Pudendal neuralgia

We call attention to a group of patients with chronic vulvar burning (vulvodynia), who do not have apparent infections or easily discernible abnormal physical findings, but who on simple sensory testing have allodynia, hyperalgesia, hyperpathia, and hypoesthesia in varying permutations within the areas innervated by the pudendal nerve. We propose that pudendal neuralgia (pain along the pudendal nerve) is one of the causes of idiopathic vulvodynia. In those patients in whom a neurologic, metabolic, infectious, traumatic, or malignant cause for neuralgia is not found, medical management with tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptic agents, or both may prove helpful. Awareness of this entity will lead to earlier diagnosis, treatment, and reassurance of patients with chronic vulvar burning.