Why Does It Hurt To Sit With Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and it plays a key role in producing semen. When this gland becomes inflamed, it can cause significant pain and discomfort, particularly in the pelvic region.

Types of prostatitis

There are four main types of Prostatitis:

Acute bacterial Prostatitis: A sudden bacterial infection of the prostate, often causing severe symptoms.
Chronic bacterial Prostatitis: A recurring bacterial infection of the prostate.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS): The most common form, with no clear cause but a range of pain symptoms.
Asymptomatic inflammatory Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate without noticeable symptoms.

Each type can present slightly differently, but pain when sitting is a common theme among those suffering from this condition.

Common symptoms of prostatitis

Prostatitis comes with a variety of other symptoms that can disrupt your daily life. These can include:

Pain or burning during urination
Difficulty urinating or frequent urination
Pain during ejaculation
Pain in the lower abdomen or back
Fever and chills (in cases of acute bacterial Prostatitis)

For some men, the symptoms may be mild and manageable, while for others, the condition can cause significant discomfort and distress.

How prostatitis is diagnosed

Diagnosing prostatitis can be a complex process, especially for chronic forms of the condition. Your urologist may start by asking about your symptoms, particularly the intensity and location of the pain, and whether it worsens when sitting. They might also perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the size and tenderness of the prostate.

Additional tests may include:

Urine tests to check for bacteria or infection
Prostate fluid tests to detect inflammation
Imaging tests like an ultrasound or MRI to rule out other conditions

Why it hurts to sit with prostatitis

Sitting can be particularly painful for those with Prostatitis because of the location of the prostate gland. Since the gland is situated just below the bladder and above the pelvic floor, prolonged sitting can put pressure on it, exacerbating the pain and discomfort.

For men with inflammation in the prostate, this pressure can intensify symptoms, causing sharp or dull pelvic pain, which may radiate to the lower back, groyne, or even down the legs.

The pain is often worse when sitting on hard surfaces or for extended periods. Imagine how a bruised muscle feels when pressure is applied to it. In the same way, sitting on an inflamed prostate can make symptoms much worse.

How to manage the pain when sitting

Use a cushioned seat: A soft, well-padded chair can reduce the pressure on your pelvic area. Many men find that using a doughnut-shaped cushion or memory foam seat pad can make sitting for extended periods more bearable.
Change your sitting position: Leaning forward slightly when sitting can relieve some of the pressure from your prostate. Alternating your seating position throughout the day and taking frequent breaks to stand up and move around can also help.
Avoid hard surfaces: Sitting on hard chairs or benches can exacerbate the pain. If you need to sit on a firm surface, try placing a cushion under you or standing periodically to reduce strain on the prostate.

Treatment options for prostatitis

The treatment you’ll need depends on the type of Prostatitis you have. For acute bacterial Prostatitis, antibiotics are typically prescribed, and symptoms often improve within a few days. Chronic bacterial Prostatitis may also require long-term antibiotics, though treatment can take weeks or even months.

For chronic Prostatitis or CP/CPPS, treatment is more complex, as there’s no clear bacterial cause. Some of the options include:

Alpha-blockers to relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder, easing pain and improving urinary symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.
Physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and manage discomfort.
Lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine, which can irritate the prostate.

Final notes

Living with Prostatitis can be challenging, particularly when the pain affects daily activities like sitting. However, there are ways to manage the discomfort and improve your quality of life.

Making lifestyle adjustments, seeking appropriate treatment, and finding supportive cushions or seating arrangements can go a long way in helping you stay comfortable. With the right approach, you can reduce the pain and reclaim a sense of normalcy in your life.

Maneesh Ghei

Mr Maneesh Ghei MS MRCSEd MD (UCL) FRCS (Urol) is a highly experienced Consultant Urological Surgeon and founder of Urocare London, with over three decades of practice in both NHS and private settings across the capital. As Lead Cancer Clinician at Whittington Hospital, Archway, he chairs the multidisciplinary urology cancer meeting, overseeing patient care from diagnosis through to the latest minimally invasive treatments. A pioneer in complex endourology and stone disease management, Mr Ghei led the UK’s first randomised, double-blind trial of intradetrusor botulinum toxin for refractory overactive bladder. He holds an MBBS and MS in General Surgery from India, an MD from University College London, and undertook advanced fellowships in stone disease and laparoscopic surgery, culminating in his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (Urology). Committed to education and research, he supervises doctoral work in focal therapies and cryotherapy for prostate cancer and champions public awareness through annual Movember fundraising.