Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, the walnut sized gland below your bladder that produces fluid (semen) that supports the sperm.

Prostatitis affects men of all ages, but it is more common in men over the age of 50. Prostatitis can be the result of a bacterial infection, often the same bacteria that are responsible for urinary tract infections, or it can occur in the absence of any infection. Prostatitis symptoms that last longer than 3 months or continue to reccur are deemed chronic in nature.

Types of Prostatitis

  • Bacterial Prostatitis: secondary to a bacterial infection. Presents acutely with fevers, chills, and sign/symptoms of urinary tract infection
  • Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: can be a common cause of recurrent urinary tract infections in men
  • Chronic Non-bacterial prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Can cause chronic urinary symptoms and pelvic discomfort in the absence of an infection
  • Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: usually an incidental finding on prostate biopsy with no symptoms

Symptoms

  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Blood in urine
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Fever
  • Pain in the area between the scrotum and anus
  • Pain at the tip of the penis
  • Urgency to urinate

Diagnosis

  • Urine culture to rule out urinary tract infection
  • Prostate examination with possible prostate ultrasound
  • Semen culture to evaluate for prostate infection
  • Cystoscopy: look inside the prostate and bladder

Treatments:

  • Antibiotics: usually tailored based on your culture results
  • Alpha blockers: These medications help relax the prostate, helping you to urinate more freely
  • NSAIDS: anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve the discomfort

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