How is PN correctly diagnosed?
Correct diagnosis follows these main stages: A. The exam. For guys the exam should include digital rectal exam. For ladies the exam should include a pelvic exam. What is your history? Were you exercising heavily, did you have a pelvic surgery or vaginal delivery, were you sitting long hours? Is your pain in the distribution area innervated by the pudendal nerve? Is there increased pain or tenderness when your doctor presses along the course of the nerve via the rectum or vagina? B. Elimination of other factors. Often the pudendal nerve doctors recommend an MRI to rule out obvious problems such as tumors or spinal abnormalities. Each of the PN doctors has their own requirements on what type of MRI they prefer. It is also important to rule out other problems such as urinary tract infections, prostate infections, or sexually transmitted diseases. Disorders that might cause peripheral neuropathy such as Lyme’s disease or multiple sclerosis should also be ruled out. You should have a stool
