Pelvic Pain Men

30.06.2023 Chukwudi Eze 0 Comments

Many men experience pain in the pelvis at some point in their life. Common symptoms may include difficult, painful, or frequent urination; pain in the area of the bladder, groin, anus, and abdomen; inability to obtain an erection or pain during ejaculation; and fever and chills.

The onset can be gradual (for chronic cases) or sudden (for acute cases).
In many cases this pain is referred to as “prostatitis”, that is to say inflammation of the prostate.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in males that sits in front of the rectum and below the bladder.
The urethra runs through the prostate.

The role of the prostate is to produce much of the fluid that makes up semen, the male ejaculate. Prostatitis is the most common urologic diagnosis in men younger than 50. While the prostate may indeed be a source of pelvic pain, it is likely that in many cases that pain in the male pelvis does not stem entirely (or in some cases at all) from issues with the prostate itself.

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome I: formerly known as Acute Bacterial Prostatitis, defined as acute sudden pelvic pain, typically associated with fevers and other signs of infection as well as bacteria identified in urine or prostate secretions Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome II: formerly known as Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, defined as recurrent or chronic pelvic pain, associated with bacteria identified in urine or prostate secretions, usually in the absence of fevers or other signs of infection Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome III: formerly known as Non-Bacterial Prostatitis or Prostatodynia, defined as recurrent or chronic pelvic pain that is not associated with bacteria identified in urine or prostate secretions. CPPS III may be subdivided into type A, when inflammatory cells are found in urine or prostate secretions and type B, when inflammatory cells are NOT found in urine or prostate secretions Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome IV: presence of inflammatory cells in urine or prostate secretions in the absence of any symptoms.

CPPS III is by far the most common entity encountered in clinical practice. The causes of chronic pelvic pain are varied; possibilities include urinary tract or sexually transmitted infections. Risk factors include diabetes, immunosuppression, prostate enlargement, congenital urinary tract abnormality, urinary issues, tightness or problems of the pelvic floor musculature, and having recent urethral instrumentation (e.g.

Having a catheter put in). In many cases there are no clear risk factors A detailed history and physical exam of the genitals are essential. Examination should include a digital rectal exam, where the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the prostate and determine if it is tender or swollen.

Urine samples are typically taken and analyzed for presence of infection or inflammation. In some cases additional urine, blood, or radiology tests may be indicated; some men may also be advised to have cystoscopy, in which a fiberoptic camera is inserted into the urethra to examine the prostate from the inside.

Treatment is geared towards eliminating and treatable causes.
In the setting of bacterial infection, an extended course of oral antibiotics (selected based on test results or based on which drugs commonly work) is often used.
For severe and acute infections, intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization may be required.

In many cases no specific infection is identified; while a single course of antibiotics may be sensible in these cases in order to treat occult (hidden) infections, it is not generally a good idea to give recurrent cycles of antibiotics unless bacteria are identified on future tests.

If pain is thought to be related to issues of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, consultation with a pelvic floor physical therapist may be of benefit.
Additional options in these cases may include muscle relaxants and other medications designed to decrease muscle tension.
Additional or adjunctive treatment strategies include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, brisk fluid intake, avoidance of bladder irritants, maintaining regularity in terms of bowel movements, and soaking in hot baths.

Pain always has a strong psychological component. Strategies to manage pain are key in getting the best outcomes. In many cases chronic pelvic pain will resolve over time; management is geared primarily to minimizing symptoms and expediting recovery.

Contents

What causes pelvic pain in male?

Pelvic pain can affect males for many reasons. Examples include a urinary tract infection (UTI), a sexually transmitted infection (STI), urinary stones, and prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate. These issues are relatively common. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) estimate that chronic pelvic pain syndrome affects 10–15 percent of the male population of the United States.

Pelvic pain often occurs with other symptoms. Treatments vary, depending on the cause, so it is essential to receive a thorough checkup in each case. A UTI is a bacterial infection somewhere along the urinary tract, which includes the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. UTIs are a frequent complaint, and a more common symptom is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis.

Other symptoms include:

a burning sensation while urinatingneeding to urinate frequentlychanges in the color or smell of urine fever or chillspain in other areas, such as the sides or lower back

A doctor will treat a UTI with a round of antibiotics, Some STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, also cause pelvic pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 2.86 million chlamydia infections occur in the U.S. each year. Symptoms include:

pain in the pelvis inflammation in the urethradischarge from the penis

Chlamydia may also infect the rectum or anus, possibly causing pain there as well. A condition called lymphogranuloma venereum can result from different versions of the bacteria that causes chlamydia. It may lead to pelvic pain that is difficult to treat.

The CDC note that lymphogranuloma venereum can cause of outbreaks of proctitis, or inflammation of the anus and rectum, in men who have sex with men.
Gonorrhea infects about 820,000 people annually, according to the CDC.
The infection may cause symptoms such as pain and discharge from the penis.
If it affects the rectum, it can cause discharge from the anus or painful bowel movements.

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate produces a fluid that goes into semen. There are a few types of prostatitis:

When should I be concerned about pelvic pain in men?

When to seek medical advice – Get emergency medical care if you have pelvic pain that is severe or accompanied by:

Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Inability to urinate
Blood in your semen
Blood in your urine
A lump or swelling in your groin or scrotum

See your doctor as soon as possible if you have moderate pain accompanied by the following:

Fever
Blood in your semen
Blood in your urine
A lump or swelling in your groin or scrotum

Choose a symptom
Selected Select related factors
View possible causes

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Does male pelvic pain go away?

Treatment for Pelvic Pain in Men – Living with pelvic pain can be an extremely uncomfortable and stressful experience. At Pelvic Pain Doc, we believe relief is possible for everyone — men and women alike. Through a combination of therapies, we’re confident we can help you get back to living your life, free from pain or discomfort.

Fortunately, most cases of bacterial prostatitis can be treated with antibiotics, as can sexually transmitted infections.
Acute bacterial infections typically clear after a single course of antibiotics.
Your doctor will choose an appropriate antibiotic based on the type of bacteria causing your infection.

However, certain infections can be more difficult to treat. In cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis, you may need intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Treatment length will vary depending on the severity of your symptoms. If you don’t have an infection, your male pelvic pain may be caused by tightness in your pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic floor therapy can help to release tension in these muscles and help you find relief, as can certain oral medications and certain suppositories and lifestyle modifications. If you think your pain may be caused by psychological distress, we recommend working with a therapist or psychologist to develop positive coping strategies.

Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Are you ready to start listening? Book a consultation with Dr. Bahlani today and take the next step towards regaining control over your life.

Is pelvic pain normal in men?

The onset can be gradual (for chronic cases) or sudden (for acute cases).
In many cases this pain is referred to as “prostatitis”, that is to say inflammation of the prostate.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in males that sits in front of the rectum and below the bladder.
The urethra runs through the prostate.

having a catheter put in). In many cases there are no clear risk factors A detailed history and physical exam of the genitals are essential. Examination should include a digital rectal exam, where the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the prostate and determine if it is tender or swollen.

Treatment is geared towards eliminating and treatable causes.
In the setting of bacterial infection, an extended course of oral antibiotics (selected based on test results or based on which drugs commonly work) is often used.
For severe and acute infections, intravenous antibiotics and hospitalization may be required.

If pain is thought to be related to issues of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, consultation with a pelvic floor physical therapist may be of benefit.
Additional options in these cases may include muscle relaxants and other medications designed to decrease muscle tension.
Additional or adjunctive treatment strategies include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, brisk fluid intake, avoidance of bladder irritants, maintaining regularity in terms of bowel movements, and soaking in hot baths.

Should I be worried if my pelvis hurts?

How do you know if pelvic pain is serious? – While not all pelvic pain is serious, seeking medical care when symptoms are severe is important. You should head to the nearest emergency room if:

Pelvic pain is sharp, severe or sudden. You’re unable to stand up straight. There’s blood in your pee or poop. You’re running a fever, You’re pregnant or have been pregnant in the last six months.

What are red flags for pelvic pain?

History and Physical – When obtaining a history from a patient with suspected chronic pelvic pain, there is often comorbid chronic pain — furthermore, possible signs and symptoms of allodynia or hyperalgesia, suggestive of central sensitization. The etiology of chronic pelvic pain can usually be determined by a full past medical and surgical history, as well as the patient’s gynecological and labor history.

Chronic pelvic pain in women is often defined as persistent, noncyclic pain, but can also be cyclical.
The patient’s pain is located within the pelvis and has lasted greater than six months duration.
The pain must also be unrelated to pregnancy.
The consistency can be constant or episodic.
Some definitions do not consider cyclical pain to be a part of chronic pelvic pain, given this could be defined as dysmenorrhea.

The patient’s history should include questions about precipitating and alleviating factors, including the association between menses and pain, urination, sexual activity, and bowel movements, and response to prior treatments. Pain may identify other areas where the patient experiences pain or may reveal a dermatomal distribution, suggesting a non-visceral source.

Furthermore, the evaluation of mental health disorders should be completed, as well.
Associated symptoms for patients with chronic pelvic pain include but are not limited to, gastrointestinal, urinary, sexual, and psychological, and menstrual symptoms.
Also, impaired quality of life should be assessed.

Patients with chronic pelvic pain can often experience motor or autonomic dysfunction. On history, cramping pain, hot, burning, or electrical type pain should be differentiated from sharp or dull pain. Pain fluctuation with the menstrual cycle compared to the constant pain should be distinguished.

Pain with urination or defecation, postcoital bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding, the postmenopausal onset of pain, history of prior abdominal surgery or previous abdominal infection, or unexplained weight loss should also be summarized as part of the history. Red flag findings that may indicate systemic disease include postcoital bleeding, postmenopausal bleeding or onset of pain, unexplained weight loss, pelvic mass, and hematuria.

Physical examination, including a gynecological speculum and bimanual examination, and a full abdominal exam, should be completed. The external genitalia should be examined and an examination of the pelvic floor musculature for tenderness or hypertonicity should be done as well.

On physical exam, evaluation for an adnexal mass, enlarged or tender uterus, lack of uterine mobility on bimanual exam should be completed.
Pain upon palpation of the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, and pelvis should be noted.
The Carnett test should also be done to determine if there is abdominal wall pain for patients experiencing pelvic pain.

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For the Carnett test, the patient is asked to raise both of their legs off the exam table while in a supine position. The provider places their finger on the patient’s painful abdominal area to determine whether the patient’s pain increases with the legs are flexed, and the abdominal muscles have contracted.

How does prostate pain feel like?

Chronic prostatitis – You may have chronic prostatitis if you have had some of the following symptoms for at least 3 months:

pain in and around your penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower backpain when peeing, a frequent or urgent need to pee, particularly at night, or “stop-start” peeingan enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examinationsexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, pain when ejaculating or pelvic pain after sex

These symptoms can have a significant impact on your quality of life. But in most cases, they’ll gradually improve over time and with treatment.

Can stress cause pelvic pain in men?

High Stress Leads to Pelvic Pain in Men | Vista Urology September 7, 2016 There is nothing more injurious to the pelvic floor than prolonged sitting combined with high stress. The sitting causes physical compression of muscles, nerves and blood vessels and the stress, in some men, can cause an unintentional clenching of the muscles in the pelvic floor, which can impede the blood flow and normal neurological function in this region. Think of the way stress can cause you to clench your jaw or tighten your neck. If these actions persist, you may experience a headache, neck ache or toothache. Similarly, this sort of tension in the pelvis, causes symptoms that are too often confused with an urological condition like prostatitis.

This so called Urological Pelvic Pain Syndrome can be prevented by using a sit-stand desk, a timer to remind you to get up and stretch and/or walk around.
Daily exercise of some sort is a must, but must be done properly and with thoughtful stretching afterwards.
For, even dedicated athletes can get pelvic pain too, and often this arises from over use, abuse or simply the lack of proportional stretching and self care afterwards.

Most of you suffering with this condition do not have evidence of any infection and therefore should avoid antibiotics. Antibiotics should be reserved only for those men with fever, abnormal urinalysis and/or positive bacterial culture. While many of you can manage to reduce some of your symptoms with the preventive measures mentioned above, some will require a medical diagnosis, which must be made by a physician specialist, as the differential diagnosis is much broader than some ancillary health care workers would lead you to believe.

First, there must be an exclusion of infection and other serious conditions that may affect the urinary tract, the sexual organs, the colorectal or neurological system. After confirmation of the diagnosis, a logical strategy for treatment and management can be formulated. And whenever possible, I involve my patients as the most important member of the team and guide them through a tailor made self care regimen.

Getting men back into the driver’s seat is paramount to preventing and healing pelvic pain but remember, that when sitting too long in the driver’s seat, one must stop at highway rest stops and walk around! : High Stress Leads to Pelvic Pain in Men | Vista Urology

How long can pelvic pain last?

Pelvic pain is felt in the lower part of your tummy. The type of pain varies, and it may be sudden and severe (acute pelvic pain) or last 6 months or longer (chronic pelvic pain).

Can hernia cause pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain is the most common symptom of an inguinal hernia. Another typical symptom is a bulge on one side of the pelvis (pubic bone) with an aching feeling in the bulge. You may feel pressure, a dragging feeling, and/or pain and weakness in the pelvic area.

What is pelvic syndrome for men?

Symptoms of CPPS – Male chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by persistent pain or pressure in the pelvic region or genitalia of males that lasts for more than three months not caused by explainable natural causes such as infection or structural irregularities.

Pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, rectum, or lower back Low mood and anxiety Pain at the tip of the penis and the testicles Discomfort or burning during ejaculation Sexual dysfunction Urinary difficulties Bowel problems

Other symptoms you may experience include reduced urine stream, returning to the toilet within a couple of hours, or feeling like you are not fully emptying your bladder.

Can ejaculating too much cause pelvic pain?

Yes, masturbation can cause cramps and discomfort for various reasons. Some of these are NBD, but some may require treatment. It could be! Different types of orgasms can cause cramping and discomfort in the pelvis, abdomen, back, and rectum. During orgasm, the pelvic floor muscles contract quickly and can cramp.

Is it normal to have pelvic pain all day?

Part of being a woman involves dealing with discomfort in the pelvic region at one point or another. For some women, it may entail monthly menstrual cramps that are short-lived and manageable. For others, pain can linger and be quite severe, possibly signaling a condition known as chronic pelvic pain.

Women with chronic pelvic pain experience discomfort anywhere below the belly button and between the hip bones for six months. The pain can vary. For some, sharp and stabbing pain (sometimes similar to menstrual cramping) comes and goes. For others, it’s steady and dull, like a mild stomach ache. Often, pelvic pain can make it hard to live the kind of life you want, interfering with your ability to work, exercise, or have sex.

Chronic pelvic pain can be a symptom of a gynecologic problem, including endometriosis (when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus) or adenomyosis. It can also occur in certain conditions that affect the bladder, intestines, the muscles in the pelvic floor, or even your spine.

Often, multiple sources of pain can be identified at the same time.
Sometimes, the cause of chronic pelvic pain remains unknown.
While not understanding the source of your pain can be frustrating, our Yale Medicine physicians are skilled at determining an appropriate treatment plan.
We can help alleviate your symptoms using a variety of options, from medications to surgery, to get you back to your normal activities.

“It all begins with a full medical history and thorough physical exam. Once we identify the possible sources, we can start treatment. Sometimes we can cure their pain. For others, we may have to focus on improving their symptoms,” says Linda Fan, MD, director of Yale Medicine Gynecologic Specialties,

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What happens if you leave pelvic pain untreated?

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox – Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.

If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.

You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Many types of bacteria can cause PID, but gonorrhea or chlamydia infections are the most common. These bacteria are usually acquired during unprotected sex.

Less commonly, bacteria can enter your reproductive tract anytime the normal barrier created by the cervix is disturbed.
This can happen during menstruation and after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion.
Rarely, bacteria can also enter the reproductive tract during the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) — a form of long-term birth control — or any medical procedure that involves inserting instruments into the uterus.

A number of factors might increase your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, including:

Being sexually active and younger than 25 years old Having multiple sexual partners Being in a sexual relationship with someone who has more than one sex partner Having sex without a condom Douching regularly, which upsets the balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the vagina and might mask symptoms Having a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or a sexually transmitted infection

There is a small increased risk of PID after the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD). This risk is generally confined to the first three weeks after insertion. Untreated pelvic inflammatory disease might cause scar tissue and pockets of infected fluid (abscesses) to develop in the reproductive tract.

Ectopic pregnancy. PID is a major cause of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy can occur when untreated PID has caused scar tissue to develop in the fallopian tubes. The scar tissue prevents the fertilized egg from making its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. Instead, the egg implants in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies can cause massive, life-threatening bleeding and require emergency medical attention. Infertility. Damage to your reproductive organs may cause infertility — the inability to become pregnant. The more times you’ve had PID, the greater your risk of infertility. Delaying treatment for PID also dramatically increases your risk of infertility. Chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause pelvic pain that might last for months or years. Scarring in your fallopian tubes and other pelvic organs can cause pain during intercourse and ovulation. Tubo-ovarian abscess. PID might cause an abscess — a collection of pus — to form in your reproductive tract. Most commonly, abscesses affect the fallopian tubes and ovaries, but they can also develop in the uterus or in other pelvic organs. If an abscess is left untreated, you could develop a life-threatening infection.

To reduce your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease:

Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have sex, limit your number of partners and ask about a potential partner’s sexual history. Talk to your health care provider about contraception. Many forms of contraception do not protect against the development of PID, Using barrier methods, such as a condom, helps to reduce your risk. Even if you take birth control pills, use a condom every time you have sex with a new partner to protect against STI s. Get tested. If you’re at risk of an STI, make an appointment with your provider for testing. Set up a regular screening schedule with your provider if needed. Early treatment of an STI gives you the best chance of avoiding PID, Request that your partner be tested. If you have pelvic inflammatory disease or an STI, advise your partner to be tested and treated. This can prevent the spread of STI s and possible recurrence of PID, Don’t douche. Douching upsets the balance of bacteria in your vagina.

Is pelvic pain an STD?

What is PID? – Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of a woman’s reproductive organs. It is a complication often caused by some STDs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, Other infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause PID.

How many men have pelvic pain?

What is Male Pelvic Pain? With so many cases of male pelvic pain and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) in the UK, we’ve put together this handy infographic to help you better understand the condition and its symptoms.

How does prostate pain feel like?

Chronic prostatitis – You may have chronic prostatitis if you have had some of the following symptoms for at least 3 months:

These symptoms can have a significant impact on your quality of life. But in most cases, they’ll gradually improve over time and with treatment.

What is the most common primary cause of pelvic pain?

Most Common Causes of Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain refers to any pain in the lower part of your belly — between your navel and vagina. Usually, it’s due to organs in this area responsible for reproduction, digestion, or urination. The pain may feel intense or dull, stay concentrated or radiate.

Why do I keep getting pain in my pelvic area?

Pelvic Pain | Lower Abdominal Pain | MedlinePlus URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/pelvicpain.html Pelvic pain occurs mostly in the lower area. The pain might be steady, or it might come and go. It can be a sharp and stabbing pain in a specific spot, or a dull pain that is spread out.

If the pain is severe, it might get in the way of your daily activities. If you’re a woman, you might feel pain during your, It could also happen when you have sex. Pelvic pain can be a sign that there is a problem with one of the organs in your pelvic area, such as the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, or vagina.

If you’re a man, the cause could be problem with the, In men and women, it could be a symptom of infection, or a problem with the urinary tract, lower intestines, rectum, muscle, or bone. Some women have more than one cause of pelvic pain at the same time.

(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

(National Cancer Institute)

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Learn how to cite this page : Pelvic Pain | Lower Abdominal Pain | MedlinePlus

Can sperm cause pelvic pain?

Most commonly, it’s a reaction to the hormone prostaglandin in sperm – Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances in sperm that some people with vaginas are sensitive to. Their release into your vagina could cause cramps. Prostaglandins are also produced in the lining of your uterus and are often behind period cramps and other unpleasant period symptoms, like headaches and the oh-so-charming period poops and farts,

Chukwudi Eze