Also know as prostatitis, pelvic pain syndrome, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, chronic genitourinary pain, pudendal neuralgia, painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis.
Prostatodynia or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a pelvic pain condition in men.
Symptoms may include a few or all of the following:
- Pain in the testicles, or tip, shaft or base of the penis
- Pain at the perineum (the area between the testicles and penis)
- Pain on urination
- Increased pain in sitting
- Pain or discomfort with sexual arousal, or during or after ejaculation
- Pain or discomfort above the pubic bone
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Pain before, during or after a bowel movement
- Decreased interest in sex
- It is often found along with interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome and IBS (irritable
bowel syndrome)
Investigations for bacteria and yeast are negative. Physical examination does not usually show anything unusual, although the prostate may be swollen, soft or firm, warm and tender. What can make the problem even more confusing is that often young, otherwise healthy men develop this condition. Antibiotics, pain-killers, and medications prescribed in attempt to relax the muscles of the prostate are often not effective. Many men have been told that they must learn to live with the symptoms because a cure is not available.
This condition is now understood as a pain condition and it is highly doubtful that problem lies solely in the prostate. Treatment interventions include pain education and ensuring an understanding of the multiple factors contributing to the condition; ensuring there is no reactive pelvic floor spasm and if so, teaching men skill in relaxing their pelvic floor; bladder management techniques; and cognitive, behavioural and dietary interventions to address bladder and bowel symptoms. Using these interventions, concepts of pacing and grading are included to enable men to return to activities (sitting, cycling, sexual) that have become too painful to enjoy. Our clinic is fully equipped with biofeedback and imaging ultrasound to ensure the best in technology to support excellence in assessment and treatment. Our philosophy is to teach clients what they need to know and do in order to be able to manage their condition and minimize or eliminate pain and other symptoms.