Pelvic pain in men can be caused by problems with the urinary tract, the reproductive system, or the intestines. There are many possible causes of pelvic pain in men, but it’s important to consider symptoms other than pain that can help determine the cause. The excretory system forms urine, which is removed from the body. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria colonize any of these parts of the urinary system. Most UTIs affect the bladder, causing cystitis. Symptoms of urinary tract infections include pelvic pain, along with: Pelvic pressure; Frequent urges to urinate; Blood in the urine; Painful urination Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, is usually caused by a urinary tract infection. But it can be caused by other factors, including: Reaction to drugs; Reaction to chemicals; Radiotherapy; Prolonged use of a catheter Other symptoms of cystitis include – painful urination or burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy and dark urine, blood in the urine. Prostatitis can be another possible cause of pelvic pain. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder, and the urethra passes through the center of the prostate. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that can be caused by a bacterial infection or damage to the nerves in the lower urinary tract. Sometimes there is no clear reason. Along with pelvic pain, symptoms of prostatitis include – genital pain, abdominal or lower back pain, pain between the scrotum and rectum blood in the urine, cloudy urine, frequent urination, painful urination, painful ejaculation, flu-like symptoms (in bacterial prostatitis) . Sexually transmitted infections can cause a range of symptoms or be asymptomatic. In men, pelvic pain may indicate chlamydia or gonorrhea. These infections are caused by bacteria and often occur together. In addition to pelvic and abdominal pain, symptoms in men include: Purulent discharge from the penis; Painful urination; Pain in the testicles. Bibliography: Montgomery L, et al. (n.d.). Chronic pelvic pain in men. Hodge BD, et al. (2019). Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, appendix.