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About Arthur Goldstein, M.D.
Expertise
Any problems or questions related to the field of urology; ie urinary stone disease, urinary cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, etc.), urinary infections, impotency, etc.
Experience
I am retired from the active practice of urology. My 34 years was totally in the clinical field and involved the entire gamut of genitourinary problems, with special interest in male impotence and endourology.
Organizations
American Medical Association, American Urological Association, American College of Surgeons
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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Urology > Urology > Prostate
Expert: Arthur Goldstein, M.D.
Date: 9/27/2008
Subject: Prostate
Question
Hello I am a 32 year old male and I have a prostate question...
I had some testicle pain, and pain in the groin area and the area from under the scrotum to the anus hurts as well The hip and back. This has been getting worst for 3 months now and it got to a point were I had to go to the hospital. The doc there thinks infection but want to get an ultra sound test done...
The test results are not in... but I do know that after emptying my Bladder the technician said there was still a lot of urine left in the bladder more than half...
I am on antibiotics but things are not improving... and the Docs are worried about my ESR which was extremely high they said... it was 68.8
Question is can the prostate raise that number like that?
What is the significance of the Urine in the bladder?
With all the symptoms of Prostate Cancer except for blood in the urine and still waiting for the PSA test results... can a 32 year old get prostate cancer???
Thanks for your time...
Answer
Michael, by far the most likely cause of you symptoms is an inflammation of the prostate gland, so called prostatitis. Excessive urine in the bladder after urinating (residual urine) can occur from a number of conditions, the most common being swelling of the prostate gland. At age 32, almost always this is from prostatitis while in older men it is from benign growth of the prostate (BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia). Prostate cancer can occur at age 32 but this is extremely rare. In the face of prostatitis, the PSA is of no value as inflammation of the gland will often elevate the PSA. If the PSA is normal this is fine but if elevated, I would merely repeat this 6 weeks after the prostatitis is resolved and it should return to normal. The ESR can be elevated from any type of inflammation in the body and is not specific for any particular disease. I personally find it of minimal value. You really should see a urologist in consultation so that a correct diagnosis can be established and treatments instituted. To follow is a "macro" I have written on prostatitis that should explain the condition to you more completely:
The most common cause of these complaints is an inflammation of the prostate gland, so called prostatitis. Symptoms that might occur with prostatitis include frequency of urination, slowing of the urinary stream, burning with voiding or ejaculation, burning in the penile tip unrelated to voiding, urethral discharge, sexual dysfunction (such as difficulty with erection), aching in the penis, testicles, and discomfort in the lower abdomen, low back, groin, rectum or perineum (the area between the scrotum and rectum – between the “wind and the rain”) and constipation. The passage of blood at the initiation or termination of urination or in the semen can also be noted. During sexual arousal the prostate gland & seminal vesicles manufactures fluid that account for the majority of the semen. The seminal vesicles are paired structures located behind the prostate gland that are also sensitive to sexual excitement. Sperm from the testicles (which account for only 1-2 % of the semen) travel up a series of tubes (epididymis and vas deferens) on each side to join the seminal vesicles forming the paired ejaculatory ducts. These structures empty into the prostatic portion of the urethra. At the time of ejaculation, fluid is discharged from the prostate gland and ejaculatory ducts into the urethra (urinary canal) forming the semen. The average semen volume is 2-6 cc. With the inception of ejaculation, the bladder neck closes and the semen is forced forward out the urethra by contraction of the pelvic muscles. It is not uncommon for inflammation and/or infection to spread in a retrograde manner into the vas and epididymis. Even without such spread, prostatic discomfort is often referred into the testicle. Too frequent or too infrequent ejaculation, sexual arousal without ejaculation, withdraw at the time of ejaculation, aggressive bike or horse back riding, and excessive spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine in the diet can predispose you to this. Sitting for long periods of time, especially in an automotive vehicle, can put undo pressure on the prostate and aggravate the condition. For the latter, it is best not to sit more than 2-3 hours at a time. Stop the vehicle periodically, take a short walk and go to the bathroom to urinate. A thick pad or piece of sponge rubber on your seat will also help to cushion the prostate. One should avoid any of the above that apply. Eliminating all of these factors that apply to you are just as important, if not more so, than taking medication! Ejaculation beyond the tolerance of the prostate to fill and empty may also cause discomfort. Likewise if one does so infrequently, fluid still builds up from thoughts, dreams, fantasies, etc. and has to be released periodically to decompress the gland and relieve the symptoms. For most men, ejaculation in moderation, perhaps 1-2 times a week, is reasonable. A daily warm bath for 10-15 minutes 1-2 times daily also lessens the discomfort. Attention to sexual activity and warm bathes should be utilized regardless of the type of prostatitis and whether or not medications are prescribed.
There are several types of prostatitis. Sometimes prostatitis can be due to an infection of the gland with bacteria. Typically, pus cells and bacteria are found in the prostatic fluid. The infection usually requires an initial 4 week course of an appropriate antibiotic (the commonest prescribed are the fluoroquinolones, but tetracyclines, sulfas and other agents can also work).
Abacterial prostatitis has several varieties. In one, the prostatic fluid demonstrates pus cells but no bacteria. In the other, there are neither pus cells nor bacteria in the fluid, just the symptoms. In all types of prostatitis, the urinalysis generally is normal unless the infection spreads into the bladder. Abacterial prostatitis is an elusive entity that has been called by a variety of names including nonbacterial prostatitis, prostadynia, pelvic congestion syndrome and most recently pelvic myoneuropathy. The latter name was coined by Dr. David Wise of Stanford. He believes that this may represent up to 95% of all cases of prostatitis. This variant may be an expression of interstitial cystitis and possibly is due to autoimmune or neurogenic factors. Dr. Wise suggests that the primary cause of the symptoms involves pelvic muscle spasm, nerve trigger points and some degree of anxiety (either the cause or result of the symptoms). His therapy involves the use of anti-depressents (we have used Elavil for years in refractory patients), relaxation techniques, trigger point physiotherapy, and biofeedback. Some others recommend Yoga & meditation as being useful. Although he may well prove to be correct, I generally recommend an initial course of antibacterial therapy for patients who clinically have symptomatic prostatitis of any variety. The majority of patients (even those with nonbacterial prostatitis) seem to respond favorably. It has been know for decades that many patients with the abacterial variety of prostatitis do well with antibiotics but the reason has been vague. Some theorized that they may harbor bacteria in the tissues of the prostate that are not being picked up in cultures (possibly walled off loci of infection). For more information on Dr. Wise's studies check out:
http://www.pelvicpainhelp.com/
In my experience, symptoms usually responds to the general measures mentioned in the initial paragraph. Medications that sometimes help include the over-the-counter natural supplement saw palmetto 320 mgm daily and alpha-blockers (such as Flomax, Hytrin, Cardura & Uroxatral). The latter require a prescription from you physician if he thinks it is indicated.
Prostatitis may also be classified as acute (severe), subacute (mild), or asymptomatic. It may also occur as a single episode, be recurrent or chronic. In chronic bacterial prostatitis, long term low dose antibacterial therapy often works well in suppressing symptoms. In refractory cases, culture of the prostatic fluid or semen often will disclose the offending bacteria. If found, sensitivity studies can identify which antibiotics are most likely to eliminate that particular germ.
In other cases refractory to treatment, there is another condition that can produce similar symptoms. This disorder is ejaculatory duct obstruction. Usually the doctor will find the seminal vesicles to be very swollen on rectal examination. The patient will notice either absence or a markedly diminished semen volume. The diagnosis is made by doing a transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and seminal vesicles.
Therefore, if symptoms persist, consultation with a urologist should be scheduled. In cases with recurrent prostatitis or hematuria, it often is necessary to study the urinary tract more completely. Predisposing factors to prostatitis such as a urethral stricture (narrowing) and other disorders can then be evaluated. A man should learn to listen to his body. Good luck.
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