It's time to re name the Pudendal Nerve
- jennifer Spitz
- Mar 3
- 4 min read
Ages ago, a bunch of old men got together and named the genitals pudenda (which means, in Latin, external genitals "shameful parts." So then, of course, when the genital nerve was documented as Pudendal, it still has its roots in shame. For shame!
I, like many others I'm sure suggest more appropriate names like connection (Nexum nerve) or pleasure (Voluptas Nerve.)
If we are NOT going to rename it, let it be known in a timeless ceremony that all agreeable Beings utilizing sacred plants sage and palo santo sticks smudge archaic ancestral patterns that do not serve us in our enlightened growing embodiment.
In 2010, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Jerome Weiss, MD, at the Pacific Center for Pelvic Pain. He is a true trailblazer and is to be thanked profusely for his service. His path was not easy, as there were few with whom to collaborate at that time. As a urologist, there was much more financial gain to be had doing urological surgery. Still, he pursued his soul-directed vision of helping so many who suffered from painful conditions of the perineum, including pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, coccydynia, vaginismus, prolapse, post surgical pain etc. No one really wanted to talk about this at parties! God Bless Jerome Weiss.
Many people from around the globe traveled to our center in San Francisco to gain insight and treatment for their conditions. Many said things like, "I have not sat down in two years" or "It is so good to be in a company that I don't have to say that it's my back that hurts." The taboo of pelvic floor conditions has been going away over the last few decades with the help from exposure, education, online empowered conversations and people like Jerome Weiss.
My first few weeks working there were interesting. Weiss, who was known for giving relief to pain caused by Pudendal neuralgia, had hard earned diagnostic wizardry in his hands that could localize which branch of the nerve he needed to inject, and he could do it without ultrasound. The majority of nerve blocks these days are ultrasound-guided procedures. I was in his office during my onboarding to witness a few of these procedures. The nervous system co-regulation that occurs was not new to me, and I was mindful of closing my second chakra during the procedures. Still, I thought I was going to pass out and nearly left the room before I did. Some breathwork did the trick, and I managed to stay upright and in the room.
It wasn't until three years later, when I was moving to New Zealand, that my hired replacement was doing her observation. I heard a crashing noise from the closed doors of my office. It was the new PT passing out and falling to the ground. It turns out the PT that I replaced also passed out, so it was then that I admitted that I also very nearly did the same—an office initiation, watching a pudendal nerve block. It was the joke that it meant the right person was hired.
With the procedural zen of a Jedi, Weiss performed these procedures regularly in the office. Our out-of-towners often stayed for a few weeks, getting an intensive experience. My part of this was myofascial release, pelvic organ visceral mobilization, hip, sacroiliac, and ankle corrections to the biomechanics, as well as inner child somatic re-education. Some of this was done through a comprehensive movement methodology called GYROTONIC, which I brought to the office.
Patients of the Clinic usually started in the morning with Dr. Weiss, so when they entered my session, it was usually near lunchtime. Often these out of towners traveled with their intimate partners, so after my hour or two with them doing myofascial work I always asked the client what they were wanting for lunch. We were located in downtown San Francisco, so they could have anything they could think of. On my end it was a bit of a trick question and a practice. 99% of the time, the partner with the symptoms looked at their partner and said, "I don't know, what do you want to have?" I wasted no time as it was a priority for me to get them into their body and finding safety, ease, and heading toward pleasure. I told them that it was the most important thing of the hour that they practice feeling deserving of what it is that they would find the most yummy. What did they really want for lunch was like a radical luxury to give themselves and so needed! Starting the process of unwinding what "will do" and what would actually provide basic body contentment and pleasure. Both partners understood, and the one in pain usually cried—deep wounds of the inner child opening for being seen, valued, celebrated, and cared for.
Now, back to shame nerves and archaic ancestral patterns. We deserve better. With our collective light and personal work, we are getting there.
Pleasure Nerve, Connection Nerve.
I give away all guilt, blame, and shame.
Dr. Weiss closed his practice about 10 years ago. My friend and colleague Cristina Schupe, PT, continues his treating legacy as do many others in his path, now wider.
For more references on this condition and some places to get Professional Help:
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