Enlarged prostate or benign Prostatic hyperplasia is a common issue as men grow older. The prostate gland in men, situated below the bladder, grows bigger as they age.
The enlarged prostate causes discomfort while urinating and kidney, bladder, or urinary tract problems.
Enlarged prostate back pain, also called chronic prostatitis. It can be the cause of pain in the lower back, groin, or at the penis tip.
This is the most common type of prostate issue that men under the age of 50 years face frequently. Chronic prostatitis is the third most common issue faced by men above the age of 50.
Enlarged prostate back pain is the commonest form of prostatitis, yet there is very least understanding of the disease.
According to research by NIDDK, about 2 million men are diagnosed with enlarged prostate back pain in the US annually. Men in any age group can be affected by this. Almost 10 to 15 percent of males in the US are suffering from enlarged prostate back pain.
In a study, an estimated 8.2 percent of males in the world suffer from prostatitis at some point in their lives. There are many kinds of prostatitis, but 90 to 95 percent of the cases are of chronic prostatitis or enlarged prostate back pain.
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Is there any link between prostate enlargement and back pain? Read ahead to find out!
Can an Enlarged prostate cause back pain?
Yes, an enlarged prostate can cause back pain. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. It is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. When the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it can put pressure on the urethra. This causes difficulty with urination and other symptoms such as pain and discomfort in the lower back.
The back pain caused by an enlarged prostate is often felt in the lower back and may be accompanied by other symptoms. Those symptoms can be:
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Weak urine stream
- Frequent urination during the night
- The feeling of incomplete urine
Back pain is a common symptom of various ailments. Hence, it is necessary to get a consultation with a urologist in the best hospital if you are experiencing pain in your lower back. Sometimes it can turn out to be enlarged prostate back pain.
Read further to learn about the symptoms and analyze, if it’s time for you to consult a doctor!
What are the other symptoms of an enlarged prostate causing back pain?
Along with back pain, an enlarged prostate can cause various other symptoms. These may include:
- Frequent urination during the night
- Difficulty in initiating urination
- Weak flow of urine
- Dribbling after urination
- A feeling of an unempty bladder
- Sudden urge to pass urine
- Inability to urinate or Urinary retention
- Blood in the urine
Does stress cause back pain to increase? Continue reading to find out!!
Can stress exacerbate back pain associated with an enlarged prostate?
Stress and enlarged prostate can seem two very different illnesses. But they are very much interconnected.
The relationship between stress and enlarged prostate appears to be a deadly circle. One leads to another and vice versa.
When you feel more stressed, the enlarged prostate back pain worsens, or, when your enlarged prostate back pain increases you feel more stressed.
Stress causes your muscles to tense. Stress also leads to a decrease in zinc levels in your body. Zinc is a very important element for the prostate gland. Zinc is found in the prostate gland more than any other gland of the body. A deficiency of zinc in the prostate gland causes prostate gland enlargement. This causes enlarged prostate back pain. Hence, stress can worsen prostate gland enlargement further exacerbating the back pain.
During stress, the body starts releasing DHT and testosterone in the body. Excess of these hormones causes prostate gland enlargement. Also, adrenaline released during stressful situations can cause constriction in the bladder and prostate muscles. This worsens the enlarged prostate back pain in men.
To know how you can manage back pain, continue reading!!
How to manage back pain caused by an enlarged prostate?
Depending upon the severity of symptoms and the underlying cause of the prostate enlargement. There are various ways to manage enlarged prostate back pain:
- The doctor may prescribe medications like Alpha-blockers or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. These medications help in relaxing the prostate gland muscles and improve urinary flow.
- Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing enlarged prostate back pain. These include reducing fluid intake before bed and avoiding alcohol or caffeine, which can help in alleviating back pain.
- Physical therapy can help in strengthening the muscles around the prostate gland and reduce back pain.
- Sometimes the doctor may also suggest minimally invasive procedures to reduce the pain. The procedures can be like transurethral resection of the prostate, or laser therapy to remove excess prostate tissue to improve urine flow and back pain.
- When the situation becomes severe, the doctor might recommend surgery to remove the prostate gland.
Does changing your lifestyle really help? Find out about it below!
What lifestyle changes can help manage enlarged prostate back pain?
There are several lifestyle changes that can help manage back pain caused by an enlarged prostate:
- Reduce fluid intake before bed: Limiting fluid intake a few hours before bedtime can help reduce the frequency of nighttime urination. This may help in alleviating back pain.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can irritate the bladder and worsen urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, including back pain.
- Ensure to have a diet that is low in fats.
- Include a variety of vegetables in your diet.
- Eat fruits regularly, especially citrus fruits.
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Can exercise help with back pain caused by an enlarged prostate?
Yes, exercise can help to manage enlarged prostate back pain.
- Regular exercise helps in reducing inflammation and improves circulation. It helps in reducing back pain.
- Exercise helps in strengthening the muscles around the prostate gland. This may help in improving urination flow and controlling back pain.
- Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight can significantly help in managing enlarged prostate back pain in the long term.
- Also, maintaining a good posture can help in reducing the strain on your back, which might help in back pain reduction.
How long does it take for treatment to improve back pain caused by an enlarged prostate?
The amount of time required for the treatment to reduce enlarged prostate back pain depends upon the severity of symptoms. It also depends upon the treatment approach that is used.
Some men can feel the improvement within 3 to 7 days of starting the medications along with mild changes in their lifestyle.
On the other hand, in some men, it takes a longer time to see the improvement. In rare cases, they may have to go through surgery to alleviate the pain.
The medications that are mentioned above take several days or sometimes weeks until you can see some improvements. Surgery like transurethral resection of the prostate can bring about immediate relief.
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What happens if back pain is not treated because of an enlarged prostate?
It is very important to get enlarged prostate back pain treated on time. If left untreated it causes other serious ailments. The potential risks of leaving it untreated are mentioned below:
- Urinary tract infections- The prostate gland enlarges and puts pressure on the urethra and bladder, As a result, it becomes difficult to fully empty the bladder. This increases the risk of UTIs and causes pain and discomfort.
- In severe cases, it can cause urinary retention. Not being able to fully empty the bladder may lead to issues like bladder stones or kidney damage.
- In some cases, an enlarged prostate can lead to sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems.
What happens if enlarged prostate back pain relapses after treatment?
Even after the treatment, in some cases, the prostate may continue to grow and cause back pain. While in some other cases, it may arise due to any other underlying issue.
Hence it is very important to consult a doctor immediately if there is a relapse in back pain after the treatment.
After additional testing and physical examination, if prostate enlargement is the cause of back pain then you have to again start the treatment.
Treatment options for recurrent back pain associated with an enlarged prostate may include medications, physical therapy, or other interventions such as minimally invasive procedures or surgery.
So, what are you waiting for? Your well-being is our priority - call us to book your appointment today
Reference-
https://www.healthline.com/health/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-and-back-pain
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostatitis/
