Prostatitis in younger men

[embarassed1]

Just ordered my PS-New yesterday and thought I'd read through the boards while I'm waiting.

It looks like most of the men in the boards are in the 50+ range, but I did notice 1 other poster in their twenties.

The first urologist I saw in 2002 did a an exploratory cytouroscopy (sp?), an experience I hope never to repeat. Since then, most of the urologists I've seen just do a urinalysis and a digital, have me come back after a month of Cipro and end up putting me on a beta-blocker.

I'm only 28, and for the most part, my symptoms only get bad enough to see a doctor every 2 years. Still, it's frustrating to have to either hold up the line or wait for a stall if I want to watch a game at the arena.

Are there any other younger guys out there with similar stories?

I'm hoping the device works for me, because the thought of having to either live with this or take pills for the rest of my life is pretty depressing.

[atmeyla]

I feel like I need to respond to this, because ever since I was told I had prostatitis a year ago, I have wanted to find other young individuals suffering the same problem. I am 24 and I have always though I was way too young to have to deal with this sort of thing. But really, it's something that can affect men of all ages. I totally hear you -- the thought of taking pills forever is quite depressing... and for this condition, at our ages, I don't think it's something we should just accept.

My experience with doctors has been that they play it by the medical book (so to speak)... provide drugs, give various exams (some more intrusive than the DRE). I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so I tend to obsess about my prostatitis and worry that it's something more serious. But I snap back into being realistic -- I'm 24 years old, the doctors have never found any lumps, and an inflamed prostate can cause discomfort that radiates around that whole area. So the advise I give to myself (and now you) might go something like this...

1. Do research and make your own decisions. In my experience, the medical doctor will be limited in their understanding outside of medical exams and drugs. There are some promising alternatives (including prostate massage and other ideas presented in this forum). "Alternative medicine" seems to be able to do more with less risk (but be informed here too). I'm on the 3 month Cipro deal now and so far it's doing nothing. I'm giving it a chance but I'm concerned that I'm doing more damage than good (especially since I have irritable bowel, and now I have very little good bacteria left...)

2. Relax and have fun. This is something I have to remind myself on a regular basis. Prostatitis is inconvenient, and it's uncomfortable. It comes and goes, but over the last year it's been present most of the time. The more I think about it, the more I notice it, the more I worry about it, and the more I feel it. The whole thing seems much more manageable and much less of an issue when I'm in a good mood than when I'm stressed out. I know this is easier said than done.

I think anything I suggest you've read hundreds of times before. I occasionally hope I will cure the problem, but really I just hope to manage it enough to be comfortable and get a good sex life back (as this has also been quite impacted).

I'm sorry you have prostatitis, but I'm relieved that I'm not the only one in his 20s with this problem.

- good luck -

[frustrated1]

I'll let you know you are not alone. I have been having off and on problems with prostatitis for years and I am 26. It is extremely frustrating to see the symptoms go away only for them to come back again! I also hate to be on antibiotics seemingly constantly. there has got to be something else safe and effective! I have not tried these products, just found the website today. I have read other places that prostate massage can be dangerous too and is not advised for untrained people to practice. Have any of you spoke with your urologist about this product and doing this at home? Are you married. If so how did your wife take to this product. Not sure if mine would be too comfortable! Has the product worked for you so far? And how do you know which of the three to get! Sorry for all the questions. As I am sure all you younger guys are...I'm sick of this!

[AML]

I started with prostatitis at 28, and thought I was too young for this, I have been with 4 different urologists with same results. I am 34 now and desperate to try something different. I have read and heard a lot about prostate massage but the main issue that makes me hesitate is if the massage could be good for my condition. I have heard that a not well performed massage could release cancer cells into my body which makes me think a lot before performing a massage.

PLEASE, need a cientific explanation about this...

Tnks

[Kay]

Dear Younger Guys,

I am older than you guys and I am really sorry that you have joined this "club" at such an early age.

It is no fun...but there are worse things. So keep your chins up.

I have had my device for a year now and I find it helps when used in moderation on a regular basis.

How is your experience with the device going ?

Kay

[ozzy9832001]

Starting off, I'd say use this device each day, and preferably after a shower or some sort of yoga or anything else that can really relax you. Don't do it in the shower, because then you will be far too relaxed to actually accomplish anything.

Start small and work your way up; from experience, it can be uncomfortable at first, but with time, you will not even notice the device is in there. Get a good quality lubricant. Personally, I find the stuff HI has is very runny and gets all over the place. When in doubt, use good ole vasaline, works good and doesn't run at all. KY is ok. You do not need a deluge of the stuff, use in moderation. After about 1 month or so, the need for it will decrease, as well as the noticable benefits; it can only help so much.

If you are on antibotics, definately continue to use it, as it can help their effectiveness, also because every doctor perscribes them like candy, you may what to consider some PRObiotics, which will get your gut flora (good bacteria found in stomach, intestines, etc) back in line. They can be picked up at your local drugstore, or even bought online for a fair price ($30 USD for 1 month supply).

There are some studies that are linking low gut flora to reoccurant UTIs, prostate infections and other urinary based infections (eppiditymis, bladder and kidney) as well as IBS or other bowel retaled issues, like watery, diarreha and thin. Long courses of antibiotics are no good and can probably do more harm than good, try the probiotics, as far as I know, no studies can link them to anything harmful.

As far as the actual massage goes, I'd say spend about 20 minutes doing all the drills, then finish it off with a nice JO. Will really clean everything out. It is a good idea to try your best (though sometimes if infection is active it can hurt or burn) to pee afterwards to clean everything out. Also vitaman C or any other acids can increase the acidity of your pee making it more likely to kill any bad bacteria present.

[Guest]

Try this site for a few ideas and a lot of positive help.

http://www.prostate-massage-and-health.com/index.html

Good luck

Guest

[dannypoo]

Yeah I have an enlarged prostate and I'm 26. I found out a few years ago when I started having all sorts of adominal and flank pain. Turns out I had a kidney stone. 6 months later when it finally passed, I was still having all sorts of pain. I went back and I had no more kidney stones, but found my prostate was enlarged.

I believe all of this is due to me SITTING so much. I'm a coder/developer so it requires lots of sitting. I sat on one of the "donuts" to help relieve the pain for a while. But I find another thing that seems to make me hurt is if I'm sitting around looking at porn for like 2 hours. I think it has to do with consistantly contracting (and holding) the muscle TOO much. (I'm a picky porner... go figure)

As it turns out sometimes when I start experiencing pain, I'll notice I'm flexing my prostate because I'm tensed up because of stress.... something to think about.

[speni]

I'm 36, had this problem from about 2 years ago, when I started with pain during urination (particularly after sex).

I'm in Japan, the Dr. was awful, gave me anti-b's, and fobbed me off...waste of time, no help.

After a long time, trying anti-b's (all unsuccessful), the HI massager, and alpha-blockers (gave me retrograde ejaculation), I'm about 75% better by using the following regimen:

1. Every day, brew about 6cups of fresh green tea, put in fridge overnight, and I drink it all with breakfast (the caffeine keeps me awake if I drink it at night).
2. 3-4 days a week, I eat broccoli sprouts and 5-6 brazil nuts together (making sure to chew the sprouts), to release sulforaphane into my body (eating the 2 together make it more potent)
3. Taking daily supplements (saw palmetto, and cranberry capsules).

At first I used the massager, but recently, it is not necessary.

I have no idea which of the above above items (tea/broccoli spouts/supplements) have helped me so much, but as there has been a definite improvement since I started them, I don't wish to cut any of them out.

Another point - for me, I have more pain after sex/masturbation, but a lot of people seem to get relief from it. The blue movies have had to go in the garbage!

If you give this regimen a try, I recommend you give it at least 30-60 days minimum, as these things take time to start working, and it is something you need to do permanently, as opposed to a quick fix.

I'm also back to long distance cycling (2 trips of about 100km a week), which I had to quit before due to the prostate pain.

[bamboo]

Age 28 seems rather young to be experiencing problems with your prostate. A lot of people your age may have it, but don't realize it because it is very minimal at this age. What types of treatments has your doctor suggested will correct the Prostatitis?