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Pelvic pain refers to any pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen. Men also experience chronic pelvic pain. In men it is called Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) and is also known as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. Usually, pelvic pain in males is related to the intestines or urinary tract. It may range from mild discomfort or cramping, to severe, intense pain. This pain may be acute, when it occurs suddenly, or chronic, when the pain lasts for a long period of time. Men in this category have no known infection, but do have extensive pelvic pain lasting more than 3 months.
Causes
- Pelvic Adhesions, fibrous bands that hold together parts that are usually separate
- Sexually Transmitted Infections, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia peritonitis
- Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, usually caused by an infection
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Urethra Infection
- Hernia, a bulging of internal organs or tissues through an abnormal opening in the muscle wall
- Testicular Torsion, that is, twisting of the testicles
- epididymitis, that is, inflammation of the tubes that drain the testicles
- Colon Cancer
- Diverticulitis, in which small sacs form in the walls of the intestines
- Irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract
- Gastroenteritis, that is, infection in the digestive tract
- Kidney Stone abscess, or pus pocket
- Appendicitis, the inflammation of the appendix
- Muscular Skeletal Disorders, such as a shifting of the pelvic bones
- Psychological Factors like stress
Symptoms
- Pain or discomfort during or after ejaculation
- Discomfort/aching/pain in the rectum, penis and testicles
- Suprapubic pain (pain above the pubic bone)
- Perineal pain (pain between the scrotum and anus)
- Coccygeal pain (pain in and around the tailbone)
- Low back pain (on one side or both)
- Groin pain (on one side or both)
- Dysuria (pain or burning during urination)
- Nocturia (frequent urination at night)
- Reduced urinary stream
- Sense of incomplete urinating
- Discomfort or relief after a bowel movement
Treatments
- Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may ease the pain.
- A four week course of antibiotics is suggested, to ensure that no infection is present.
- Alpha-blockers are medicines that are used to treat prostate enlargement. These relax the muscle tissue of the prostate and the outlet of the bladder.
- Other medicines such as bioflavinoids (eg quercetin), allopurinol, and finasteride (a medicine which may 'shrink' the prostate).
- Removal of the prostate (prostatectomy) may be considered if there are small stones (calculi) in the prostate.
- Other surgical techniques to the prostate, such as prostatic thermotherapy, involves heating the prostate.
- Stress management and other pain relieving techniques are sometimes tried to help cope with the persistent pain.
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