- – Erectile dysfunction during prostatitis is common.
FACT: The nerves that control erections run alongside the prostate and may be temporarily aggravated by prostate inflammation. This usually resolves in the weeks after treatment.
- – Only truck drivers get prostatitis.
FICTION: The classic example of someone who is prone to prostatitis is a truck driver. This is related to the daily activity of sitting in one position for many hours and holding urination as long as possible. Any activity, occupation, or hobby that has similar daily activity puts a person at risk for prostatitis. Other common occupations that might expect episodes of prostatitis include computer operators, judges, telephone operators, and teachers.
– Pain and blood with ejaculation are common with prostatitis.
FACT: The inflammation in prostatitis most often causes both symptoms. Blood in the semen rarely indicates cancer. The pain usually subsides over the course of treatment. The blood may persist for several months following treatment, sometimes giving a rusty discoloration to the semen.
– Untreated prostate infections may lead to reduced fertility.
FACT: This is generally a problem in 3rd world countries where access to healthcare and medication is limited. Infections that get out of control and go untreated can lead to blockages in the fertility anatomy. Also, the body’s immune system may learn to attack the body’s own sperm or impair the sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg.
– Prostatitis leads to cancer.
FICTION: No studies link prostatitis to prostate cancer. It is true, however, that PSA readings may be falsely elevated during an episode of prostatitis. If the PSA is being used to screen for prostate cancer, make sure that an episode of prostatitis is cleared up for several weeks before trusting the PSA result.
– Prostatitis that doesn’t respond to treatment needs additional evaluation.
FACT: Persistence of symptoms warrants x-ray studies and a look in the bladder (cystoscopy) to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Helpful Hints for Prostatitis
- Avoid CAFFEINE (Coffee, Tea, Colas, Chocolate)
- Avoid CARBONATED SODAS » Avoid CITRUS JUICES and
- FRUITS
- Avoid ALCOHOL
- Avoid SPICY FOODS (Italian, Chinese, and Mexican type dishes)
- Avoid sitting for long periods (this causes pelvic muscle spasm and aggravates the problem)
- Stop Smoking (Smoking causes bladder muscle irritability)
- Lose Weight (Extra weight can place extra pressure on your bladder and pelvic anatomy)
DO drink plenty of water. While this may make you go urinate more frequently, it keeps the urine dilute and less irritating. It also helps purge the bladder and urinary tract of any residual bacteria.
DO take the medications your doctor prescribes for your treatment. The earlier you can stop the inflammation and pain the quicker your return to normal. Often times, prostatitis will improve in just a matter of a week or so. Chances are, though, that the infection is not completely resolved just because
the symptoms are better. Prostate tissue tends to harbor bacteria, so take the full course of medication even if you think you are better.
DO get up and walk, stretch or relax every hour. EXERCISE. This will improve pelvic blood flow and speed healing. However, avoid heavy lifting and SQUAT type exercises. Bicycle riding tends to aggravate prostate infections by putting direct pressure on the prostate gland.
DO Soak in a tub of hot water (called sitz baths). Submerging the pelvis twice daily for 15 minutes can help relieve prostate pain in some men. Heat also helps dilate blood vessels to improve circulation in the area.
DO have regular ejaculation. Ejaculation helps to purge the infected or inflamed fluids from the prostate gland and neighboring seminal vesicles. There is minimal risk of passing a prostate infection to females with sexual activity. You may have seen in Hollywood movies that the doctor will write a prescription or recommend for a man “to have sex three times a day for the rest of his life” to treat and avoid future prostate infections.
