Pelvic floor numbness is caused by a condition known as pudendal neuralgia. Pudendal neuralgia is a pain related to the pudendal nerve which is the vein that runs from the back of the pelvis to the base of your penis or vagina, where it branches into other nerves. The pudendal nerve sends messages to the brain from your genitals, anus, and other nearby body parts. It also controls the sphincter muscles that open and close whenever you use the bathroom. The pain develops over a long period of time.
There are several causes behind pudendal neuralgia. They include ;
It can also be caused by excessive physical exercise such as spending a lot of time on a bicycle and horse riding. Constipation is another cause.
The symptoms are mostly felt around the area between your pelvic and your anus. They include:;
You may also experience bladder and bowel irritation, pain during sex, difficulty reaching an orgasm, and erectile dysfunction in men.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, do not shy away from telling your doctor. Any doctor can treat this problem but most people prefer a neurologist or a gynecologist.
Your doctor will insert a finger in your rectum or vagina and exert pressure on the nerve. In other instances, he may perform an imaging test using an MRI machine. It uses powerful magnets and radio waves to take a picture of your internal organs.
Nerves take at least 6 months or even two years to heal. Treating pudendal neuralgia will therefore take some time.
Treatments for pelvic floor numbness include;