Men with chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) have persistent discomfort or pain in the pelvic area that lasts several months, often longer. Discomfort is usually at the base of the penis and around the anus and lower back. Sometimes it spreads into the testes. The cause isn’t known.

Researchers at Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, in Germany studied the response to pollen extract (Cernilton).

First, the details.

• 139 men were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 12 weeks.
  • Pollen extract (two capsules every 8 hours)
  • Placebo
• Neither the researchers nor patients knew the treatment given — double blind.

And, the results.

• Pain and quality of life improved significantly with pollen extract vs placebo after 12 weeks.
• There was also significant improvement in the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) with pollen extract after 6 and 12 weeks compared to placebo.
• The NIH-CPSI score decreased by at least 25% or at least 6 points in 71% of those treated with in the pollen extract versus 50% with placebo — a significant difference.
• Adverse events were minor.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Compared to placebo, the pollen extract significantly improved total symptoms, pain, and quality of life in patients with inflammatory CP/CPPS without severe side-effects.”

An earlier study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Beverly Hills, California, which used a pollen extract preparation called Prostat/Poltit concluded that it was “superior to placebo in providing symptomatic relief in men with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.”

6/20/09 19:10 JR