Conditions We Treat for Men

Pudendal neuralgia is defined as pain in the area of innervation of the pudendal nerve. In men, areas affected can be penis, scrotum, perineum and rectum. Pudendal nerve entrapment is described as compression of the pudendal nerve from ligaments, scar tissue or surgical materials which leads to pudendal neuralgia. Some patients with pudendal nerve entrapment experience burning pain but others may have sensation of numbness. It may be present on one or both sides and some patients experience problems with erection and pain with ejaculation. Penile numbness is one of the frequent signs of pudendal neuralgia in men.

Pudendal nerve entrapment is less common in men than in women and the exact incidence is not known. It is usually related to a traumatic or painful event in the pelvis, penis, scrotum or anus. It has also been noted in men who masturbate excessively or who insert objects in their rectum. Pain or numbing sensation may occur after one significant trauma or multiple repetitive smaller traumatic events. An example of the repetitive smaller trauma is bike riding were narrow bicycle seat may crush the nerve against ischial tuberosities (sitz bones). For more details on pudendal neuralgia, you may refer to the page on pudendal neuralgia in women. Treatment of pudendal neuralgia in men is similar to treatment in women and surgical decompression of the pudendal nerve (transgluteal pudendal neurolysis) is also done in the similar manner since the anatomy of the nerve in men and women is virtually identical.

If you or anyone you know experiences pudendal pain, contact our office at 480 599-9682 or email [email protected] to learn about available treatments.