How to Identify & Treat Prostatitis In The Prostate—an Essential Gland for Male Fertility

Men's Health Info and Treatment for Prostatitis.png

By: Allea Francis, PT, DPT

Let's talk about the prostate, an essential gland for male fertility.

The prostate is a small walnut sized gland that sits in the pelvic bowl behind the bladder. The function of the prostate is to provide fluid for the semen and enhance mobility of the sperm. However, the prostate can get inflamed and cause pain in the pelvic region.

Symptoms of prostatitis Include:

pain with ejaculation
pain during sex
burning pain at the tip, shaft, or base of the penis
dull ache or pressure in the rectum
urinary frequency
pain between scrotum and anus
incomplete voiding of urine
weak urine stream
urinating more than once throughout the night
discomfort or straining with bowel movements
low back pain

Prostatitis can be recognized in 4 different categories:

Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (most common)
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Some potential causes of prostatitis include—but are not limited to—pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, infection, urethral stricture, enlarged prostate (benign prostate hyperplasia), prostate cancer, trauma to the pelvis or genitals, prolonged sitting, stress, history of sexual abuse, hemorrrhoids, constipation, hemorrhoids, and/or postural dysfunction.

However, most cases of prostatitis are chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, and should be treated with a multi-modal approach to understand the underlying condition. It is important to recognize that antibiotics will not fully treat this diagnosis as the pain is not driven by a bacterial infection and should be treated for the underlying conditions (stated above).

The following video by fellow pelvic healer Dr. Sherine Aubert, PT, DPT, PRPC explains the anatomy and symptoms of chronic prostatitis specifically. In it, she also covers how a pelvic floor physical therapist can aid in healing.

How can pelvic floor physical therapy support the male patient who may be experiencing these symptoms?

Addressing pelvic floor muscle tension
Stretching the muscles that are attached to the bony pelvis (hip flexors, adductors, abdominal muscles, hamstrings, etc)
Providing downtraining tools to reduce central nervous system pain signals (meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, fascial release techniques, guided imagery, etc)
Posture education
Pain science education

It is recommended if you have concerns if you may have prostatitis, please refer to your urologist for proper screening. This would include a digital rectal exam to assess for prostate enlargement and for pain. Furthermore, a pelvic ultrasound and or cystoscope may be used to examine the health of the prostate, or perhaps a urodynamics test to assess urine flow and to determine if there is any blockage in the stream. The urologist would determine from there the best treatment approach if there are increased white blood cells presents or there is physical deformation of the pelvic organs.

We want to encourage you to get evaluated by one of our outstanding physical therapists, and regain control of your life. Pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, back pain, tailbone pain—you name it—these conditions do not have to control your life. There is hope. Call us today to book an appointment for 1 of our 3 Southern California locations, or inquire about a virtual, online treatment session.

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