What is pelvic pain?

There are a few different forms of male pelvic pain. Prostatitis (prostate inflammation), chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), and pain from problems in your internal organs or bones are the most common causes. Of the three likely reasons, prostatitis is the most common source of pelvic pain in men under the age of 50, while CPPS accounts for 90% of the pelvic pain in outpatient cases.
Since there are many causes of pelvic pain in men, it helps to understand what can cause it and what the treatments are for the conditions so you can get help if you experience pain in your pelvic region.
Symptoms of pelvic pain
Pelvic pain, as the name implies, is a pain in the pelvic region. If you're experiencing pain there, it might be accompanied by other symptoms. These symptoms can include:
- Difficult, painful, or frequent urination
- Pain in the bladder, groin, and anus areas
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Pain during ejaculation
- Problems obtaining an erection
- Chills, fever, body aches, and fatigue
- Pain in the lower back area
- No symptoms (with type IV)
- Blood in semen
- Blood in urine
Types of pelvic pain
There are four types of chronic pelvic pain syndrome accepted by medical professionals. These four are:
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome I - Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome II - Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome III - Non-bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome IV - inflamed cells in urine or prostate secretions without any other symptoms
Acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of your prostate gland accompanied by chills, fever, and pain in the lower back and groin. You might also feel fatigued and have problems urinating or with sexual activity. The second syndrome is chronic bacterial prostatitis, which is a recurring infection of the prostate. It usually has the same symptoms as acute bacterial prostatitis, but they are less intense.
If you have non-bacterial prostatitis, you won't have any of the symptoms associated with a bacterial form, such as a fever or chills. Instead, you might feel an urgency to urinate, which might be painful or burn, and experience lower back and groin pain. You may also have painful ejaculations or experience difficulties getting an erection.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate that doesn't have any symptoms. It is usually found when your doctor is running tests for other medical conditions.
Pain in the pelvic region can also result from many other types of conditions, such as:
- Urinary tract infections
- Intestinal problems
- Lower abdominal hernia
- Bone problems

SLIDESHOW
Pelvic Pain: What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain? See SlideshowCauses of pelvic pain
Bacteria is commonly the cause of acute bacterial prostatitis. The non-bacterial condition causes are generally unknown but are attributed to multiple events that can cause sensitivity in the nervous system around the pelvic region. Some conditions that might contribute to the sensitivity of the pelvic area are:
- Bicycle riding
- Past prostatitis infections
- Chemical irritation
- Sexual abuse
- Pelvic floor muscle problems
- Prostate irritation from urine backup
- Bacteria that are not common
- Psychological stress
Other causes of pelvic pain can be:
- Pain from kidney stone movement
- Infection in the urinary tract or bladder
- Problems with the lower intestines, rectum, muscles, or pelvic bones
When to see the doctor for pelvic pain
It isn't normal to experience pelvic pain unless you have done something to cause it, such as falling on your hip. If you experience any of the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain, call your doctor immediately. You should go to the emergency room immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Inability to urinate
- Fever and chills with frequent and painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Intense pain in the lower abdomen
Health News
- What Is Avascular Necrosis and How Does It Affect Bones?
- The Arch of the Human Foot Was Key to Upright Walking, Scientists Say
- Worried About Cataracts? Here's What You Need to Know
- FDA Issues Warning About Compounded Versions of Wegovy, Ozempic
- Sick Restaurant Workers Fuel Many Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
More Health News »
Diagnosing pelvic pain
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to assess any of the symptoms you describe. They will likely perform a prostate exam for inflammation through the rectum and will check your testicles and scrotum for tenderness and swelling. They will also check for any discharge from your urethra. Additionally, your doctor may want to perform some or all of the following tests:
- Prostate-specific antigen test (blood test)
- Urodynamic test
- Cystoscopy
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Transrectal ultrasound with a biopsy
- MRI or CT scan
Treatments for pelvic pain
Your doctor may refer you to a urologist specializing in the urinary tract and male reproductive organs for diagnosis and treatment. Bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, etc.), and muscle relaxers.
Nonbacterial prostatitis might be treated for a short time with antibiotics to rule out bacterial prostatitis. These would then be followed by muscle relaxers, NSAIDs, glycosaminoglycan, or neuromodulators to reduce pain in your pelvic region Your doctor may also prescribe warm baths, heat therapy, or physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic region.
Psychologically, pain can create devastating effects such as depression or a sense of hopelessness. Your doctor may also refer you to a pain management team to help you cope with the psychological and physical effects of chronic pelvic pain.
If your doctor finds other causes of pain, treatment varies with the condition. Kidney stones are usually treated with muscle relaxers and pain killers until the pain subsides. If the stones are too large to pass, the doctor might prescribe shock wave therapy to break them up. Infections are treated with antibiotics, while other pain sources have to be diagnosed with labs, imaging, or other tests to determine the cause.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medline Plus: "Prostatitis - nonbacterial."
Medline Plus: "Pelvic Pain."
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate."
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Prostate Tests."
StatPearls: "Biochemistry, Glycosaminoglycans."
University of California San Francisco: "Prostatitis (male pelvic pain)."
Top What Can Cause Pelvic Pain in Men Related Articles
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can have many causes that range from mild to severe. Some of these causes include bloating, gas, colitis, endometriosis, food poisoning, GERD, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), ovarian cysts, abdominal adhesions, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, gallbladder disease, liver disease, and cancers. Signs and symptoms of the more serious causes include dehydration, bloody or black tarry stools, severe abdominal pain, pain with no urination or painful urination. Treatment for abdominal pain depends upon the cause.How Long Does Pelvic Exenteration Take?
Pelvic exenteration is a surgical procedure performed for centrally located recurrent gynecologic cancers involving resection (removal) of all pelvic structures, including the uterus, cervix, vagina, bladder, and rectum. Pelvic exenteration is a long surgery and typically takes 8 hours or longer.Pain Management
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Some causes of neuropathic pain include:- complex regional pain syndrome,
- interstitial cystitis,
- and irritable bowel syndrome.
All About CBD Oil
Cannabidiol oil: It's made from marijuana and everyone seems to be talking about it. But what is it, and what does it really do?Pain Quiz
Is pain all in the brain? Take the Pain Quiz to learn everything you've ever wanted to know about the unpleasant sensation we call pain.Pain Management: Surprising Causes of Pain
What's causing your pain? Learn the common causes of lower back pain, as well as pain in the knee, stomach, kidney, shoulder, chest, gallbladder, heel, sciatic nerve, neck, hip, foot and other parts of the body. Find pain management tips that work to help lower pain triggers, as well as other pain treatments.What Is a Pelvic Exam?
A pelvic exam is a routine exam for women. Physicians use a pelvic exam to look for conditions in particular organs of a woman's body including the genital organs, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. Pelvic exams can evaluate several conditions. Some of these conditions include sexually-transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, Trichomonas, human papillomavirus, and Chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroid tumors, ovarian cysts, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, rectal bleeding, and endometriosis.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Quiz
What are risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and how is it spread? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of this condition.Can You Have a Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Without Having an STD?
In about 10% of cases, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may occur without having an STD. The majority of PID is sexually transmitted. The most common causative microorganisms of PID are sexually transmitted and include gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas and mycoplasma.Pelvic Pain (in Women and Men)
Pelvic pain is described as pain, usually in the lower pelvic area. Causes of acute and chronic pelvic pain in women include endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, tumors, or fibroids, ovulation, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or congestion syndrome, vulva pain, and rarely cancer. Pelvic pain during pregnancy may be caused by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy), preterm or premature labor, and placental abruption. Causes of pelvic pain in men include prostate problems, testicular pain, and groin pain. Causes of pelvic pain in men and women include kidney stones, appendicitis, UTIs, IBD, and STDs.
Signs and symptoms associated with pelvic pain depend on the cause, but man include pain during or after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, distension, and tenderness, diarrhea, constipation, vaginal discharge or bleeding, blood, pus, in the urine, cloudy urine, blood in the stool, stool color changes, and low back pain. The cause of pelvic pain is diagnosed by a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging procedures. Treatment for pelvic pain depends on the cause.
Pelvic Pain Slideshow
There are many causes of pelvic pain and pain in the lower abdomen in women. Pelvic pain near the female lower abdomen has symptoms that can be uncomfortable, but luckily, there are treatments for pelvic pain if you can identify the cause.15 Ways to Reduce Pain
Chronic pain can be a symptom of many conditions, including arthritis, headaches, and others. Comprehensive chronic pain management therapy may include physical therapy, lifestyle strategies such as exercise, diet changes, meditation, journaling, medications, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco use. Make helpful changes to manage your chronic condition.What Causes Sciatica Nerve Pain to Flare Up?
Sciatica nerve pain results from pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back to the feet. Find out more about the causes and symptoms of sciatica nerve pain.When Should You Worry About Pelvic Pain?
The pelvis houses parts of your urinary, reproductive, and digestive systems. You should worry about pelvic pain when symptoms are severe and point to a potentially urgent underlying condition.Why Do I Have Discharge From My Penis?
Penis discharge that is not due to sexual arousal is considered abnormal and may be caused by various conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), STDs, and more. Learn more about causes, types, and treatments.