News Feed Discussions Can Incisional Hernias Cause Genital Pain in Women?

  • Can Incisional Hernias Cause Genital Pain in Women?

    Posted by Pongo16 on December 2, 2015 at 1:33 am

    I had two c-sections several years ago and am now experiencing burning, boring pain one inch above the c-section scar and 1 1/2 inches from the midline. The pain is worse when I sit and also when I push straight down on that spot. It is really bad when I lift my arms and talk a lot, assuming that is increasing the intra-abdominal pressure. Pain is better with a full stomach and standing in one place with arms straight down to my sides. I also feel fine when I wake up in the morning.

    The pain radiates to that side of the vagina where I feel intermittent burning pain. I also have some rare clitoral burning/shocks and rare tingling in labia on that side.

    Moreover, I can feel muscles twitching frequently on that side of my pelvis.

    Can a hernia cause the genital sensations I am experiencing? If so, what is the best imaging for diagnostic purposes.

    drtowfigh replied 6 years, 9 months ago 3 Members · 5 Replies
  • 5 Replies
  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    February 18, 2018 at 3:11 am

    Clitoral pain is often due to pudendal nerve issues. This can be from muscle spasm in the pelvis or direct injury to the nerve. It’s a difficult problem to treat. Seek consultation by Dr. Michael Hibner or other gynecologists who specialize in vulvodynia or pudendal neuralgia.

  • Frankfitz

    Member
    February 8, 2018 at 11:03 pm

    “In women, small hernias may cause vaginal pain, but not clitoral pain.”
    Can any type of hernia cause clitoral pain? My wife has episodes of horrible electric shock-like pain in her clitoris that usually last at least 30 minutes but can go as long as a few hours. We just met with her urogynecologist and all she basically suggested was a pudendal nerve block after nothing substantial was found on the pelvic 3T Neurography MRI. Medical Cannabis has helped some with this pain but it is not the long term answer. We need help. Thank you!!

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    December 12, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    Can Incisional Hernias Cause Genital Pain in Women?

    about the Cesarean section:
    the ilioinguinal nerve or, more typically, the iliohypogastric nerve, can be injured at the time of Cesarean section or get involved in scar tissue as you are healing from it. It is not a common problem.
    this will cause burning sensation along the inner lower abdomen/groin (iliohypogastric nerve) or into the labia/sometimes vagina (ilioinguinal nerve).

    Local anesthetic block of this nerve at the hip level can be diagnostic and therapeutic. Your pain management specialist should be able to perform this.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    December 12, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Can Incisional Hernias Cause Genital Pain in Women?

    In women, small hernias may cause vaginal pain, but not clitoral pain. It is described most commonly as a burning or sharp pain. Rarely dull. The pain can also radiate around the back or down the front of the leg.

    Also, random acts of increasing the abdominal pressure may cause symptoms if you have a hernia.

  • Pongo16

    Member
    December 2, 2015 at 4:34 am

    Can Incisional Hernias Cause Genital Pain in Women?

    I should add that it’s quite possible I misinterpreted the clitoris shocks as they were brief and only happened a couple of times. I am certain, however, of the vaginal pain/burning that seems to radiate from that area I described as well as the strange, intermittent tingling in the labia on the affected side.

    One doctor I saw suggested I have pudendal neuralgia, but I recently saw an urogynocologist who felt that my c-section scar was affecting other peripheral nerves.

    I also have intermittent strange sensations (a “nervy” shimmering sensation, but not painful) down my leg on that side.

    Does this sound like it could be hernia-related?

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