Dealing with Male Pelvic Pain
Male Pelvic Pain is a generic term given to chronic pain in the groin, the prostate and surrounding areas of the pelvis. Its genesis varies and is generally considered a symptom. The pain can be a symptom of orchialgia, from a prior surgery around the testicles and penis, and patients who have recently had penile implants. Using neuromodulation and nerve blocks we can sever the ties between the pain receptors and the brain which will numb the pain. Let’s take a deeper look into the more common manifestations briefly aforementioned before delving into medical science’s response to it.
What is Male Pelvic Pain?
Prostatitis
The prostate is a walnut sized gland that sits in front of the rectum – just below the bladder. It has the responsibility of making a part of the fluid required for semen. Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate and is the most common urologic problem in men younger than 50. It can cause painful urination and ejaculation – and is commonly conflated or confused with other urinary tract infections. Prostatitis may not be associated with bacterial infections of the prostate.
Orchialgia
Orchialgia is the name given to long-term pain of the testes considered chronic if the pain persists over three months. It could be caused by injury, surgery, cancer, or testicular torsion – and is a possible complication of a vasectomy.
Inguinal Hernia
A hernia occurs when an internal organ pushes blood through an area that has damaged or weak muscle. Muscles are usually strong enough to keep organs in place, a hernia develops when there are weak spots. An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia – and appears as a swelling or lump in the groin. The swelling can be incredibly painful and will often protrude when lifting something and retract when sitting or lying down.
Surgery hopes to push the bulge back into place and strengthen the weakness in the abdominal wall, however, can cause serious pain to the pelvic area.
Penile Implants
A penile prosthesis is an optional treatment for men with erectile dysfunction. There is a myriad of distinct types of prosthetic from malleable rods to a pump connected to the system, connected under the loose skin of the scrotal sac between the testicles. This surgery can sometimes lead to chronic pain in the penis area.
A Solution to Male Pelvic Pain
Advances in medical science have meant we can deal with acute and chronic localized pain in Male Pelvic Pain regardless of the cause.
Nerve Blocks
During an episode of chronic pain, a group of nerves called a plexus or ganglion sends pain signals to the brain. This pathway can be blocked using Nerve Blocks – an injection of medication that numbs a specific region of the body from picking up pain signals. The brain will not receive signals that the area is in pain which stops pain.
Therapeutic Nerves Blocks can be used to treat more painful conditions. These blocks contain local anaesthetic than can control and relieve a localized pain.
Sympathetic Nerves Blocks can be used to determine if there is damage to the sympathetic nerve chain which serves as a diagnostic.
These can be used after, or in lieu of, surgery.
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation is the process by which an implantable wire is placed onto the nerves carrying the electrical transmission of pain and thereby reducing the painful firing of those nerves. This is a very common approach to alter the nerve activity. The process normalizes or modulates nervous tissue function. Subsequently, neuromodulation minimizes symptoms of Male Chronic Pelvic Pain by lessening the number of painful neurons fired.
If you are interested in tackling Male Pelvic Pain with one of these minimally interventional methods, contact us to discuss a plan.