Prostatitis – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

• Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: This is a sudden and severe form of prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms of this condition include frequent urination, pain or burning during urination, and lower abdominal pain. It can also cause fever, chills, and body aches. Acute bacterial prostatitis is typically treated with antibiotics.
• Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: This is a recurring form of prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms are similar to those of acute bacterial prostatitis but may be less severe and persistent. Chronic bacterial prostatitis can be difficult to treat and may require long-term antibiotics or other treatments.
• Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS): This is a chronic form of prostatitis that is not caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, urinary symptoms, and sexual dysfunction. The cause of chronic prostatitis/CPPS is often unknown, but it may be related to nerve or muscle problems in the pelvic area or to other conditions like interstitial cystitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis: This is a form of prostatitis in which there are no symptoms, but inflammation is present in the prostate. This condition is often discovered incidentally, for example, during a routine check-up or when undergoing tests for another condition. In many cases, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis does not require treatment.

What Does Prostatitis Feel Like?

Acute bacterial Prostatitis is primarily caused by a bacterial infection. It typically comes on suddenly, with severe symptoms such as fever and chills. Chronic bacterial Prostatitis is a recurring infection that may cause milder symptoms. Chronic prostatitis is a non-bacterial condition that causes chronic pain and discomfort but no signs of infection. Asymptomatic inflammatory Prostatitis is detected by an inflammation of the prostate that causes no symptoms.

How Common Is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a common condition, affecting about 2 in every ten men at some point. The situation is more common in men over 50 but can occur at any age. Complications of Prostatitis can include chronic pain, erectile dysfunction, and urinary problems. In very rare cases, it can also lead to the development of prostate cancer.

Treatment for Prostatitis varies depending on the type of the condition and the underlying cause. Acute bacterial Prostatitis typically requires a course of antibiotics. At the same time, chronic forms of the state may be treated with a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. It’s very important to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

• Bacterial infection
• Chronic bacterial infection
• Non-bacterial causes
• Asymptomatic inflammatory Prostatitis

What Is the Most Common Cause of Prostatitis?

To diagnose Prostatitis, the healthcare provider may perform the following tests:

• Urine tests: A urine sample will be taken to check for signs of infection, such as bacteria or white blood cells.
• Blood tests: A blood sample will be taken to check for an elevated white blood cell count, which can indicate inflammation.
• Prostate fluid culture: In some cases, a healthcare provider may collect a sample of fluid from the prostate (prostatic fluid) to culture for bacteria. This test can help to determine if a bacterial infection is present and identify the specific type of bacteria causing the infection.
• Prostatitis differential diagnosis: Differential diagnosis for prostatitis refers to rule out other possible medical conditions that may be causing similar symptoms.
• Pelvic examination: The healthcare provider may perform a pelvic examination to check for pain or tenderness in the pelvic area.
• Imaging tests: In some cases, the healthcare provider may order imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to check for any abnormalities in the prostate or surrounding areas.
• Cystoscopy: A cystoscope, a small tube with a light and camera on the end, is inserted through the urethra to check for abnormalities in the bladder and urethra.

Once the diagnostic test for prostatitis is done, the healthcare provider will use the results to make a diagnosis and determine the appropriate course of treatment. In some cases, more than one test may be needed for “how is prostatitis diagnosed?” to make a definitive diagnosis.

The treatment for prostatitis pain relief will depend on the type of the condition and the underlying cause for treating prostatitis. Some common treatment for chronic prostatitis treatment options include:

• Antibiotics: Acute bacterial prostatitis is typically treated with a course of antibiotics to clear the infection. The specific antibiotic used will depend on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
• Alpha-blockers: These medications can help to relax the muscles in the prostate and improve symptoms such as frequent urination and difficulty during urination.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Long-term antibiotic treatment may be needed to prevent the recurrence of infection.
• Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Treatment may include a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms.
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: No treatment is needed as there are no symptoms.

Prostatitis self-care measures that can help to reduce symptoms of Prostatitis include:

• Drinking plenty of water to help flush out bacteria and reduce inflammation.
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, which can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.
• Practicing good hygiene, such as wiping from front to back after using the toilet, to reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
• Practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections
• Avoiding tight-fitting clothing, which can put pressure on the prostate and worsen symptoms
• Engaging in regular exercise can help to improve overall health and reduce stress.

There is no permanent cure for prostatitis or best treatment for chronic prostatitis, as all prostatitis prognoses will require different prostatitis therapy.

• Practicing good hygiene
• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding irritants
• Engaging in regular exercise
• Avoiding tight-fitting clothing
• Seeking medical attention for symptoms
• Maintaining a healthy diet

Frequently Asked Questions