What is male pelvic pain?
It can be hard to find out information about pelvic pain in men and many men go years untreated before they learn their issues are some kind of pelvic pain. The diagnoses of pelvic pain can be confusing and have changed over time as our understanding of them has changed. They include Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS), previously known as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CP), or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD).
A note about gender and sex here: The terms “male/female” or “men/women” used here aim to be inclusive of all gender expressions and will refer to one’s assigned sex at birth.
Male pelvic pain or discomfort can range from mild to debilitating, it can be dull or sharp at the same time constant or intermittent.
Symptoms of Male Pelvic Pain Include:
- Pain in your lower abdomen, groin, scrotum, anus, or perineum (The perineum is a diamond-shaped area at the bottom of your pelvis that includes the anus and genitals)
- Pressure or heaviness that feels like you have to pee again
- Burning or tingling in the perineum or genitals
- Pain/discomfort worse with sitting that feels like sitting on a golf ball
- Discomfort or pain during urination
- Discomfort or pain during or after erection or ejaculation
- Low back pain
- Pain during bowel movements
What is chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)?
According to research, in order to diagnose CPPS, four important factors need to be considered:
- Symptoms occurring in the perineal and/or low abdominal region.
- Infection and/or inflammation of the prostate, supported by abnormal findings in laboratory tests.
- Clinical presentations primarily involve pain and discomfort related to the prostate and lower urinary tract.
- Symptoms appear after a trigger and with varying incubation times.
In addition, there are other associated symptoms that may be present, such as pain and discomfort during urination, changes in urination patterns, abnormal secretions from the urinary tract, and pain during ejaculation, among others.
Why is pelvic pain in men such a mystery?
The tests, scans, and procedures showed that I was healthy. However, those results and the advice from specialists didn’t match how I actually felt or functioned. It made me feel frustrated, alone, and powerless for a long time. I started to believe that I would never find peace within myself again.
Pain Can Be Mentally and Physically Exhausting
I love a good mystery. But if you are living with male pelvic pain in Washington, DC, it is exhausting trying to find your way out. It can affect your mood, work, sleep, relationships, and your motivation to do even things you love. It can be too embarrassing or shameful to share. And nearly impossible to find someone who can help.
Men Often Feel Discouraged and Alone On This Journey
By the time my patients see me, they have often waited years to find a treatment that works. It often takes a long time to figure out where to even start. And then frequently urologists and pain specialists have not been able to identify the root cause of their pain. Men are left to be their own sleuths and can often feel discouraged and alone. Let’s start to unpack the mystery.
A good mystery starts with a crime
One day, my pelvic pain suddenly appeared without warning. It gradually developed over the course of years before reaching a severe level.
The crime creates the central conflict that launches the investigation, sending the main character on their quest and spurring the narrative arc. Often an injury, infection, or trauma started a snowball effect leading to persistent pain that outlasts the healing after the event. Or sometimes seem like there is no specific event that set things off.
There are many potential risk factors associated with CPPS including:
- Diet (alcohol, coffee, hot pepper, and spicy foods, excessive dieting, bowel dysfunctions)
- Sexual habits (delaying ejaculation, sexual abstinence, excessive sex, coitus interruption)
- Lifestyle (sedentary life)
- Perineal trauma (pelvic floor muscle tenderness, sitting position, traumatic sports for perineum, constrictive clothing)
The plot thickens
My stress and anxiety seemed to make my symptoms worse. It wasn’t getting any better and started to take over my life and work.
Why does stress seem to make chronic pain symptoms worse? The answer is complicated. Stress can affect everything from the way we hold tension in our bodies, our breathing patterns, our digestion, and sleep.
Moreover, stress can trigger the release of certain chemicals in our bodies that heighten pain sensitivity, making chronic pain symptoms feel even more intense. When we are under stress, our bodies produce stress hormones like cortisol, which can increase inflammation and amplify pain signals. This heightened pain perception can create a vicious cycle, as the increased pain then leads to more stress, further exacerbating the symptoms.
The sleuth prevails
There is no magic bullet, and medications are not enough to solve chronic pelvic pain. It takes urologists, pain management doctors, physical therapists, psychologists, and sexual health counselors to create a multidisciplinary approach to finding effective treatment. Ultimately, you are the sleuth that has been holding the clues to the mystery. A pelvic floor physical therapist is perfectly positioned to help solve your pain mystery because they take a holistic approach that encompasses more than what doctors use.
A Thorough Assessment
A physical therapist can do a thorough assessment of muscles, fascia, joints, organs, and nerves by observing and palpating changes in posture, movement, and alignment. In addition, a PT can give advice on things like exercises, lifestyle, diet, and ergonomics that make a day-to-day lasting change. It may take weeks, months, or years to find the right combination of solutions, but the mystery of male pelvic pain in Washington, DC can be solved. Learn more about Dr. Hope’s approach.
Begin Therapy for Male Pelvic Pain in Washington, DC
Live embodied. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for male pelvic pain and Dr. Hope can help you deal with some of your most sensitive issues. Your goals matter. Your dignity matters.
Contact us for a free consultation to start the process. Restore Hope offers free consultations so that we can help you navigate this confusing healthcare process. We also want to build a relationship with you right from the start.
To schedule the consultation, you can call or text 202-990-7177 or send an email to DrHope@restorehopept.com.
Other pelvic floor physical therapy services at Restore Hope PT
Dr. Hope works on a wide variety of pelvic health-related issues with all genders. Besides male pelvic pain, she also works with female sexual dysfunction, female pelvic pain, and female urinary incontinence.
To schedule the consultation, you can call or text 202-990-7177 or send an email to DrHope@restorehopept.com.