Back Pain
Question Received:
Response:
I have had low back problems for 10 weeks. An MRI showed I have a bulge in my lowest disk below L5. I have found that the more frequently I ejaculate, the worse my back pain gets.
I also notice that my prostate seems swollen and sensitive after I ejaculate. Does this indicate I have a problem with my prostate?
12th July 1999
We are not able to provide you with a diagnosis - your doctor will. However, low back pain and perineal sensitivity can indeed be symptoms of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). It could be that the bulge in your L5 intervertebral disc is not the cause of the back pain you are experiencing. If your doctor comes to a diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis then prolonged antibiotic therapy will be required (Lipsky, 1999). However, nonbacterial forms of prostatitis occur and in these cases the causes are generally unknown and the symptoms are treated as required.
Reference
Lipsky, B.A. (1999) Prostatitis and urinary tract infection in men: what's new; what's true? American Journal of Medicine, 106(3), 327-334 (Mar).