Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

The Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (also known as Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis) is a pelvic pain condition in men. It should be distinguished from other known forms of prostatitis, such as chronic bacterial prostatitis and acute bacterial prostatitis. This condition was formerly known as prostatodynia (painful prostate).

Symptoms include pelvic or perineal pain without evidence of urinary tract infection, lasting longer than 3 months. Symptoms may wax and wane. Pain can range from mild to debilitating. Pain may radiate to the back and rectum, making sitting uncomfortable. Other reported symptoms are dysuria (painful urination), anthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain), unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain and a constant burning pain in the penis.

Some patients report low libido, sexual dysfunction and erectile difficulties as a result of their Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome.

The symptoms of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome may be the combinational result of psychological factors, such as stress, and some perceived dysfunction in the immune, neurological and endocrine systems. Some even equate the Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome with the equally elusive Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)[1].

[1] Pontari et al: New developments in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in Current Opinion in Urology - 2013