Body Experience of Men with Prostatosis

Abstract

Prostatosis (chronic prostatitis) is a psychosomatic clinical condition in which urological examination may show an actual swelling of the prostate, but where neither bacteria in the expressed prostatic secretions nor any other organic disease can be found. Synonyms of this condition are: prostate neurosis, prostate congestion, urogenital neurosis, autonomic urogenital syndrome, chronic recurrent prostatitis and abacterial prostatitis. Clinically, prostatosis is characterized by a micturition disorder (for example, pollakiuria, dysuria or strangury) as well as discomfort or pain in the urogenital and anal areas (for example, burning in the urethra; pain in the inguinal region, which can radiate all the way to the testicles; or pressure in the perineal area). Günthert (1983) points out that, without being asked, many patients stress the fact that they do not experience actual pain, but rather a very unpleasant, disturbing feeling. Some of them cannot even sit comfortably. Over 50% of these patients also complain about sexual disorders, such as erection difficulties or painful or premature ejaculation (Günthert 1983; Janssen et al. 1983).