What is pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE)?
Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE) is a condition causing pain for no apparent reason in the lower central pelvic areas. These are the anal region, perineum, scrotum and penis, vulva and clitoral areas. Pain is worse upon sitting and less when standing or sitting on a donut cushion or toilet seat. But there is no one particular pattern that dominates. Pain can be in just one area, several, or all. It can be unilateral or bilateral (on one side or both sides). In some cases standing will relieve the pain but lying down will not. However the pain can be present in any position. Because pudendal neuralgia is nerve related, some of the pain that is felt might be different from regular muscular pain. Pudendal neuralgia sufferers usually describe their pain as stinging, burning, stabbing, aching, knife-like, irritation, cramping, spasm, tightness, crawling on the skin, twisting, pins and needles, numbness, and hyper- sensitivity. As Prof Roberts writes, “The character of the pain consists of se
