Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome In Men

Chronic pelvic pain in men is a complex and often misunderstood issue of pain in men. Living with persistent pelvic discomfort can significantly impact your daily life, affecting your physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Our compassionate team of skilled physiotherapists in Langley are committed to providing a comprehensive and personalized approach to managing your chronic pelvic pain, empowering you to regain control over your body and improve your quality of life.

Physiotherapy Treatment For Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome In Men

Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome In Men

As a leading provider of physiotherapy services for men, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide evidence-based treatments and holistic care tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Our expert team stays up-to-date with the latest research and advancements in the field, ensuring you receive the most effective and innovative solutions for your chronic pelvic pain.

We aim to help you better understand your condition and guide you toward a more comfortable and fulfilling life.

What is chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men?

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), previously known as chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, is a condition with long-term pelvic pain without evidence of a bacterial infection affecting men. The condition is characterized by ongoing disabling pain around the pelvis, genitals or perineum with no identifiable cause that can develop over months or years.

The pain experienced varies from person to person in ranging severity, type, and perpetuity. CPPS is the most common urologic disease in men below 50 years old. CPPS has a widely negative impact on quality of life compared to other diseases.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men is also synonymous with persistent pelvic pain, chronic prostatitis, or chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. The differences usually are:

Chronic prostatitis: is a recurrent bacterial infection in the prostate gland lasting over three months. The prostate is a gland in the lower urinary tract in males. When it is infected, it can cause urinary issues and pain.

Chronic pelvic pain: is when the pain doesn’t go away after several treatments with antibiotics or there are no associated signs of inflammation or infection. It cannot be attributed to a specific diagnosis; it is considered chronic non-bacterial prostatitis or chronic/persistent pelvic pain.

CPPS is the most commonly diagnosed condition, usually seen in physiotherapy settings.

What are the associated causes of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men?

The cause of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men is not fully understood but could be related to trauma, disease, and injury. However, there are several theories of causation, which include:

  • Inflammation: in the prostate gland, urinary tract, seminal vesicles, prostate enlargement and inflammation of the bladder and urethra. Pain can be present even after the infection, or inflammation has resolved.
  • Stress and or anxiety.
  • Previous abdominal surgeries
  • Chronic constipation
  • Increase or changes in exercise intensity
  • Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
  • Nerve damage or irritation.
  • Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Autoimmune disorders.
  • Trauma or injury to the pelvic area.
  • Endocrine hormone abnormalities.
  • Bacterial infection.

Symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men:

Men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome typically experience a burning sensation during urination and intermittent but persistent pain in the lower back, genital area and pelvic region.

  • In the urethra
  • Penis
  • Rectum
  • Groin
  • Testicles
  • Perineum (area between the genitals and the anus)
  • Prostate pain
  • Lower back Pain
  • Pubic bone area pain
  • Lower abdominal or suprapubic area pain

Other symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men may also include

  • Frequent urination
  • Nocturia – frequency of urination at night
  • Pain during ejaculation
  • Erectile functional loss
  • Pain during exercising or sexual activity
  • Urgency and post-void dribbling
  • Bowel problems- diarrhea, constipation
Pelvic Physiotherapy Treatment For Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome In Men

Physiotherapy management for chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men:

Our evaluation will include a detailed Subjective assessment – personal history, associated medical condition and symptoms.

Our assessment is long and detailed as, in most cases, we firmly believe that the patient’s account of their history and condition is more valuable. So, this part of the process might take some time to ensure we get all the pertinent information. If any of our questions seem too personal or sensitive, we will always give you an understanding of why we are asking these questions. We ensure that we will always take your privacy seriously.

We may also use specific questionnaires to objectively measure your progress, including assessing stress and anxiety levels. Stress or anxiety can also result in pain and sensitization of your pelvic area, causing muscle spasms.

The objective examination will include the assessment of general mobility and range in the thoracic, lumbar spine, pelvic muscles, and hips.

Most assessment is external to palpate the pelvic areas and perineum based on the need and symptoms. However, an internal rectal /anus assessment may be done by your physiotherapist to help determine your pain symptoms associated with pelvic floor muscles and to assess their function and tone. However, this is done only after providing you with a full explanation and understanding before obtaining consent for any internal examination.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men

Pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men will include the following:

  • Assessing and identifying any pelvic floor muscles dysfunction and trigger points or sensitivity in these muscles.
  • Manual therapy treatment to soft tissues.
  • Internal trigger point release also may be provided based on findings to help reduce any sensitivity.  
  • Pelvic Floor Exercise -The pelvic floor is often tight or overactive due to stress and pressure. Pelvic floor exercises may involve techniques to help relax these muscles, with manual therapy provided by your physiotherapists at the clinic or yourself as part of your home program.
  • Relaxation training and stretches.
  • Bowel and bladder retraining to optimize their function and reduce the stress on the pelvic floor.

We’re now seeing more and more men at our clinic with pelvic pain lately coming for pelvic floor physio, which may be due to greater awareness of the condition. This could mean less stigma surrounding it, resulting in more male clients seeking help.

For further information about chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men and how our physiotherapy treatment can help men’s pelvic pain, please contact our Langley Physiotherapist now.