Sign up for our newsletter

Prostatitis is an Inflammation and/or infection of the Prostate gland found in men. Routes of potential infection are the urethra and reflux of infected urine into protatic ducts.

An infection can be associated through sexual transmission – though research shows this may be less common than once thought. It can be associated without the presence of bacteria. (60-70%)

Another possible cause can be repeated or chronic bladder infections that are untreated or even treated. But most often the cause is not clear and it can affect men of all ages.

Four Categories According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

–  Category 1 is acute bacterial prostatitis.
–  Category 2 is chronic bacterial prostatitis.
–  Category 3 includes the conditions previously known as nonbacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
–  Category 4 is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

Can be Acute or Chronic

1.) Acute = typically caused by bacteria

–  Acute bacterial prostatits is usually caused by E.coli or Pseudomonas
–  Less typical infection is by Eneterococci

2.) Chronic = caused by bacteria and nonbacterial causes.

Symptoms:

–  Rectal, Sacral, or Perineal pain
–  Fever
–  Chills
–  Difficulty voiding
–  Pain with voiding
–  Frequent urination
–  Painful ejaculation
–  Low back pain

Diagnosis:

–  Digital Rectal Exam
–  Transrectal Ultrasound – occasionally done
–  Biopsy
–  Voiding Studies

Treatment:

–  Appropriate Antibiotics
–  Aplha-blockers
–  Muslce relaxants
–  Pain medications
–  Surgical procedures
–  Finasteride (Proscar) – lowers hormone level in prostate.
.        It is not used often