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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffAlternative therapies that show some promise for reducing symptoms of prostatitis include the following:
- Biofeedback. This is a method for teaching you to use your thoughts to control your body. A biofeedback specialist uses signals from monitoring equipment to teach you to control certain body functions and responses, including relaxing your muscles. Some small studies have suggested the benefit of this process to manage pain associated with prostatitis.
- Acupuncture. This type of treatment involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin, to various depths at certain points on your body. A few small studies have shown that acupuncture may help with prostatitis symptoms.
- Herbal remedies and supplements. There's no evidence that herbs and supplements improve prostatitis, although many men take them. Some herbal treatments for prostatitis include cernilton (rye grass), quercetin (a chemical found in green tea, onions and other plants) and extract of the saw palmetto plant. Prostate supplements combine minerals and vitamins, particularly zinc, selenium and vitamins E and D. Depending on the formulation, some supplements may be harmful, so talk to your doctor before using them.
References
- Meyrier A, et al. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Pontari M. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2011.
- Nickel JC. Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/117299121-3/794153691/1445/12.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50011-X--cesec1_747. Accessed Jan. 21, 2011.
- Murphy AB, et al. Pharmacotherapy strategies in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome management. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2010;11:1255.
- Ramakrishnan K, et al. Prostatitis: Acute and chronic. Primary Care. 2010;37:547.
- Drezner JA, et al. Sports medicine. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217852368-11/0/1481/488.html?tocnode=53394295&fromURL=488.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50043-9--cesec49_2509. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
- Castle EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz. Feb. 14, 2011.
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