Ongoing Studies in Male Chronic Pelvic Pain

1. Evaluation Study: This study involves a thorough evaluation for potential cofactors of MCPP. The study includes:
   
   
   • Systematic history-taking and documentation of symptoms;
     
     
   • Evaluation for lower genitourinary tract infection using the latest available clinical and research techniques;
     
     
   • Standardized physical examination;
     
     
   • Standardized evaluation of pelvic musculoskeletal function by a physical therapist;
     
     
   • Neurophysiologic testing of the lower genital tract;
     
     
   • Biochemical analysis of prostatitc fluid and semen for reactive oxygen species (experimental), fertility parameters, and other inflammatory markers;
   
   
   
2. Treatment Study: "N=1"
   
   N=1 means you are the subject that receives BOTH active treatment AND placebo. Subjects in this study act as their own controls to test the hypothesis that certain medications can alleviate the symptoms of MCPP. They receive either medication or placebo for one week and then are switched to another medication or placebo. At the end of the study subjects are presented with a statistical analysis of "their" data to help them decide if treatment is effective.