How Much Pain Might I Have
Some men have no pain at all. Men who do have pain experience different levels of pain. Some men only feel mild discomfort and are able to carry out their daily activities as normal, but other men find that the pain affects their daily lives.
Only you can describe how your pain feels. Another man with advanced prostate cancer may not feel pain in the same way. So predicting how much pain you might have is difficult, as it varies from man to man.
How much pain you have will depend on several things, including:
- where the pain is
- how soon your doctor or nurse can help you manage the pain
- finding the right pain relief for you
- taking the right amount of pain-relieving drugs at the right times
- how tired you feel
- how well you feel in general
- if you feel anxious
When To Get Medical Advice
They’ll ask about the problems you’re having and examine your tummy.
You may also have a rectal examination. This is where a doctor inserts a gloved finger into your bottom to feel for anything unusual. You may have some discomfort during this examination if your prostate is swollen or tender.
Your urine will usually be tested for signs of infection, and you may be referred to a specialist for further tests to rule out other conditions.
See a GP straight away if you get sudden and severe symptoms of prostatitis.
You may have acute prostatitis, which needs to be assessed and treated quickly because it can cause serious problems, such as suddenly being unable to pee.
If you have persistent symptoms , you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in urinary problems .
What Causes Prostatitis Vs Bph
The cause of BPH or enlarged prostate is a benign growth that enlarges the prostate gland. Researchers do not know exactly what causes the gland to enlarge, but they have speculated that it might be related to hormonal changes as men age.
In men under the age of 35, the most common type of prostatitis is acute bacterial prostatitis, while in older patients non-bacterial prostatitis is the most common type. There are four types or syndromes of prostatitis.
- Type I – Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Type II – Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Type III –Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome
- Type IV – is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
The cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is bacteria that may be present in the urethra and then infect the prostate gland. Chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs because of inadequate treatment or because of a structural/functional problem in the urinary tract. Researchers and doctors do not completely understand the cause of chronic prostatitis, but it is speculated that the cause may be initiated by neurological injury and/or related to infection.
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Does Everyone With Advanced Prostate Cancer Have Pain
No, not all men with advanced prostate cancer will have pain. Men who do have pain may experience different levels of pain at different times, and pain may vary from person to person.
Pain is more common in men whose cancer has spread to their bones. If the cancer has spread to several places in your body, you might not get pain in all of these places.
With the right treatment and management, pain can usually be relieved or reduced. Tell your doctor or nurse if youre in pain or your pain relief isnt working well. They will be able to help.
Dr Roach: Could Back Or Hip Pain Be The Result Of Taking Finasteride
Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 82-year-old male. I have been taking finasteride and tamsulosin for two years now for enlarged prostate. Since December 2021, I started having lower back pain and hip pain when walking. Aside from both high blood pressure and cholesterol, for which I take medications, I am in good shape. I walk 3 to 4 miles per day and do stationary bike plus all house/garden repairs, including snow removal. My question is: Could the back and hip pain be the result of taking finasteride? According to the information on this drugs side effects, it can cause prostate cancer with lower back and hip pain. My urologist said that is not correct, that new research has shown that is not true, and it is perfectly safe to take. What is your opinion?
T.X.
Dear T.X.: Finasteride blocks the enzyme that converts regular testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. DHT is one of the major causes of prostate enlargement and hair loss, so finasteride is an effective treatment for both conditions. No medicine, unfortunately, is perfectly safe, but the most common serious side effects of finasteride are sexual troubles, such as erectile dysfunction or loss of libido, occurring in about 1.5% of men who take it.
Dear Dr. Roach: My mother-in-law just had what they thought was a TIA, but her MRI was normal. What does that mean?
D.L.G.
Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu.
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Are Prostatitis And Bph The Same Prostate Gland Problem
The answer to this question is yes and no, because both may have some similar health symptoms , but each prostate problem has different causes. Yes, BPH is by definition an enlarged prostate, and no, because the cause is not an infection/inflammation like prostatitis. However, not all enlarged prostates are due to BPH. An enlarged prostate may be caused by BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
The Dangers Of The Untreated Enlarged Prostate Gland To Back Pain
While most cases of BPH dont cause any serious health problems, its important to get it treated if youre experiencing back pain. Left untreated, BPH can lead to other more serious health problems, such as:
Urinary retention: This is when the bladder cant empty properly, leading to a build-up of urine. This can cause infection and even damage to the kidneys.
Bladder stones: These are hard, calcified deposits that can form in the bladder due to a build-up of urine. They can cause pain and difficulty urinating.
Here are the rest of the benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms.
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What Questions Might My Doctor Or Nurse Ask About My Pain
Your doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your pain to try to get as much information about it as possible. This will help them work out the best treatment for you. They might ask you the following questions.
- Where is your pain?
- What does it feel like? For example, is it a stabbing pain, or a dull ache?
- When did the pain start? How often do you get it? How long does it last?
- Does it wake you at night?
- Does anything help?
- Have you tried any pain-relieving medicines? Did they help?
- Does anything make it worse?
- How does your pain make you feel? For example, do you feel anxious or depressed? Does this affect the pain?
- How does the pain affect your daily life?
Keeping a diary to record your pain and the medicines you take might help you describe the pain to your doctor or nurse. It may also help them work out what might help manage it. You can use our diary to record your pain
Your doctor or nurse may also examine you to see if there is an obvious physical reason for your pain. This will help them decide whether you need any tests or scans, such as a blood test, X-ray, bone scan, MRI scan or CT scan. Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about the tests you might need.
How Common Is Prostate Cancer
About one in nine men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer affecting males. Close to 200,000 American men receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer every year. There are many successful treatments and some men dont need treatment at all. Still, approximately 33,000 men die from the disease every year.
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Medication For Urinary Problems
Your doctor may suggest various medications to help ease your urinary problems, including:
- medications to reduce the tone of the muscles of the urethra and prostate to minimise any constriction to urine flow caused when these muscles contract
- medication to reduce the size of the prostate gland. These medications work by blocking the action of male hormones produced by the prostate gland
- medications to relax the bladder, making unwanted contractions less likely and reducing the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination
- the over-the-counter preparation saw palmetto is sometimes used. This may help some men, especially if frequent urination at night is a problem.
However, recent reviews of the evidence for using saw palmetto as a treatment for mild or moderate urinary symptoms did not show any improvement, compared to no treatment, in men with BPH.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Enlarged Prostate
Most men with prostatitis will have a persistent form of the disease, where symptoms come and go for at least three months.
Possible symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:
- pain in the pelvis, genitals, lower back and buttocks
- pain when urinating
- difficulty urinating, such as problems starting or ‘stop-start’ urination
- pain when ejaculating, which may contribute to erectile dysfunction
- discomfort in the perineal area
The symptoms may vary from day to day: some days they may be particularly troublesome, on other days they may be mild or almost non-existent.
Sometimes you may also experience tiredness, joint pain, muscle pain and a high temperature.
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Treatments For Prostate Cancer Spread To Bones
If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it nearly always goes to the bones first. Bone metastasis can be painful and can cause other problems, such as fractures , spinal cord compression , or high blood calcium levels, which can be dangerous or even life threatening.
If the cancer has grown outside the prostate, preventing or slowing the spread of the cancer to the bones is a major goal of treatment. If the cancer has already reached the bones, controlling or relieving pain and other complications is also a very important part of treatment.
Treatments such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and vaccines may help with this, but other treatments specifically target bone metastasis and the problems it may cause.
Causes And Related Problems
Nerve irritation or compression in the lower back most often cause sciatica. Back painis also common. Two other problems, herniated disc and spinal stenosis, may also play a role:
Doctors may order MRIs or EMGs to learn more. They may also recommend medicine, physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgery.
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Suggestions For Keeping Ones Back Healthy
Exercise regularly to keep muscular tissues solid as well as flexible. Get in touch with a doctor for a list of low-impact, age-appropriate exercises that are specifically targeted to strengthening lower back as well as abdominal muscles.
Keep a healthy weight and consume a nutritious diet plan with an adequate everyday consumption of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to advertise new bone growth.
Usage ergonomically made furniture and tools in your home and at the workplace. Make sure work surfaces are at a comfy height.
Switch sitting positions commonly as well as periodically walk the workplace or carefully stretch muscles to alleviate tension. A cushion or rolled-up towel put behind the small of the back can offer some back assistance. Place your feet on a reduced stool or a pile of publications when sitting for a very long time.
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> > > This Simple Morning Test Will Fix Your Prostate
Another type of prostate issue is chronic prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This condition causes pain in the lower back and groin area, and may cause urinary retention. Symptoms include leaking and discomfort. In severe cases, a catheter may be required to relieve the symptoms. If the problem is unresponsive to other treatments, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. If these do not work, your symptoms could progress and become chronic.
An acute bacterial infection can cause a burning sensation. Inflammation of the prostate can affect the bladder and result in discomfort and other symptoms. This is the most common urinary tract problem in men under 50, and the third most common in men over 65. The symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are similar to those of CPPS. Patients may experience a fever or chills as a result of the infection.
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Can Back Pain Be A Symptom Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer cells may spread to a persons bones.
There can be a connection between back pain and prostate cancer, but back pain alone is not necessarily a sign of the disease.
In advanced prostate cancer, cancer cells spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body. These cells usually spread to the bones first, and doctors refer to this as bone metastasis.
If prostate cancer spreads to the bones, it most often reaches the spine, ribs, and hips. This occurs in stage 4 prostate cancer, and it can cause pain. According to ZERO, an advocacy group, bone metastases will affect more than 60 percent of men with advanced prostate cancer.
Individuals with chronic back pain that has no obvious cause should see a physician for an evaluation.
Early Signs Of Prostate Cancer
There are no warning signs of early prostate cancer. You canât feel the growing tumor pushing against anything else, so thereâs no pain. You can have the disease for years and not know it. Thatâs why regular prostate cancer screenings are so important.
If youâre a Black man, early screening for prostate cancer is particularly important as youâre 2.5 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than your non-Hispanic white peers. In a large study by JAMA Oncology, results pointed to factors such as access to quality health care as to why this may be the case.
If youâre nonbinary or gender expansive, you should still be aware of potential risks of prostate cancer, particularly for transgender women. Significant studies are lacking, but it is still possible to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. So screening, especially if you have symptoms or a family history of cancer, could be a helpful decision.
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Prostate Cancer And Back Pain: Is It A Symptom
Back pain is something that most of us will experience during various parts of our lives.
However, if you are experiencing severe and long-lasting back pain, this may be a symptom of metastatic prostate cancer.
If an aggressive form of prostate cancer occurs, which is more prevalent in younger prostate cancer patients, cancer can spread to the bones.
This article will be discussing the relationship between advanced prostate cancer and back pain.
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Can Prostatitis And Bph Be Cured
The prognosis for BPH for most patients that undergo treatment is good to fair, depending upon how well patients respond. BPH that requires surgery may result in complications such as erectile dysfunction. The prognosis for patients with more severe BPH symptoms that require surgery and medication for symptom relief is fair. There is no cure for BPH.
Most men with prostatitis may have significant symptom relief, and most men can be cured with long-term appropriate antibiotic treatments. The prognosis for prostatitis ranges from good to fair because some patients tend to have recurrent bouts of the condition.
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Managing Other Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Other prostate cancer symptoms can include:
Loss of libido . Side effects of drug treatments for prostate cancer can cause a loss of interest in sex and erection problems. A common treatment for prostate cancer is hormone therapy, which is used to slow your body down from making testosterone, the male hormone. Your doctor may recommend you do hormone therapy off and on to lessen the side effects of these medications.
To manage a loss of libido with prostate cancer, you can:
- Ask your doctor about breaks with your hormone therapy treatment, or only restart treatment when your prostate-specific antigen levels begin to rise
- Talk to your doctor about drug treatment for erection problems
- Seek advice from a sex counselor or therapist
- Talk with your partner about loss of libido
- Keep a healthy diet and stay active
Depression. News of cancer can be understandably difficult for you and your loved ones. Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, it isnât unusual for you to experience depression and other emotional side effects. Because stress is often another side effect of depression, depression in cancer patients has been linked to shorter survival times.
To manage the effects of depression, it can be helpful to:
- Join a support group for those with prostate cancer or in recovery
- Talk to your doctor about changes in your mood and feelings
- Talk to loved ones about what you are experiencing
- Try to remain active
To manage your thinking and memory, you can try to:
Treatments To Help Control Your Cancer
If your prostate cancer treatment is not working as well as it was, trying a different treatment for your cancer may help the pain. These treatments can all cause side effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about the possible side effects or read more about them in our other fact sheets and booklets. You can also speak to our Specialist Nurses.
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Other Drugs For Relieving Pain
There are other types of drugs that can also be used to help treat pain. Which ones you are prescribed will depend on what is causing your pain.
Your doctor might suggest drugs that can also be used to treat other health problems. For example, drugs that can be used to manage epilepsy or depression can help with nerve pain. If your doctor prescribes anti-depressants or anti-epileptics for your pain, it does not mean they think you are depressed or have epilepsy. Different doses of these drugs are usually needed to treat depression or epilepsy.
A type of cream called capsaicin cream can also be used to help with nerve pain if you find it difficult to take tablets. A pain-numbing skin patch, such as a lidocaine patch, can also be used on painful areas.
Antibiotics can be prescribed if your pain is caused by an infection.
Muscle relaxants can also be used if you have muscle spasms. Muscle spasms can be painful or make other pain worse.
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about possible side effects before you start taking any new medicines.
Steroids
If your cancer has spread to the bones it could cause swelling and press on the nerves in the bone, causing pain. Steroids can help to reduce swelling around the cancer, and so reduce the pain. You might be able to take steroids in combination with pain-relieving drugs and other types of treatment. Lower doses of steroids can also be used to treat the cancer itself.