Sexual dysfunction due to pudendal neuralgia: a systematic review

Introduction

Normal sexual function in males necessitates libido, initiating and maintaining erection, orgasm, ejaculation, and refractory period (1). Normal sexual function in females includes swelling of the clitoris and labia minora, vaginal lubrication and lengthening, nipple erection, increased genital sensitivity during the arousal and plateau phases, followed by the orgasm (2). Sexual response involves social, psychological, neurological, vascular, and hormonal processes and is based on both psychological as well as local sexual stimulation, the central nervous system, the peripheral neurovascular system, and hormonal influences (3,4). Sexual dysfunctions include persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), dyspareunia and vulvodynia, and male erectile and ejaculation dysfunction. Many factors contribute to sexual dysfunction in both sexes.

Recently, attention toward the pudendal nerve and artery entrapment as a cause of sexual dysfunction has grown (5). Two recent studies have shown that penile numbness and erectile dysfunction (ED) could be related to pelvic discomfort and pudendal nerve compression without neuropathic pain especially among cyclists (5,6). Another study demonstrated that persistent sexual arousal could be due to a minimal degree of chronic compression of the dorsal branch of the pudendal nerve (7). Other two recent pilot studies have shown beneficial effect of pudendal nerve and artery decompression on ED and computed-guided pudendal nerve block on PE (8,9). The aim of our systematic review is to highlight the role of pudendal neuralgia on sexual function in both sexes. We present the following article in accordance with the PRISMA reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-21-13).

Methods

Strategy of research

Research was performed in March 2020, using PubMed database. No research filters were used. Keywords used were: “Pudendal” AND “Sexual dysfunction” or “Erectile dysfunction” or “Ejaculation” or “Persistent sexual arousal” or “Dyspareunia” or “Vulvodynia”.

Selection of articles

The selection procedure followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) principles and is presented using a PRISMA flow chart. Although recent articles were prioritized, manuscripts with relevant historical findings were referenced as well. Evidence included human, animal and cadaver data. Each article’s title, abstract and text were reviewed for their appropriateness and their relevance. The initial list of selected papers was enriched by individual suggestions of the authors of the present review. After duplicate removal, titles and abstracts were checked for relevance by two reviewers (MA, GAT). Full text analysis of eligible studies was performed by three reviewers (MA, GAT, and FA).

Extraction of data

Collection of data was done by two authors (MA, GAT). Data were grouped depending on the type of clinical studies. Outcomes were all sexual disorders which were mentioned to be caused by pudendal canal entrapment or neuralgia, and any treatment suggested for every condition.

Results

Seventeen clinical studies (five case series, seven cohort studies, two pilot studies and three randomized clinical trials) were included in our review. PRISMA flow chart is presented in Figure 1. All these studies have reported the role of compression of the pudendal nerve and/or the pudendal artery in the pathophysiology and treatment of sexual dysfunction.

Figure 1 PRISMA flow chart of the study.

One case series and one cohort study dealt with PGAD. The case series evaluated the efficacy of chronic pudendal neuromodulation as a treatment for PGAD. Results were promising as three out of four patients who completed the surveys, reported relief of their symptoms (10). The cohort study reported the efficacy of neurolysis of the dorsal branch of the pudendal nerve for PGAD in eight women (7). The seven patients who were operated bilaterally reported complete response, while the only patient operated unilaterally reported partial response.

The relationship between ED and pudendal canal entrapment was less studied until recently. Two case series, one cohort study and one pilot study dealt with ED. A case series evaluated the efficacy of pudendal canal decompression in treating neurogenic ED due to pudendal nerve entrapment, as six out of seven patients reported total potency after six months of follow-up (11). In the second case series, ten patients with ED were operated with a pudendal canal decompression. While all six patients who suffered from isolated arteriogenic ED reported improvement of their symptoms, only two out of four patients who suffered from combined arteriogenic and neurogenic ED reported satisfactory results (12). One cohort study evaluated multiple sexual dysfunctions in seven men with a compression of the dorsal branch of the pudendal nerve. Unilateral and bilateral neurolysis and decompression yielded satisfactory results in all sexual symptoms, including ED (13). Recently in a pilot study, we have reported improvement of erectile function in five healthy young males presenting with refractory ED after laparoscopic transperitoneal pudendal nerve and artery release (8), which is considered a safe and efficacious technique to decompress the pudendal canal (14).

Two case series, three cohort studies, one pilot study, and one randomized clinical trial dealt with premature ejaculation (PE). The first case series evaluated the efficacy of penile dorsal nerve neuromodulation as a treatment for PE in fifteen patients. After a follow-up of three weeks, the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and the sexual satisfaction score (SSS) were significantly increased (P<0.05) in all patients (15). The second case series demonstrated the efficacy of neurotomy of branches of the dorsal nerve in nineteen patients with PE (16). Seventy-nine percent of the patients reported significant improvement of the average ejaculation latency and the coitus satisfaction degree. Three cohort studies reported the efficacy of penile dorsal nerve resection as a treatment for PE. The first cohort study described a total efficacy rate of 92% in the 483 patients treated with resection of the dorsal penile nerve after 36 months of follow-up (17). The second cohort study reported less satisfactory results as 75% of 146 patients were satisfied with this surgical treatment (18). As for the third cohort study, 330 patients with primary PE were treated with penile dorsal nerve rhizotomy. Satisfactory results were noted in 95% of the patients (19). We have recently reported in a pilot study the improvement of PE in 5/5 of patients, after computed-guided pudendal nerve block using local anesthetics and steroids (9). One randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy of dorsal penile nerve amputation with alpha adrenergic receptor blocker to each treatment alone, as a treatment for PE. The results were significantly in favor of the combined therapy (20).

Two cohort studies and two randomized clinical trials dealt with vestibulodynia. The first cohort study proved the efficacy of pudendal nerve block with infiltration of local anesthetic agents among other treatments, as a treatment for provoked vestibulodynia in 27 women (21). The second cohort study discussed the role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a treatment for resistant provoked vulvodynia in 39 women (22). The efficacy of this therapeutic modality was noted immediately and after a follow-up of 10 months, and only 4% of the patients needed additional therapy such as vestibulectomy. A double-arm randomized controlled trial demonstrated the efficacy of the TENS as a treatment for vestibulodynia as it proved its significant superiority compared to placebo, after twenty treatment sessions (23). In fact, the visual analogue score the McGill–Melzack Pain Questionnaire scores significantly improved in the active TENS group (6.2±1.9 and 19.5±11.9 before treatment, respectively; to 2.1±2.7, P=0.004 and 8.5±10.7, P=0.001, respectively) but not in the placebo group. The other double-arm randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of intravaginal diazepam and TENS versus placebo and TENS for the treatment of vestibulodynia (24). The visual analogue scale did not show significant difference between the two groups; however, the Marinoff dyspareunia scale was significantly in favor of the diazepam group.

No study dealing with the role of pudendal neuralgia and ejaculatory pain was found in the literature.

Table 1 summarizes the results of our systematic review.

Table 1 Summary of results of our systematic review
Full table

Discussion

Anatomy

The pudendal nerve carries autonomic, sensory and motor fibers to the anal, perineal and genital region (25,26). One of its branches, the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris, supplies erectile tissue of the corpus cavernosum and the crus penis/clitoris, as well as the skin over the dorsal and lateral aspect of penis and clitoris (26). Although largely made up of somatic sensory nerves—which play a major role during sexual activity—the dorsal nerve of the penis also includes nNOS-containing fibers (27); this means that this nerve regulates erectile and ejaculatory functions. In fact, somatomotor fibers from the Onuf’s nucleus innervate via the pudendal nerve (through sacral plexus) the ischiocavernosus and bulbocavernosus muscles. Contraction of the ischiocavernosus muscles produces the rigid-erection phase. Repeated contraction and compression of the bulbocavernosus muscle on the proximal corpus is also responsible for the ejection phase of ejaculation (28).

The primary source of penile blood is the paired internal pudendal arteries, which are branches of the internal iliac arteries. The internal pudendal artery becomes the common penile artery that gives three branches. The cavernous artery effects tumescence of the corpus cavernosum and gives helicine arteries along its course; these arteries supply the trabecular erectile tissue and the sinusoids and are contracted and tortuous in the flaccid state. During erection, they become dilated and straight, by dint of the dorsal artery of the penis which is responsible for the glans engorgement. The bulbourethral artery supplies the proximally located penile bulb and corpus spongiosum (29). As in male, the female sexual reflex uses the somatic pudendal nerve afferents; parasympathetic stimulation causes dilation of dorsal and deep arteries of the clitoris, thus leading to clitoral engorgement (30).

The pudendal nerve passes between two muscles, piriformis and coccygeus muscles (31), and exits the pelvis via the infra-piriform notch of the greater sciatic foramen anterior to the sciatic nerve and the sacrotuberous ligament. At the level of the ischial spine, it passes medial to and below the sacrospinous ligament and returns to the pelvis via the lesser sciatic foramen. It then passes within a canal - the pudendal canal or Alcock canal - formed by a duplication of the obturator internus fascia (26,31). Given this complex anatomical passage, the pudendal nerve is subject to compression at different levels: below the piriformis muscle, between the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments in the Alcock canal, and entrapment of terminal branches (25,31). The prevalence of pudendal nerve entrapment is certainly underestimated (32).

Nerve entrapment or injury can occur due to pelvic surgery, most commonly repair of pelvic organ prolapse especially with placement of a mesh. Mid-urethral sling surgeries, hysterectomies and anterior colporrhaphy are also surgeries that put the pudendal nerve at risk of injury. The pudendal nerve may also be compromised by inflammation due to herpes simplex infection or pelvic tumoral compression or chemoradiation. Direct gluteal or back trauma, vaginal delivery, chronic constipation, excessive cycling and prolonged sitting all predispose to pudendal nerve injury as well (33-38).

PGAD

PGAD is a newly discovered entity in female and male sexuality that includes the following features: (I) sexual arousal extending in time and not subsiding on its own, (II) sexual arousal not relieved by ordinary orgasm and may require multiple orgasms over hours or days to remit, (III) arousal is unrelated to sexual desire, (IV) arousal is triggered by both sexual and non-sexual stimuli, (V) arousal experienced as unbidden, intrusive and unwanted (39-41). Its pathophysiology is mainly based on neuro-vascular dysfunction, genital peripheral neuropathy and/or dysfunctional micro-vascular arterio-venous shunting (42), and it was described with chronic yeast infection, Tarlov cyst, initiation or cessation of some nervous system medications and pudendal nerve injury or compression (10,43,44). There are currently no approved evidence-based guidelines or treatments for PGAD (45), but only few described cases and treatment suggestions. In fact, the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) duloxetine, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine and benzodiazepine such as clonazepam and oxazepam proved their efficacy by providing arousal relief in some patients (40,41,46,47). Physical therapy might release the impinged pudendal nerve by mobilizing some muscles such as the obturator internus muscle, leading to PGAD symptoms relieve (43). TENS at the pudendal dermatome may cause symptoms relief in some patients (47). Yet, non-invasive therapy is not always effective, urging the need for a more invasive therapeutic strategy. Chronic pudendal neuromodulation using an implantable pulse generator, or neurolysis of the pudendal nerve or its branches provided arousal symptoms relief in previously unsuccessfully treated patients (7,10). Moreover, bilateral pudendal nerve neurolysis seems more efficacious than unilateral neurolysis (7).

While dealing with PGAD, a thorough medical history is needed and a complete physical exam is required including pudendal nerve territory examination. When there is non-evident cause of the arousal symptoms such as an infection, a palpable mass or an iatrogenic cause, we suggest to start with a noninvasive therapeutic modality (drugs, physical therapy, TENS). Pudendal nerve neuromodulation or decompression along its trajectory are used as second intention or when the medical history suggests a nerve injury or anatomical compression.

ED

ED is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection adequate for sexual satisfaction (48). Erection is a complex physiological process which involves vascular, neural, hormonal, and structural factors (11). It entails operational cavernous nerves, a good blood flow through the internal pudendal arteries, healthy erectile tissue, and pudendal nerves capable of stimulating contraction of perineal musculature (49). ED can be caused by psychologic, neurogenic, hormonal, arterial, and venous disorders (11). Therefore, the compression of the pudendal nerve (or its ascending branches) or the pudendal artery can result in reversible ED (8,11-13). ED may be associated with modifiable and reversible conditions such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension or certain medications side effects (antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotic etc.) (50). As a result, the first step in the treatment of ED is lifestyle changes (50). Multiple therapeutic modalities exist for the treatment of ED and include oral drugs such as the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), intraurethral or intracavernosal injections, vacuum device, low intensity shockwave therapy (Li-SWT) and penile prosthesis implantation (48). The choice between these treatments depends of the patient preference and the underlying pathophysiology of the ED. However, in some cases, pudendal canal entrapment syndrome may cause neurogenic and/or arteriogenic ED (11,12). Primary care doctors and surgeons should rule out this entity whenever ED is associated with other symptoms such as penile and perineal hypoesthesia, penile pain or chronic constipation (11-13). A narrow or obstructed pudendal artery on arteriography or an increase in pudendal nerve terminal motor latency might help confirming the diagnosis (12). There are no randomized control trials or evidence-based guidelines evaluating the efficacy of pudendal canal decompression. However some authors described their surgical techniques for releasing the pudendal nerve and artery and improving ED (8,11-13). Open surgical techniques using a para anal or ischiocavernosus fossa incision (11-13) or laparoscopic technique (8) succeeded in localizing the compression along the pudendal nerve or artery tract and releasing them. This resulted in improvement of ED and the associated symptoms in the majority of the patients and after a short follow-up period.

Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment is a reversible cause of ED that healthcare professionals should be aware of. Pudendal canal decompression is an easy, simple and effective treatment when performed by an experienced surgeon.

PE

PE is a male sexual dysfunction characterized by ejaculation that always or nearly always occurs before or within 1 minute of vaginal penetration (lifelong PE), or, a clinically significant and bothersome reduction in latency time, often to about 3 minutes or less (acquired PE), and the inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations, and negative personal consequences, such as distress bother, frustration, and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy (51). PE depends on both organic and psychogenic factors (52). Diagnosis of PE depends on the patient’s medical and sexual history, and a special attention should be given to the impact of PE on sexual activity and quality of life, the duration time of ejaculation and any form of drug abuse (53). Management of acquired PE relies on identifying the underlying cause (ED, urinary infection, anxiety, hyperthyroidism) and treating it accordingly (51). While management of lifelong PE depends on sexual and behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy and procedural interventions (54). Dapoxetine and other SSRIs are used as first-line strategy for lifelong and acquired PE; topical lidocaine and prilocaine are also used (54). Procedural interventions mainly act on the pudendal nerve and its branches. In fact, PE has been recently associated with hyperexcitability of the penile dorsal nerve and a decrease in penile sensory threshold (55). Based on these findings, multiple authors have described different techniques consisting on manipulating the pudendal nerve in order to treat PE. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) neuromodulation of the dorsal penile nerve and CT-guided pudendal nerve block with ropivacaine and methylprednisone were used to treat patients with PE associated with symptoms of pudendal neuralgia (9,15). These techniques yielded significant increase of the IELT and improvement of other parameters such as the SSS and the sexual quality of life–male version (SQoL-M) (9,15). More invasive surgeries such as penile dorsal nerve neurotomy and rhizotomy achieved similar satisfactory results (16-19). The combination of highly selective α1-adrenergic receptor blocker and penile nerve amputation yielded better results compared to each therapy alone (20), which presents a second combination strategy other than behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy for the treatment of PE, especially when the medical history and the physical exam suggest a pudendal canal entrapment syndrome, or simply a pudendal neuralgia. We should note that the success after pudendal block does not mean the presence of entrapment, but rather a lesion at the level of the pudendal nerve, which could be, or not, a pudendal canal entrapment.

Vestibulodynia - dyspareunia

Vulvar pain is a common symptom reported in up to 15% of women (56). Provoked vulvodynia is the leading cause of premenopausal vestibulodynia and patients tend to report a burning sensation or sharp pain upon application of vulvar pressure or attempt of vaginal penetration (57). A complex and intricate anatomy and neurophysiology help explain pathophysiologic aspects of dyspareunia and vulvodynia. In fact, the pudendal nerve, which is made up of somatic branches from the sacral plexus, is the main nervous supply of the vulva (58). In addition, the anatomic course of the pudendal nerve makes it susceptible to surgical and obstetrical trauma, potentially leading to entry dyspareunia and vulvodynia (58). It is also proposed that pelvic floor muscle dysfunction is commonly reported in women with vulvodynia. The pelvic floor muscle dysfunction places stress on the nerves running near and through these muscles, potentially explaining a pain syndrome (58). In sum, vulvodynia has a multifactorial etiology including psychogenic, functional and neuropathic factors with major implication of the pudendal nerve; which is particularly true in primary vulvodynia which usually has no known etiology (59). First-line treatments consist on local application of anesthetics like lidocaine and possibly amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin (60). Moreover, due to the pudendal neve implication in the pathophysiology of vulvodynia, pudendal nerve manipulations are both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in pudendal nerve entrapment syndromes (21-24,31). In fact, pudendal nerve block associated with vestibular infiltration of local anesthetic agents improved the objective and subjective assessment tools of vulvodynia (21). It also showed that premenopausal women have a better chance to benefit from this treatment compared to premenopausal women. TENS is another treatment modality for vulvodynia as it proved its efficacy on short and long term, as monotherapy or better combined to vaginal diazepam (22-24) and reduced the need of vestibulectomy (22).

Although this review is the first one describing the implication of pudendal neuralgia on multiple sexual symptoms, limitations include the rarity of this condition and the lack of randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of the different pudendal nerve manipulations compared to the standard of care.

Conclusions

Multiple sexual dysfunctions are labeled as idiopathic. However, despite the scarce data, attention toward the pudendal canal syndrome or pudendal neuralgia and its implication in the physiopathology of sexual dysfunction has grown. This systematic review is an invitation to every clinician to consider this syndrome when being confronted to patients with ill-defined cause resistant sexual dysfunction.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the PRISMA reporting checklist. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-21-13

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau-21-13). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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