Johns Hopkins Health Alert
When the Chronic Pelvic Pain of Prostatitis Takes a Toll on a Man's Sex Life
If you have chronic prostatitis, the pain in your pelvic area can be excruciating. In the most severe cases, it's the kind of agonizing pain that can affect every aspect of your life, including your ability to urinate, sleep, even sit -- not to mention the toll it can take on your sex life. Now a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (Volume 5, page 657) takes a closer look at the impact of chronic prostatitis on sexual function.
Men who suffer from chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome experience difficulty or dissatisfaction in many areas of their sex lives.
To examine this problem, researchers asked 72 men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and 98 men who had no pain condition (control group) to fill out questionnaires on sexual function and satisfaction. The men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome completed additional questionnaires about their pain and psychological adaptation to their condition.
Regarding sexual function and pain, 64% of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome had experienced pain during or after intercourse compared with 5% of the control group. As a result of their pain, 70% of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome said they had experienced decreased sexual desire and 40% had problems with sexual function. Thirty-six percent said they had never had pain with ejaculation, 51% reported having it occasionally, and 13% said they had it most of the time or always. Compared with men who didn't have chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, those with it had less frequent sexual desires or thoughts, engaged in sexual activity less often, and reported less arousal/erectile function.
If you find that pain from chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is affecting your sex life, talk to your doctor about management strategies that can address your pain and any emotional or psychological issues.
Posted in Enlarged Prostate on December 8, 2009
Reviewed September 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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