The prostate is a gland shaped like a walnut with two lobes surrounded by a covering of tissue. It's located in front of the rectum and under the bladder, and sends fluid into the urethra to create semen. There are a variety of causes of prostate pain, some of which can be easily remedied and some that can be potentially life-threatening. Have regular prostate exams to identify any possible sources of pain.
Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy, is a possible cause of prostate pain. This condition occurs in most men as they age, typically after age 60. This disorder is not a cancer. Also, it does not increase risk for prostate cancer, notes MedlinePlus. The only known risk factor for an enlarged prostate is having testicles with normal function.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer also causes pain during urination, which may be felt in the pelvis, back or hips, notes the National Cancer Institute. Pain is also felt during urination and ejaculation. This disorder is most common in men over age 50; African American men have a higher risk for this disease. There is also a genetic risk for this disorder, reports the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Bacterial Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that causes the prostate to be painful and swollen, reports the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases. This disorder typically occurs in middle aged or younger men. There are several variations of prostatitis, including acute bacterial prostatitis, which is possibly life-threatening, and chronic bacterial prostatitis, which is rare. Seek medical care immediately for any type of prostate pain.
Chronic Prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is the most common type of prostatitis. The journal "Reviews in Urology" reported in 2008 that at least 15 percent of men above age 50 will be diagnosed with prostatitis at some point in their life. The exact cause of CPPS is not yet known, reports the National Guideline Clearinghouse. It is diagnosed via symptoms of pain in the pelvic area for more than three months.
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
The other type of prostatitis is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. It also causes prostate pain that is either sporadic or ongoing.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer Symptoms
- National Human Genome Research Institute: Prostate Cancer Information
- National Guideline Clearinghouse: Prostate Pain Syndrome Information
- "Reviews in Urology": Prostate Pain Information
