Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsPreventing Cyclist’s SyndromeTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Preventing Cyclist’s Syndrome
Treatment
Coping
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Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain From Pudendal Neuralgia
Cyclist’s Syndrome
Sitting on some types of bicycle seats for long periods of time puts pressure on the pudendal nerve. Such pressure can cause swelling around the nerve, which causesnerve pain, and may even lead to nerve trauma over time. Nerve compression and swelling often cause pain described as burning, stinging or feeling like pins and needles.
Pudendal nerve pain may be described as burning, numbness, or pins and needles, stabbing, or cramping. It may present in any of the following ways:
Because the symptoms are often hard to distinguish, pudendal neuropathy can often be hard to differentiate from other types ofchronic pelvic pain, such as prostatitis andvulvodynia.
A review of studies published in 2021 offered the following recommendations for preventing Cyclist’s Syndrome:
Treatment Options
Another option is a rehabilitation program including rest, stretches, and specific exercises to release the nerve entrapment. The active release technique (ART) involves applying pressure to muscles in the area while you stretch and tense them.
Because pudendal neuralgia is so difficult to diagnose and treat, learning to cope can be key to increasing your quality of life. Try these techniques:
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaur J, Singh P.Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. StatPearls.Durante JA, Macintyre IG.Pudendal nerve entrapment in an Ironman athlete: a case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2010;54(4):276–281.Chiaramonte R, Pavone P, Vecchio M. Diagnosis,Rehabilitation and preventive strategies for pudendal neuropathy in cyclists, a systematic review.J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(2):42. doi:10.3390/jfmk6020042Additional ReadingAntolak Jr SJ Pudendal Neuralgia: Pudendal Nerve Entrapment, Alcock Canal Syndrome, and Pudendal Canal Syndrome.Genitourinary Pain And Inflammation. Ed: Jeannette M. Potts. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. 2008. pp 39-56.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kaur J, Singh P.Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. StatPearls.Durante JA, Macintyre IG.Pudendal nerve entrapment in an Ironman athlete: a case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2010;54(4):276–281.Chiaramonte R, Pavone P, Vecchio M. Diagnosis,Rehabilitation and preventive strategies for pudendal neuropathy in cyclists, a systematic review.J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(2):42. doi:10.3390/jfmk6020042Additional ReadingAntolak Jr SJ Pudendal Neuralgia: Pudendal Nerve Entrapment, Alcock Canal Syndrome, and Pudendal Canal Syndrome.Genitourinary Pain And Inflammation. Ed: Jeannette M. Potts. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. 2008. pp 39-56.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kaur J, Singh P.Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. StatPearls.Durante JA, Macintyre IG.Pudendal nerve entrapment in an Ironman athlete: a case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2010;54(4):276–281.Chiaramonte R, Pavone P, Vecchio M. Diagnosis,Rehabilitation and preventive strategies for pudendal neuropathy in cyclists, a systematic review.J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(2):42. doi:10.3390/jfmk6020042
Kaur J, Singh P.Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. StatPearls.
Durante JA, Macintyre IG.Pudendal nerve entrapment in an Ironman athlete: a case report.J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2010;54(4):276–281.
Chiaramonte R, Pavone P, Vecchio M. Diagnosis,Rehabilitation and preventive strategies for pudendal neuropathy in cyclists, a systematic review.J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(2):42. doi:10.3390/jfmk6020042
Antolak Jr SJ Pudendal Neuralgia: Pudendal Nerve Entrapment, Alcock Canal Syndrome, and Pudendal Canal Syndrome.Genitourinary Pain And Inflammation. Ed: Jeannette M. Potts. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. 2008. pp 39-56.
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