Complementary and alternative medicine for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine Vol. 2; no. 4; pp. 495 - 501
• Main Authors: Capodice, Jillian L, Bemis, Debra L, Buttyan, Ralph, Kaplan, Steven A, Katz, Aaron E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01-12-2005
• Subjects: Reviews
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neh128

To discuss challenges concerning treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and review complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies being evaluated for this condition, we performed a comprehensive search of articles published from 1990-2005 using the PubMed, Medline databases. Data from the articles were abstracted and pooled by subject. Keywords cross-searched with CP/CPPS included: complementary, alternative, integrative, therapies, interventions, nutrition, antioxidants, herbs, supplements, biofeedback and acupuncture. Listed articles with no abstracts were not included. Various CAM therapies for CP/CPPS exist including biofeedback, acupuncture, hyperthermia and electrostimulation. Additionally, a variety of in vitro and in vivo studies testing herbal and nutritional supplements were found. Saw palmetto, cernilton and quercetin were the most frequently tested supplements for CP/CPPS. Although many CAM therapies demonstrate positive preliminary observations as prospective treatments for CP/CPPS, further exploratory studies including more randomized, controlled trials are necessary for significant validation as treatment options for this complex disorder.