This week, let's dive in to the role of histamine and/or mast cell involvement in the scenario of pain, especially that of pain associated with urination or with the bladder, the prostate or the pelvic area.
Ever heard any of these terms bandied about?
Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
Painful Bladder Syndrome
Prostatitis
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)
No one likes pain of any kind, but unlike joint, muscle or abdominal pain, pelvic pain or pain with urination is taboo to talk about.
That’s what we are here for.
Interstitial Cystitis
One condition associated with bladder pain is interstitial cystitis (IC). IC is characterized by bladder pressure and pain, and sometimes also by pelvic pain.
It is a condition that can be experienced by men and women, though it is predominately women who are diagnosed with it.
For women there can be pain with intercourse or orgasm. Mast cell mediators are involved in this condition (1) and people with IC report that pain worsened when high histamine foods were consumed. (2)
Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Another condition, occurring in men, is prostatitis. As with IC, there can be painful urination, and pain in the bladder and pelvis.
Prostatitis falls under the diagnostic category of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS). Difficulty achieving an erection, or pain with ejaculation can be other symptoms. Research also supports a correlation to mast cell involvement with this condition. (3)
Could this be a histamine problem?
Comorbidities with IC include prostatitis, endometriosis, vulvodynia, chronic pelvic pain, urinary tract infections and depression and anxiety (4). Additionally, IBS and fibromyalgia (5) can also occur in the same people at the same time.
All of these comorbidities can have histamine or mast cell involvement as well. Check out past blog posts to help explore these topics: chronic pain / mood disturbances / IBS
Have you been diagnosed with IC, CPPS, prostatitis or any other condition involving bladder pain? Do you also have allergies, IBS or migraine headaches? These conditions may also involve histamine or mast cell activation.
Ask yourself if it is possible that mast cells activation is at the root of all of your symptoms. Could it be that there is a single reason for everything you have been struggling with?
If you are struggling with other symptoms of pain, then check out our blog on chronic pain. And start using the free resources available here to start reducing histamine mediated troubles, and possible mast cell involvement.
Want to learn more about histamine issues, and how it can play in to your symptoms you experience on a daily basis? Join our online community by clicking here. Loads of printable resources, a Master Class on the Histamine Connection. It's free to join!
*Not medical advice. Please consult with your medical team first and foremost in order to rule other things out, and to get a deeper understanding of what's going on.