Overview
Naturopathic Methods
Principal Proposed Natural Methods to Address the Symptoms of Prostatitis
by Promoting Prostate Health
Overview
Treating prostatitis usually begins with taking an antibiotic for several weeks.
If you begin to feel better, you may have to take the medication for 2 to 3 months.
If you do not get better while taking antibiotics, more tests may be done.
I. Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
Treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis is aimed at curing the infection and preventing
complications. Acute bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, pain and
fever medication, stool softeners, fluids, and rest.
- If you are unable to urinate or need intravenous antibiotics, you may be admitted
to a hospital for treatment.
- Most men recover quickly with treatment, which lasts for 3 to 4 weeks.
II. Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis is aimed at curing the infection and
preventing complications. Antibiotics are given for 6 to 12 weeks. Long-term antibiotic
treatment may be needed if the infection returns.
- Infected prostate stones (prostatic calculi) can make the infection more difficult
to cure. If present, they may need to be surgically removed.
- Surgery may be needed if urinary tract problems, such as narrowing of the bladder
neck or urethra, are causing the prostatitis.
- Surgical removal of the prostate (prostatectomy) for repeated infections is rarely
used, and only as a last resort. This surgical treatment is usually not performed
on younger men because it carries potential risks for sterility, impotence, and
incontinence.
III. Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis
Treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis or inflammatory chronic pelvic pain
syndrome may be difficult.
- Muscle relaxants and alpha-blockers may be used if muscle spasms are causing pain
or problems urinating. Medications to reduce inflammation may relieve pain.
- Massaging the prostate 3 to 4 times a week may help relieve symptoms.
- Counseling, biofeedback, acupuncture or relaxation techniques may help reduce stress
that is contributing to the pain.
- Microwave therapy (transurethral thermotherapy) may be used to heat the prostate
in an attempt to end the inflammation. Higher settings can be used to destroy the
part of the prostate that is causing pain. This is similar to treatment for benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
IV. Prostatodynia
Prostatodynia or Noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome is difficult to treat
because it is not clear what causes this form of prostatitis. The primary goal of
treatment is to relieve symptoms. Nonnarcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers,
and alpha-blockers are used.
Physical therapy, medications to reduce anxiety, exercise, massage therapy, biofeedback,
acupuncture, or stress reduction may help some men. It may be helpful to avoid alcohol,
caffeine, and spicy foods, such as hot peppers, chili, pickles, and salsa, especially
if they make your symptoms worse.
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Naturopathic Methods
The symptoms of prostatitis can be difficult to treat. Acute, chronic, or nonbacterial
prostatitis is inflammatory and/or infectious conditions that can be addressed naturally
with lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and herbal medicine, in some cases.
The key to this approach is the elimination of inflammatory agents from the diet
while supplementing with anti-inflammatory nutrients, foods, and herbs. Naturopathic
methods may be applied with antibiotics and may even improve their effectiveness.
Activity
- Activity changes do not have a prominent role in addressing the symptoms of chronic
bacterial prostatitis, although the authors often advise patients to avoid bicycling
or other activities that may put pressure on the perineal region.
- Sit in a tub of warm water with the water just covering your buttocks, or try a
sitz bath.
- The role of ejaculation in addressing the symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis
is unknown. One theory is that frequent ejaculation may help clear prostatitic secretions,
thereby allowing for quicker resolution.
Nutrition
- Eat whole, fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish
(salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel). Eating organic food helps reduce
exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and hormones.
- Avoid sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods,
and caffeine.
- Eliminate food sensitivities. Use an elimination and challenge
diet to determine food sensitivities.
- Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., if
you weigh 150 lbs, drink 75 oz of water daily).
Supplements
Supplements are intended to provide nutritional support. Because a supplement or
a recommended dose may not be appropriate for all persons, a physician (e.g., a
licensed naturopathic physician or holistic MD or DO) should be consulted before
using any product.
- Bromelain*
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Flaxseed meal
- Quercetin* (see Principal Proposed Natural Method below)
- Selenium
- Zinc*
* Prosta-Q ingredients
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicines usually do not have side effects when used appropriately and at
suggested doses. Occasionally, an herb at the prescribed dose causes stomach upset
or a headache. This may reflect the purity of the preparation or added ingredients,
such as synthetic binders or fillers. For this reason, it is recommended that only
high-quality products be used. As with all medications, more is not better and overdosing
can lead to serious illness and death.
These herbs have been used to address the symptoms of prostatitis and associated
urinary tract infections by promoting prostate health:
- Echinacea and goldenseal- Has been shown to have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
- Flower pollen extract-Follow product directions. It has been used in Europe for
over 25 years to address the symptoms of prostatitis. Flower pollen is not the same
as bee pollen.
- Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria diffusa)-Has anti-inflammatory action in the urinary
tract.
- Saw palmetto* (Serenoa repens)- May provide a tonic effect on the
prostate and the urinary tract.
* Prosta Q ingredient
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Principal Proposed Natural Method
Quercetin belongs to a class of water-soluble plant coloring agents
called bioflavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Bioflavonoids
have been investigated for a wide variety of medical uses.
A study published in 1999 suggests that quercetin may be helpful for addressing
the symptoms associated with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis
by promoting prostate health . In this double-blind trial, 30 men with fairly severe
chronic non-bacterial prostatitis were given either quercetin (500 mg twice daily)
or placebo for a month. The results showed that participants given quercetin improved
to a significantly greater extent than those in the placebo group. The greatest
gains were seen in reduction of pain.
For more information why quercetin (active ingredient of Prosta-Q) promotes prostate
health, see articles on Quercetin below:
For more information on Prosta-Q's effectivness see Clinical Use of Prosta-Q to address the symptoms associated with
Chronic Prostatitis