If you suffer from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), you are not alone – it’s a condition that affects millions of men, most commonly aged between 35 and 45. The good news is that, depending on the cause, various therapeutic options are now available.
One proven treatment method is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT). This involves the prostate and the pelvic floor being treated from outside the body using shock waves. This therapy is simple, straightforward, can be repeated at any time, and studies have shown it to be almost free from side effects.1,2
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), also known as chronic abacterial prostatitis, is characterized by pain in the region of the pelvic floor. Other symptoms are problems with voiding the bladder (micturition problems) without any urinary tract infection being detected. Some patients also experience erectile dysfunction.
It is not yet precisely known what causes this condition to develop. Earlier inflammation of the prostate may be involved. The prostate appears to play a key role in this disorder, as do adjacent organs, nerves and muscles.
Before your doctor treats you for pelvic pain syndrome, they must first rule out all other possible diagnoses that could result in similar symptoms.
Treating CPPS
Here, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) involves applying shock waves to the prostate and the pelvic floor. In a study3 from 2009, all patients showed statistically significant improvement (compared with a placebo group) in terms of pain, quality of life and voiding conditions.
A further study2 demonstrated that ESWT is a safe and temporarily effective treatment for CPPS.
A therapy session generally lasts about 15 minutes. On average, between four and eight sessions are required, depending on severity and how the patient responds to treatment.
Sources
1Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in urology: a systematic review of outcome in Peyronie's disease, erectile dysfunction and chronic pelvic pain.
Fojecki, GL; Tiessen, S; Osther, PJ.
World J Urol. 2017 Jan;35(1):1-9.
PMID: 27108421 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
2Efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a randomized, controlled trial.
Vahdatpour, B; Alizadeh, F; Moayednia, A; Emadi, M; Khorami, MH; Haghdani, S.
ISRN Urol. 2013 Aug 28;2013:972601.
PMID: 24000311 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
3Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in males: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Zimmermann, R; Cumpanas, A; Miclea, F; Janetschek, G.
Eur Urol. 2009 Sep;56(3):418-24.
PMID: 19372000 [Indexed for MEDLINE]