'Being a Man' With a Chronic Illness Involving Pelvic Pain: How Do Men Survive?

What is it about?

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is an as yet incurable illness, spanning years and even decades, afflicting up to 3%of all men, including teenagers and men in their twenties and thirties. It is neither well known nor much spoken about. This research explores the stories of these men and finds several themes of importance for their survival. (1) Navigating an unhelpful and generally minimally supportive medical environment, on a long and fearful route to eventual diagnosis. (2) Finding ways to cope with a fluctuating and chronic level of pain, often impacting on sexual performance. (3) Learning to talk about their difficulties with families and partners and trying to find meaning amongst the chaos of an intractable illness.

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Why is it important?

This illness is widespread but poorly understood and stigmatised because of the region of the body impacted. i.e. the pelvis. Suicidal thoughts are common and men need to learn to share their vulnerabilities, fears and pain to survive.

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