Chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men, PART II

The patient must additionally be reassured that CPPS is not cancer; a life-threatening condition; a sexually transmitted disease, or a contageous problem. The patient should be told he is not alone and that many men experience this problem. Local and national support groups recommended by the physician can provide additional information and encouragement.

Several physicians and other health care professionals may need to be involved in the care of CPPS patients. A trained urologist institutes treatment through and in close communication with, the patient’s primary care physician, who remains the mainstay of care. Other consultants of value to patients with CPPs are anesthesiologists and other experts in pain management, including a psychiatrist, An andrology specialist should be consulted for management of erectile dysfunction, if present. Physical medicine therapists and physiotherapists can deal with pelvic floor spasms.

Diet, special activity and medications that may include antibiotics, muscle relaxants etc may be prescribed. Standard mild analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and ibuprofen are well within the domain of management.

The following Web sites are helpful for both patients and physicians:

• The International Association for the Study of Pain special interest group on The Pain of Urogenital Origina (PUGO)
• The Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvis Pain Syndrome Network
• The The prostatitis Foundation

For excellent patient education resources, , visit eMedicine’s Men’s Health Centre, Prostate Health Centre, Cancer and Tumors Centre,
Kidneys and Urinary System Centre, Prostate Infections, Erectile Dysfunction, Bladder Cancer, Bladder Control Problems

Angela Mailis Gagnon, MD, MSc, FRCPC(PhysMed)
Director, Comprehensive Pain Program,
Senior Investigator, Krembil Neuroscience Centre
Toronto Western Hospital,
Chair ACTION Ontario www.actionontario.ca

Keywords: pain, treatment