Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, by definition. It can be excruciatingly painful and distressing but will often improve eventually. It can come on at any age. But usually between 30 and 50.

The symptoms are generally pelvic pain related. This pain can be severe disabling pain. Men with this can find it impossible to function. The hallmark symptom that differentiates Prostatitis is an increase in pain after, but not during ejaculation. There are two main types of Prostatitis. There are further subdivisions, but we will stick to the two major divisions to keep matters simple.

Acute Prostatitis (Prostatitis)

Symptoms are severe and come on suddenly; this is rare and requires treatment as it is an infection but will resolve with treatment.

Chronic Prostatitis (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome)

Symptoms wax and wane over a long time (chronic). This type of Prostatitis is not an infection (syndrome). It is painful and life-altering. Post ejaculation pain can make sex difficult.

Discussion

Treatment of the acute form is simply with antibiotics. However, Chronic Prostatitis is likely a complicated model of interactions between the pelvic muscles, immune system (mast cells) and nerves (neurogenic inflammation), making it more a condition of the pelvis than the Prostate.

Relaxation, physiotherapy (massages & stretches) of the pelvic muscles (internal and external) to release trigger points have proven helpful; while stabilising mast cells with medicine. Generally, this process is referred to as the Stanford Protocol, although variations do exist between therapists.

Chronic Prostatitis can affect and amplify a man’s Mental Health because when men are distressed, they tense their pelvic floors – like grinding teeth, it can become a habit.

Prostatitis is the most misunderstood of all the Male Health conditions we cover. It has a considerable variance in treatment across NHS trusts. In Scotland, we do poorly in teaching management. Management of the disease is good once understood.

Prostatitis does not increase the risk of Prostate Cancer.

The classic symptom that generally confirms Chronic Prostatitis is an increase in pain post ejaculation. We must not be shy to ask this question. It can point to the condition rapidly if other symptoms are absent.