Prostatitis
Overview
Causes
Cause will depend on the type of prostatitis:
- Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis are caused by an infection. A bacteria enters the prostate. It often comes from the nearby urinary tract or rectum.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis—causes are not clearly understood.
A cause may not be found in some people.
Risk Factors
Prostatitis is more common in men who use catheters. Other things that may raise the chances of prostatitis are:
- Having sex without using barriers like condoms
- Foreskin that does not to fully draw back from the head of the penis— phimosis
- Urethra that has narrowed
- Prostate that has grown
- Past urinary tract infections
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis. Many may not have any problems. Symptoms that do occur may include:
- Needing to urinate (pee) often or feeling an urgent need to often
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Having a hard time passing urine
- Lower belly pain or pressure
- Pain in penis, rectum, and area in between
- Lower back pain
- Fever or chills
- Problems getting or keeping erection
Treatments
Treatment
How prostatitis is treated will depend on its type.
Infectious Prostatitis
Antibiotics can be used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They may be given over several days or weeks. The antibiotics may be given through an IV for infections that are hard to treat.
Symptoms may be treated with:
- Stool softeners—to ease pressure in area
- Medicine to ease swelling
- Pain medicine
- Medicine to help with urine flow
Alcohol and drinks with caffeine can make symptoms worse.
Prostatitis Not Linked to Infection
Treatment may help ease symptoms. Options include:
- Medicine to help urine flow and the bladder empty
- Medicine to ease swelling
- Pain medicine
- Warm soaks
- Prostate massages
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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