Prostate Surgery & Pain
There are many reasons that you may need prostate surgery, including an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. While you may be nervous about prostate surgery because of the painful side effects, it is important to remember that most pain is minimal. In addition, your healthcare provider can offer relief through prescription medication.
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The Prostate
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Your prostate is small gland present in men to aid in reproduction. It sits at the opening of the male urethra and secretes a nutrients-containing liquid during ejaculation. This liquid mixes with the semen and helps them survive longer in the vagina. Even though the prostate gland is present at birth in males, it does not develop until puberty. The production of male hormones like testosterone causes the prostate gland to continue growing until about age 20. After 40, the prostate gland begins to grow again, putting you at risk for infection, prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate.
Prostate Pain Symptoms
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Many prostate conditions have painful symptoms. Enlarged prostates can cause urinary tract infection and make urination painful. Painful urination is also a sign of prostatitis, or a prostate infection. Prostate infections can cause pain and burning during ejaculations. In some cases, pain in your lower back or pelvis can also indicate a prostate problem, such as prostate cancer. While pain is never fun, these painful symptoms are actually helpful to the extent that they spur a sufferer to get proper diagnosis and treatment. You cannot see your prostate and so it is hard to tell if it is inflamed, swollen or lumpy. Painful symptoms are often what make you seek treatment.
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Prostate Biopsy Pain
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A prostate biopsy is a type of prostate surgery in which a healthcare provider, typically a proctologist consulted about your symptoms, removes portions of prostate tissue to test for cancer. A prostate biopsy requires anesthesia and sedation, but you will be awake during the procedure. Pain is minimal. You may feel a slight sting when you are injected with anesthesia or sedatives. You may also feel dull pressure as the doctor inserts objects or fingers into your anus and penis. The most pain is from either the incision or the biopsy needles used to collect tissue. Follow-up pain is rare, but mild if it does occur. Your provider may suggest an over-the-counter painkiller.
Pain from Laser Prostate Surgery
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Another type of prostate surgery is called laser prostate surgery. It is performed to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate by removing tissue that is blocking urine flow. There are several types of lasers and procedures for this type of surgery, depending on the size and location of the prostate enlargement. This procedure is minimally invasive but you will receive some type of anesthesia. There is no pain during the procedure but you may be sore for a few weeks after. Most patients will receive a prescription for painkillers for the first few days.
Prostatectomy Pain
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A prostatectomy is the removal of the entire or parts of the prostate to ease the symptoms of an enlarged prostate or to remove cancerous cells. There are several types of prostatectomy, including transurethral prostatectomy, perineal prostatectomy and pubic prostatectomy. The type of surgery depends on whether the surgeon enters through the urethra, the perineum or the lower abdomen. You will not feel pain during the surgery because you will be anesthetized but afterward there will be some pain as the incisions heal. Your surgeon or primary care physician will prescribe prescription painkillers and advise you to use heat or ice therapy, whichever one works best for you. You will also be put on bed rest because intense activity can be painful. Urination and bowel movements may be painful as well.
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