Overview
Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome (also called Alcock canal syndrome or pudendal neuralgia) is a chronic pain condition caused by compression or trapping of the pudendal nerve. This nerve runs through the pelvis and controls sensation in the genitals, perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus), and the lower rectum. When this nerve gets pinched or irritated, it can cause severe, ongoing pain in the pelvic region that is often made worse by sitting and relieved by standing or lying down. The condition affects both men and women, though it may present differently depending on anatomy. In women, pain is often felt in the vulva, clitoris, or vagina. In men, it may affect the penis, scrotum, or perineum. Many people also experience problems with bladder and bowel function, sexual dysfunction, and a burning or electric-shock-like sensation in the pelvic area. Treatment focuses on relieving pain and improving quality of life. Options include physical therapy, nerve blocks, medications for nerve pain, and in some cases surgery to release the trapped nerve. While there is no cure, many people see meaningful improvement with the right combination of treatments. Early diagnosis is important because the longer the nerve is compressed, the harder it can be to treat.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Chronic pelvic pain, especially in the perineum, genitals, or rectumPain that gets worse when sitting and improves when standing or lying downBurning, stabbing, or electric-shock-like sensations in the pelvic areaNumbness or tingling in the genitals or perineumPain during or after sexual activityDifficulty with urination or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptyingBowel problems such as constipation or pain during bowel movementsFeeling of something stuck in the rectumIncreased sensitivity to touch in the pelvic regionPain that is worse at the end of the dayDifficulty sitting for long periods
Clinical phenotype terms (19)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
8 eventsComenius University — NA
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent — NA
UBOSGA
UBOSGA
University of Louisville — PHASE4
Ainsworth Institute of Pain Management
Groupe Hospitalier Diaconesses Croix Saint-Simon — PHASE3
Peking University People's Hospital — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome.
8 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Decompression of Pudendal and Inferior Cluneal Nerves Using Robot-assisted Laparoscopy for Entrapment Neuralgias : the X-DECO Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome
Caregiver Resources
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Family & Caregiver Grants
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Social Security Disability
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is causing my pudendal nerve to be compressed, and can that cause be treated directly?,Should I try physical therapy before considering nerve blocks or surgery, or should these happen at the same time?,What medications do you recommend for my nerve pain, and what are the side effects I should watch for?,Am I a candidate for pudendal nerve block injections, and how many might I need?,When would you consider surgery, and what are the success rates for patients like me?,Are there any lifestyle changes or activity restrictions that could help reduce my symptoms?,Can you refer me to a pelvic floor physical therapist who has experience with pudendal neuralgia?
Common questions about Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome
What is Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome?
Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome (also called Alcock canal syndrome or pudendal neuralgia) is a chronic pain condition caused by compression or trapping of the pudendal nerve. This nerve runs through the pelvis and controls sensation in the genitals, perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus), and the lower rectum. When this nerve gets pinched or irritated, it can cause severe, ongoing pain in the pelvic region that is often made worse by sitting and relieved by standing or lying down. The condition affects both men and women, though it may present differently depending on anatom
How is Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome inherited?
Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome?
Yes — 8 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome?
10 specialists and care centers treating Pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.