If you are a male experiencing pelvic pain, its important that you see your healthcare provider promptly.
This article looks at some of the most common causes of pelvic pain in men.
It also discusses how pelvic pain is diagnosed and treated and when you should see a healthcare provider.
mediaphotos / Getty Images
Causes of Male Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain affects the lower abdomen or buttocks.
Male pelvic pain can have varying characteristics depending on the cause and its severity.
Pain may be very localized or spread throughout a large area.
Prostatitis
Prostatitisis inflammation of theprostate gland.
An infection can cause sudden, or acute, cases.
Chronic prostatitis, on the other hand, is usually triggered by inflammation, oftenwithoutan infection.
In addition to pelvic pain, prostatitis may cause urinary problems or problems with ejaculation.
When a bacterial infection is not the cause of prostatitis, the condition is known by several names.
It can even occur without an identifiable cause.
Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion can cause severe pelvic pain.
While uncommon, it is a medical emergency.
Surgical treatment is necessary, and a delay could cause loss of the affected testicle.
But if you develop new or worsening pelvic pain, you should see a healthcare provider.
You may also need a blood test,urinalysis, and/or imaging.
Your physical examination will includepalpation (touching and gentle pressure)in the area of your pain.
A hernia can usually be identified on a physical examination.
A blood test can also be used to detectprostate-specific antigen (PSA), which may indicate prostate cancer.
However, the results of a PSA test do not necessarily rule prostate cancer in or out.
You might need pain control as well as management of your underlying medical issue.
Each cause of pelvic pain requires its own approach.
For example, antibiotics are needed if you have a bacterial infection.
Kidney stones may be treated by drinking lots of fluids, or with lithotripsy or surgical removal if necessary.
Tumors may require surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Summary
Male pelvic pain can have many possible causes.
Some common causes of pelvic pain in men include prostatitis, enlarged prostate, and hernias.
Less common causes include testicular torsion and certain kinds of cancer.
See a healthcare provider any time you have new pelvic pain.
Lab tests and imaging tests can help your healthcare provider confirm a diagnosis.
Bharucha AE, Lee TH.Anorectal and pelvic pain.Mayo Clin Proc.
2014;9(4):e94991.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0094991
UCSF Department of Urology.Prostatitis (male pelvic pain).
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Prostatitisnonbacterial.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Inguinal hernia.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Femoral hernia.
2019;23(4):825-834. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2019.05.021
Urology Care Foundation.What is testicular torsion?.
American Cancer Society.Screening tests for prostate cancer.
Lakhoo J, Khatri G, Elsayed RF, et al.MRI of the male pelvic floor.Radiographics.
2019;39(7):2003-2022. doi.10.1148/rg.2019190064
American Urological Association.Pelvic and bladder pain.
2024;17:4257-4275. doi:10.2147/JIR.S458132
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Tamsulosin.
2018;5:CD012551.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012551.pub3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: primary prevention methods.
National Kidney Foundation.Can dehydration affect your kidneys?.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.
2015;116(4):509-525. doi:10.1111/bju.13101
