Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which is found below a man's bladder. The prostate produces semen, the liquid transport for sperm. Prostatitis may cause pain and difficulty in urination, flu-like symptoms, and pain in the pelvis and genitals. The condition can have several causes, which can come on suddenly or have a gradual onset, lingering for months. Because of the location of the prostrate gland -- above the perineum -- sitting and doing repetitive sit-up exercises can cause irritation and additional inflammation.
Causes and Symptoms
Prostatitis may be caused by a bacterial infections, with rapid onset of symptoms. With this type of infection, patients often feel the need for frequent urination, especially at night. There may be fever, chills, nausea and pelvic pain. Chronic prostatitis may be the result of frequent, recurrent infections of the urinary tract that occur over time. The symptoms are similar to those of an acute infection, but less intense.
Sitting and Sit-ups
Men experiencing prostatitis will most likely complain of pain and discomfort during times when they must remain in a sitting position. Sitting casues pressure on the perineum and decreases circulation in the area, affecting the urethra, bladder and prostate gland. Since sitting causes such problems for the patient with prostatitis, doing sit-ups may aggravate the condition, causing unnecessary pain. Strengthening the abs can be accomplished with other exercises that don't require repetitive movement in the painful area.
Exercise
New evidence indicates that participating in several hours of exercise each week may reduce some of the symptoms of chronic prostatitis, according to Harvard Medical School. It reports that aerobic exercises such as walking provided greater relief from symptoms than non-aerobic exercises such as sit-ups, leg lifts and stretching. Most aerobic exercises, including walking, swimming, jogging, tennis, golfing, raquetball, dancing and hiking, are acceptable for men with protatitis. However, use caution when riding a bicycle, according to the Harvard evidence. Sitting on a bike seat can compress the nerves around the perineum, between the anus and scrotum, possibly leading to numbness of the penis and other complications.
Non-Surgical Solutions
For those suffering from chronic prostatitis, relieve pain by lessening pressure on the prostrate area. Lie down instead of sitting or use a prostrate cushion if you must sit. These cushions are designed to relieve pressure and prevent the nerves from becoming trapped. Try sitting on a heating pad, which provides relief for some men when they must sit at the office or in the car for long periods.
