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Prostatitis

The male pelvis can become chronically painful.

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland or dysfunctional pelvic muscles, often causing discomfort and a range of urinary issues. It can be acute or chronic, with symptoms varying from mild to severe, affecting daily life and well-being.

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Prostatitis

The Basics

Prostatitis is a common and often misunderstood condition that affects the prostate, a small gland located below the bladder in men. This condition can cause discomfort and disruption in daily life, making it essential for patients to understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which can result from various factors, including bacterial infections, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, or other underlying health issues. It is essential to note that prostatitis is not the same as prostate cancer and is generally treatable with the right approach.

The causes of prostatitis can be complex. Bacterial infections are a well-known cause of acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. For CPPS, the exact cause is often unclear but may include prior infections, pelvic muscle tension, or immune system responses. Lifestyle factors, stress, and psychological conditions may also contribute to the symptoms.

Types of Prostatitis (CPPS)

  • 1. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: This is a sudden bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms, such as fever, chills, and intense pelvic pain. It requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to serious complications.
  • 2. Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: This less common form is characterized by a recurring bacterial infection. Symptoms may be less intense than those of acute prostatitis but can still cause significant discomfort.
  • 3. Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS): This is the most common form of prostatitis, accounting for approximately 90% of cases. CPPS is divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory types, with symptoms that may include pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, and painful ejaculation.
  • 4. Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis: Patients with this condition may not experience any symptoms, but inflammation can be detected during examinations for other health issues.

Causes?

The causes of prostatitis can be complex. Bacterial infections are a well-known cause of acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. For CPPS, the exact cause is often unclear but may include prior infections, pelvic muscle tension, or immune system responses. Lifestyle factors, stress, and psychological conditions may also contribute to the symptoms.

Illustration of male reproductive system

INFLAMED

Prostatitis can be an infection or inflammation. This will be discovered on examination by a Urologist. If symptoms persist without these present, Physiotherapy is the next step.

Diagram of male pelvic anatomy structures

MUSCLES

As you can see, the male pelvis is richly supported by muscles. What if those muscles are a problem? This is why many men choose to try Physiotherapy. It can help release tension and pain.

Abstract figure with curved lines

MASSAGE & RELAX

The way most Physiotherapy is carried out is with yoga stretches (poses) to begin with, to try to loosen everything up, and adding internal massages with a wand or a therapist if tension is still present.

Physiotherapy

External

This is simply yoga poses, and a great book to teach you yoga is: Yoga For Men. However, this requires being linked to paradoxical and moment-to-moment relaxation, which is described in: A Headache in the Pelvis. Men can guard their pelvises when they're stressed or in pain, and this can become a cycle, such as teeth grinding. Physiotherapy and relaxation breaks that cycle.

Internel

If guarding has gone on for a long time, trigger points (knots) can develop in the pelvic muscles. This is helped by internal massage. The prostate, bladder, and coccyx are not amenable to massage. It is the muscles surrounding the area where trigger points form, not the organs. This is advanced and should NOT be conducted without knowledge of the process. In particular, a Physiotherapist should always be involved. The book that describes this process is: A Headache in the Pelvis.

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Symptoms

  • Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, or perineum (the area between the genitals and the anus).
  • Discomfort during urination (dysuria) or changes in urinary frequency.
  • Painful ejaculation but more likely after ejacualton pain increases (a hallmark symptom).
  • Fever and chills (in acute bacterial prostatitis).
  • Symptoms resembling those of a urinary tract infection.
NHS
UCPPS
Prostate Scotland