How does weight lifting affect the pudendal nerve?

[Griff522]

I so understand where you're coming from Ali. If there is one message I could tell clueless dr's it would be that if you have a patient that shows up in your office with burning perineum pain and their is no sign of infection ASK THEM IF THEY ARE WORKING OUT WITH HEAVY WEIGHTS! And if the answer is YES, tell them to STOP!

And trainers need to be informed of this as well. Although, they don't want you to stop working out because then they lose money. And I think my trainer knew about pudendal neuralgia because she is a competitive weightlifter. When I finally told her, six months into the pain, she responded with "yeah weightlifters get that sometimes!". I was furious at that moment but being the composed person that I am, I just told her I wouldn't be back!

[paulette]

I have been reading all of these explanations about ligament laxity and pudendal nerve irritation. Violet, you said that your ligaments were stretched and became thickened from weight lifting. You had surgery to release the nerve, but you still have lax ligaments. Does that mean there is a chance that those ligaments may inflame your pudendal nerve again? Thanks, Paulette

[Violet M]

Paulette, I guess anything can happen but if I'm careful I expect to be OK because the SS ligaments have been cut to release the nerve from between the SS and ST ligaments.

[paulette]

Violet,
Since you already had pelvic instability before your pudendal nerve surgery, did cutting the SS ligament increase the pelvic/SI joint instability? Thanks, paulette

[Violet M]

I can't really tell a difference in pelvic stability since having the SS ligaments cut. If anything it's better now but that may be because I haven't been lifting weights for 7 years!

[scaredgal]

Hi Violet,

Do you think you'll ever lift weight again? Just curiuos as it is a passion of mine - so much so that I actually thought about doing anabolic steroids and competing at one time. I continue to work out somewhat through the pain - it is me and I can't live without it.

[Violet M]

Do you think you'll ever lift weight again?

No, I'm too scared. I know it's not for me so I've found other ways to get my exercise kick. But I understand how hard it is to give up something you really want to do.

[Charlie]

There is research suggesting a link between pelvic pain and sport. This article explains more

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/a ... p?id=14254

[scaredgal]

Violet - how do you get your exercise kick? Just curious about alternatives for me. I'm thinking if maybe I do everything with the exception of lunges and squats maybe I can continue to do it??

Charlie - thanks for posting - interesting article.

I'm one of those freaks of nature that love to exercise - so what do I do now - do it through the pain???

[Violet M]

Scaredgal, I mostly walk now and I do some upper body weightlifting and core strengthening exercises but nothing strenuous. I can only say that for me, exercising through the pain was the worst thing I could have done -- eventually it pushed me over the edge.