Penis Pain May Signal Prostatitis

Urinating is supposed to be no big deal – just unzip, aim and shoot. But sometimes things don’t go exactly that way, such as when a guy finds that urinating is accompanied by penis pain – a burning sensation, perhaps. And sometimes there’s penis pain even when not urinating, making a guy feel even more nervous about the state of his penis health. Many things can be responsible for penis pain – including prostatitis.

About prostatitis

As most men may deduce from its name, prostatitis is a medical condition involving the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, which is located directly below the bladder and in front of the anus. Only men carry a prostate gland, for the perfectly sensible reason that it plays a significant role in creating semen, which in turn protects and energizes sperm on their journey.

Simply put, prostatitis means that the prostate has become swollen and inflamed. And that can cause a few problems.

Symptoms

Symptoms commonly associated with prostatitis include, as mentioned above:

1) Pain in the penis, either when urinating or when at rest – or both;

2) Difficulty urinating, such as “dribbling” or may experience difficulty getting things going;

3) The need to urinate more often than usual greater urgency;

4) Cloudy or pinkish urine (indicating the presence of blood);

5) Blood in the semen and/or painful ejaculation.

In addition to these symptoms, a man may experience pain near the penis – in the perineum (the area between the balls and the anus), in the balls themselves, or in the stomach or pelvis. Occasionally, there may be some general aches and pains that can resemble flu symptoms. Sometimes men with prostatitis may experience erectile issues.

Causes

So, prostatitis is a real pain – but what brings it about? Much is still being learned about it, but one of the most common causes of prostatitis is a bacterial infection. Sometimes that bacteria is chlamydia, a serious sexually-transmitted infection (STI). But more often it is bacteria which is not sexually transmitted. For example, bacteria in urine may leak into the prostate, causing the infection. This may happen for several reasons, one of them being not completely eliminating urine from the body when urinating.

Sometimes trauma to the lower urinary tract might cause nerve damage that creates a non-bacterial form of prostatitis.

Treatment

When the cause of prostatitis is bacterial, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics to treat it. Most often this takes the form of a 4-to-6 week course of oral antibiotics. Severe or persistent cases may require an IV form of antibiotics. Alpha blockers and non-steroidal inflammatory drugs may also be used to help deal with pain symptoms. Sometimes lifestyle changes – such as eliminating certain foods or drinks, utilizing warm water baths, etc. – may also be recommended.

The penis pain associated with prostatitis may require that the penis be given soothing treatments to help ease the soreness. Regular use of a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may help. For example, often making sure the penis is well-moisturized can prove soothing, in which case a crème that includes both a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) is urged. In addition, a crème with L-arginine can help to allow penile blood vessels to more easily expand, thereby providing nutrients and oxygen to nourish and strengthen penile cells.

Penis Pain Prevention: Signs of Prostatitis

It’s difficult to imagine that any man could enjoy penis pain, and similarly guys really should want to avoid prostatitis - if they know what it is, which all men really need to know. While prostatitis isn’t a direct penis health concern, it does have an impact on penis-related matters and can be a cause of penis pain. Therefore, learning about the signs and symptoms of prostatitis is important for every man.

What is it?

It’s something that almost half of all men will experience at some point in their lives, and between 5% and 10% of men may be experiencing now. Yet far too few men really know about prostatitis, a condition in which the prostate gland becomes significantly enlarged.

The prostate gland is located just below the bladder. It’s a fairly small gland that plays a big role in reproduction, as it is the "factory" that creates most of a man’s semen. When a man goes in for a physical and the doctor inserts his finger into the rectum, he is doing so to check the prostate. One of the things he is checking for is the size of the gland. If it is larger than normal, it may be a sign of prostatitis.

So what’s the big deal if the prostate is too big? It’s important because the size doesn’t occur naturally but as a result of inflammation.

When a guy has prostatitis, it can create several issues: pain in the area (including penis pain); issues with urination; sexual function challenges; and general well-being problems, such as feeling fatigued.

Signs and symptoms

Although a doctor’s first indication of possible prostatitis may come about from the rectal exam, there are a number of other signs and symptoms that can be related to this condition. While it is possible for a man to have prostatitis and be asymptomatic (especially in the early stages), often a man will notice one of more of these markers as well:

- Dysuria , which is a fancy way of saying he experiences burning or stinging penis pain when he urinates. In addition, he may need to urinate frequently during the night (which is officially called nocturia) and/or he may find that he often "dribbles" while trying to urinate rather than producing a steady stream. Sometimes there may be an atypical urgency to his need to urinate.

- Unusual appearance of urine. Most often, this refers to either cloudiness in the urine or to the presence of blood in the urine.

- Pain. This may be penis pain at any time, or it may be pain while ejaculating. The pain may also present in the scrotum, the perineum, the abdomen or the lower back.

- Chills, fatigue and fever. In some instances, these flu-like symptoms may occur.

- Depression is also a fairly common symptom related to prostatitis.

If a man thinks he may have prostatitis, it’s important that he consult with his doctor. The doctor can then determine what is causing the inflammation and recommend the appropriate course of action.

Prostatitis and the accompanying penis pain can be challenging, but things are a bit easier when a man keeps his penis in overall good health. Use a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) to help achieve that goal. Topical application of needed vitamins enables them to more directly achieve their targets, so choosing a crème with a range of vitamins (such as A, B5, C, D and E) is a wise choice. In addition, look for a crème that includes L-arginine. This amino acid plays a key role in process that encourages dilation of penile blood vessels and the subsequent ability to accommodate a greater flow of blood to the organ when required.

Penis Pain: Taking Care of Prostatitis

What is the top reason for a man under the age of 50 to visit a urologist? Penis pain caused by prostatitis, that’s what. And yet this very common male condition is not one that is widely known - and certainly not widely understood. Knowing about prostatitis is an important component of exercising proper penis care and can have a long-term effect on both sexual health and general health.

What is prostatitis?
 
Prostatitis is an infection and/or inflammation of the prostate, a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is found in men between the bladder and the penis. It secretes a fluid that mixes with sperm to create semen.

Although bacteria can be the culprit in both acute and chronic prostatitis, this occurs in only 5-10% of cases. The vast majority of cases are nonbacterial in nature and often referred to as chronic pelvic pain syndrome. In all of these cases, penis pain is a common symptom, typically reflecting a urinary tract issue.

It’s important to note (and be reassured) that there is not a relationship between prostatitis and prostate cancer. It’s also now considered rare for the condition to result from sexual sources.

Causes and symptoms
 
Causes that are typically associated with prostatitis include being on the receiving end of anal sex; bladder infections; catheterization; urinary tract abnormalities; and/or an enlarged prostate.

Men often have prostatitis for a long time without experiencing symptoms or without realizing the symptoms are related to prostatitis. Typical signs include penis pain or burning while urinating; a frequent need to urinate; difficulty in successfully urinating; and chills or fever.

The penis pain that accompanies urination is a classic prostatitis signal. Unfortunately, it is also a common sign of other issues, and so accurate diagnosis may require some time.

Treatment
 
How prostatitis is treated depends upon what is the cause. When it is bacterial in nature, antibiotics are usually recommended. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants are often prescribed when the condition is nonbacterial is nature. Many men also find relief in sitz baths (sitting in a bathtub in 2-3 inches of warm water) on a regular basis. A stool softener may be recommended, as well as prostate massage in some cases.

Dietary changes may also play a role in treatment. For example, reducing or eliminating caffeine or strongly acidic foods may help to ease the condition.

Sometimes men with chronic prostatitis find that it can cause them to feel moody or depressed, depending upon the level and frequency of pain. This can have a negative effect on their overall mental and physical well-being.

Sexual issues
 
Most men with prostatitis continue to have healthy sexual lives; however, in some instances there can be some pain, usually on an occasional basis, during coupling or other forms of sexual activity. The penis can still function normally; however, the discomfort that occurs may sometimes interfere with the desire and ability to engage sexually. Receiving proper treatment for prostatitis can help to relieve this issues and enable a man to fully enjoy his sexual experiences.

Any penis pain, whether the result of prostatitis or another cause, is something most men would prefer to avoid. Maintaining the instrument in good health can help reduce instances of pain and make one alert to issues that require attention. Regular use of a quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) should therefore be part of every man’s daily routine. Use of a crème with a potent antioxidant like alpha lipoic acid is especially advised. Alpha lipoic acid works to tackle harmful oxidative and aging processes in penis cells and keep them operating on a healthy level. Also essential in the best crèmes is acetyl L-carnitine, which is thought to behave synergistically with alpha lipoic acid. Acetyl L-carnitine helps to reverse damage to penis cell mitochondria, thereby delaying the aging process and keeping both nerve and cell function in better shape.

Coping With Prostatitis: What All Men Should Know

About half of all men will develop prostatitis at some point during their lives, but a survey by the American Foundation for Urologic Disease found that only 15 percent of men had even heard of the disorder, which can cause painful ejaculation and urinary-related symptoms. Since some forms of prostatitis are remarkably easy to treat when the proper medications are applied, it pays for men to more about what to watch for and how to care for themselves when the problem arises. In some cases, proper penis care could also help men prevent prostatitis from even taking hold.

Multiple Forms, One Name

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that's located right below a man's bladder. It's considered part of the reproductive system, as the prostate produces semen, but it shares the same pathway used by the kidneys. This shared road could lead to infections, as bacteria found inside the urine can sometimes creep into the prostate, causing bacterial forms of prostatitis. Acute forms of infection can lead to:

• Fevers

• Back pain

• Chills

• Painful urination

The pain can be overwhelming, but quick treatment with antibiotics can do the trick and restore a man to normal. Not all men have such a bold cue to follow, however. There are subtle infections that can cause symptoms that can be mild and easy for a man to ignore. A feeling of heaviness or mild pain during urination or ejaculation could be all these men notice. Yet other forms of prostatitis lead to no overt symptoms at all, aside from mild swelling a doctor might notice during a routine exam.

Risk Factors

While it's true that prostatitis is common, it's also true that the condition remains a bit of a medical mystery. Young men who have unprotected sex are generally considered at risk for some forms of prostatitis, as infections with sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS and chlamydia have been linked to prostatitis problems in some men. In addition, men who are quite ill and who require a catheter to be placed as they recover might also be at increased risk for prostatitis, as these sorts of medical interventions can introduce bacteria into the body and lead to infections in all kinds of places. Some men develop prostatitis for reasons their doctors can't quite explain, however, although research continues on this important issue.

Staying Safe

Pain during urination, discolored urine or pain or aches in the abdomen might all be signs of prostatitis, and a visit to the doctor can help men obtain a firm diagnosis. A prostate exam, followed by urine tests or other laboratory tests, could help doctors to pinpoint the cause of the symptoms, and medications might help to ease symptoms or make the problem go away altogether. Augmenting this medical treatment with proper home case could help men to heal a bit faster.

Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day allows the bladder plenty of fluid for flushing out harmful bacteria, and these organisms will quickly move through the body when a person is adequately hydrated in this manner. Heading to the bathroom when the urge to urinate arises is another healthy step, as the bacteria will be able to leave the body as quickly as possible. Staying clean can also keep bacteria from building up on the penis, providing fewer chances for germs to enter the body. A daily rinse with soap and warm water can help to remove common inflammatory agents, and following up that cleaning with a penis health creme (most experts recommend Man 1 Man Oil) is another prudent step. Penis health cremes keep the skin soft and supple, providing fewer nooks and crannies of dry skin for bacteria to hide in. Smooth penis skin is also more responsive and receptive, which could provide men with benefits of an entirely different nature.