Pelvic Pain Management Specialist in Tampa, FL
In females, pelvic pain can arise from the urinary bladder, uterus, ovary, or genitalia. In males, pelvic pain can arise from the prostate or genitalia. It can also be due to pudendal nerve irritation (pudendal neuralgia) or from the bony pelvis following trauma or surgery. Patients who typically come to our clinic have seen urologists, gynecologists, oncologists, or colo-rectal surgeons and had any structural abnormality ruled out. Having ruled this out, the nerves that sense the pelvic organs need to be assessed as the cause of pain. Dr. Kalava can perform ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to manage pelvic pain and completely avoid opioids.
Conditions that can cause pelvic pain, which we will be able to help are:
Pudendal Neuralgia
Coccydynia (Tail Bone Pain)
Vulvodynia
Proctalgia (Anal/Rectal Pain)
Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD)
What is Pudendal Neuralgia?
Pudendal neuralgia is long-term pelvic pain that originates from damage or irritation of the pudendal nerve – a main nerve in the pelvis.
The pudendal nerve supplies areas including the:
lower buttocks
area between the buttocks and genitals (perineum)
area around the anus and rectum
vulva, labia and clitoris in women
scrotum and penis in men
Pudendal neuralgia can be very uncomfortable and distressing, but we can help.
Causes of Pudendal Neuralgia
Pudendal neuralgia can happen if the pudendal nerve is damaged, irritated or trapped.
Possible causes include:
compression of the pudendal nerve by nearby muscles or tissue – sometimes called pudendal nerve entrapment or Alcock canal syndrome
prolonged sitting, cycling, horse riding or constipation (usually for months or years) – this can cause repeated minor damage to the pelvic area
surgery to the pelvic area
a broken bone in the pelvis
damage to the pudendal nerve during childbirth – this may improve after a few months
a non-cancerous or cancerous growth pressing on the pudendal nerve
In some cases, a specific cause is not found.
Steps in Diagnosing & Managing your Pelvic Pain:
Clinical Examination
Diagnostic Nerve Block (Ultrasound-Guided): To identify the nerve involved
What Treatments Do We Offer for Pelvic Pain?
Pudendal Nerve Blocks
Superior Hypogastric Plexus Blocks/Alcohol Chemoneurolysis/Ablation
Ganglion Impar Block
Genito-femoral Nerve Block
Ilio-inguinal Nerve Block
Why Chose Dr. Kalava?
Not only does Dr. Kalava treat complex pelvic pain, he also teaches and publishes on pelvic pain management.
Recent international scientific articles:
Images of Pudendal Nerve Block and Pudendal Nerve Cryoneurolysis (freezing)
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kalava to get back to doing the activities you enjoy