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, yet there is very little understanding of the disease.
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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 10-15% of males in the US are suffering from enlarged prostate back pain.
In a study, an estimated 8.2% of males in the world suffer from prostatitis at some point in their lives. There are many kinds of prostatitis, but 90-95% of the cases are of chronic prostatitis or enlarged prostate back pain.
Is there any link between enlarged prostate 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, 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, which can cause 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
Lower back pain and enlarged prostate issues are common symptoms of various ailments. Hence, if you are experiencing pain in your lower back, you must consult a healthcare professional. Sometimes, it can turn out to be enlarged prostate back pain.
Read further to learn about the symptoms and determine 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 a full bladder
- Sudden urge to pass urine
- Inability to urinate or Urinary retention
- Blood in the urine
Can stress exacerbate back pain associated with an enlarged prostate?
Stress and an enlarged prostate can seem two very different illnesses. But they are very much interconnected. The relationship between stress and an 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. It also leads to a decrease in zinc levels in your body. Zinc is a very important element for the prostate gland, which is found in it more than any other gland of the body. A deficiency of zinc in the prostate gland causes prostate gland enlargement, which 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. 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 relax 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 strengthen 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?
Several lifestyle changes 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, which may alleviate 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 strengthen the muscles around the prostate gland. This may improve urination flow and control 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 good posture can help reduce the strain on your back, which might reduce back pain.
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 and mild lifestyle changes.
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 mentioned above take several days or 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 empty the bladder fully. This increases the risk of UTIs and causes pain and discomfort.
- In severe cases, it can cause urinary retention. Not being able to empty the bladder fully 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 back pain recurs after treatment.
After additional testing and physical examination, if prostate enlargement is the cause of back pain, then you have to start the treatment again.
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
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-and-back-pain
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostatitis/
FAQs
1. Can an enlarged prostate cause back and leg pain?
Yes, an enlarged prostate can cause back and leg pain due to the pressure it exerts on surrounding nerves, leading to discomfort in these areas.
2. Can an enlarged prostate cause lower back pain?
Yes, enlarged prostate often leads to lower back pain, which is a common symptom of prostate enlargement, affecting the lower back due to pressure on the surrounding tissues.
3. How is benign prostatic hyperplasia back pain treated?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia back pain is treated through medications, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery, depending on the symptoms and severity.
