but because pelvic nerve pain is often misunderstood and difficult to treat, finding ways to cope are vital to increasing your quality of life.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Keep a pain journal: Write down when your pain comes and goes, and what makes it worse. This can not only help your healthcare provider with your diagnosis and treatment, but it can help you plan accordingly. You can also use your pain journal to write down your feelings instead of keeping them inside. Practice relaxation: Stress can intensify feelings of pain. Since stress is hardly avoidable in the real world, learn to relax your mind and body to reduce this response.
