Prostatitis: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factor, Treatment & Prevention

 

Prostatitis is a condition of the prostate gland that is typically associated with inflammation, or swelling and discomfort. Urinating can be uncomfortable or difficult if you have prostatitis. Additionally, it may result in vaginal, pelvic, or groin pain. Bacterial infections do not always cause prostatitis.

For those who are born male, the prostate gland, which is roughly the size of a walnut, is located directly behind the bladder. It encircles the urethra, the upper portion of the tube that carries pee from the bladder. The prostate and other sex glands produce the fluid that delivers sperm during ejaculation. We refer to this fluid as semen.

Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, as well as chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), are among the disorders collectively referred to as prostatitis. It may result in prostate gland pain, inflammation, and infection. There are no symptoms associated with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Prostatitis that is sudden or acute is a medical emergency.

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is inflammation of your prostate gland. Your prostate gland sits below your bladder, in front of your rectum. Your urethra (the tube that takes pee and semen out of your body) travels through the core of your prostate.

If you have one of the four types of prostatitis, the tissue around and around your prostate gland becomes enlarged, painful and irritable. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bacterial infections can cause certain types of prostatitis, although some have no cause. Some medicines that help manage your symptoms.

Also Read: Blood in urine (Hematuria): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Types

Prostatitis comes in four primary forms:

• Acute prostatitis caused by bacteria. This prostate infection is brought on by bacteria. It usually occurs as abrupt, serious symptoms.

• Persistent prostatitis caused by bacteria. This is a persistent or recurring bacterial infection. Compared to acute bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are frequently less severe.

• Chronic prostatitis is persistent pelvic pain syndrome. Urinary tract symptoms and pelvic pain are brought on by this and may persist or recur. However, no indication of infection is present.

• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, also known as nonbacterial prostatitis, is a disorder that results in inflammation of the prostate gland without any symptoms. Tests to determine the cause of other symptoms may reveal that you have this disorder. This type is not an infection and does not require treatment.

Symptoms:

The type of prostatitis determines the symptoms. They could consist of:

• Dysuria is the term for burning or painful urination.

• Difficulties urinating, such as dribbling or difficulty initiating or maintaining a stream of pee.

• Nocturia is the term for frequent, primarily nighttime urination.

• I urgently need to urinate.

• Pee that is cloudy.

• Urine containing blood.

• Lower back, groin, or abdominal pain.

• Pain in the perineum, which is the region between the scrotum and the rectum.

• Penile or testicle pain or discomfort.

• Ejaculation that pains.

• Acute bacterial prostatitis can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

Causes:

The type of prostatitis determines the causes.

• Acute prostatitis caused by bacteria. Most frequently, common bacterial strains are to blame. It's possible that the infection originated in other areas of the reproductive or urinary systems.

• Persistent prostatitis caused by bacteria. The most common cause of this is an acute bacterial infection. It can occur when an acute illness is treated for a short period of time or when the bacteria are not completely eliminated.

• Another name for chronic prostatitis is persistent pelvic pain syndrome. According to research, there could be a number of contributing factors. These include a prior illness, an immunological or neurological system disorder, psychological stress, or hormonal problems.

• Asymptomatic Inflammatory prostatitis. The cause of this is unknown. During an examination for other medical conditions, it could appear.

Does prostatitis indicate the presence of prostate cancer?

Prostatitis is not cancerous; it is benign. Your risk of prostate cancer is not increased by it. However, just like prostate cancer, inflammation from prostatitis can occasionally increase the amount of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in your blood. The cause of increased PSA levels can be ascertained with additional testing.

Risk factors:

Prostatitis risk factors include:

• Middle-aged or younger.

• Prostatitis earlier.

• Urinary or reproductive system infection.

• AIDS or HIV infection.

• Use of a urinary catheter, a tube inserted into the urethra to empty the bladder.

• Obtaining a biopsy, or sample of prostate tissue, for laboratory analysis.

The following are additional risk factors for chronic prostatitis, commonly known as chronic pelvic discomfort syndrome:

• Mental stress.

• Pelvic nerve damage brought on by surgery or trauma

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Complication:

Acute or chronic prostatitis might result in the following complications:

• Bacteremia is the term for a bacterial infection of the blood.

• Epididymitis is an irritation of the coiled tube that is linked to the rear of the testicle.

• A prostatic abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the prostate.

• Infection that extends to the lower spine or upper pelvic bone.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome and prostatitis might cause the following complications:

• Depression or worry.

• Erectile dysfunction is a type of sexual dysfunction that includes problems getting and maintaining an erection.

• Infertility is the term for changes in sperm and semen that may prevent conception.

• There is no evidence linking prostatitis to prostate cancer. Researchers have looked into if chronic prostate inflammation is a cancer risk factor.

Diagnosis:

Several conditions can generate symptoms resembling those of prostatitis. Your healthcare professional may send you to an expert in urinary and reproductive system conditions called a urologist. Diagnosis involves a physical exam, assessment of your symptoms and medical history, and tests.

Test for diagnosing bacterial infections
Diagnostic tests to assess for infection may include:

• Digital rectal exam. With this technique, a healthcare professional places a gloved finger that's greased inside your rectum to see if there's inflammation of the prostate.

• Urine test. A urine sample is checked for infection and what type it is.

• Blood test. Blood samples may show evidence of infection and other conditions related to the prostate.

• Prostatic specimen test: During a rectal exam, a medical practitioner may gently massage the prostate to release prostate fluid into the urethra. A urine sample taken following the massage is tested to check for infection in the prostate fluid; this test is not for acute bacterial prostatitis because it can spread germs in the blood.

Other tests:

If the first tests reveal no trace of infection, you may have further testing, including:

• Urodynamic testing. These tests examine how well the bladder and urethra hold and discharge urine. These tests can help show the root of troubles with urinating.

• Imaging. Imaging tests can show something that isn't common in the prostate and growths or other disorders in the pelvic region that may be causing pain.

Treatment :

The type of prostatitis you have and your symptoms will determine how you are treated.

• Treating an infection

• You use antibiotics for either acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis. Antibiotics for acute prostatitis may need to be administered in a hospital for a brief period of time via an IV.

• Antibiotic treatment typically lasts four to six weeks. It may occasionally be longer. To eliminate the infection and reduce the chance of developing chronic bacterial prostatitis, take all of the medication.

• Treating urinary symptoms: Alpha-blockers help relax the bladder neck and the muscle fibers where the prostate joins the bladder, which may help with symptoms like pain or difficulty urinating. Alpha-blockers are most commonly used to treat people with chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome; they can also help with urinary symptoms of bacterial infections. 
• Treating pain: Your doctor may recommend non-prescription medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others).

How is prostatitis caused by bacteria treated?

The bacteria that cause bacterial forms of prostatitis can be treated by antibiotics. Antibiotics may be required for 14 to 30 days in patients with acute bacterial prostatitis. In a hospital, some patients require antibiotics administered intravenously (IV). Although it is uncommon, surgery to remove a prostate abscess may be required.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is more difficult to treat. Most patients require antibiotics for four to twelve weeks. Your doctor could recommend a low-dose antibiotic to prevent a recurrent infection if this strategy fails and your symptoms return.

How can prostatitis be prevented?

Prostatitis cannot be prevented by men. Currently, scientists are working to better understand the causes of prostatitis and create preventative measures.

Treating UTIs as soon as possible may prevent an infection from spreading to your prostate. 

If you have pain in your perineum or notice changes in the way you usually urinate, consult a doctor. This can stop prostatitis from getting worse if you have it.

Eating, nutrition, and food have not been linked to prostatitis development or prevention, according to research. Urologists may advise consuming more liquids and avoiding or consuming fewer things that irritate the bladder when treating bacterial prostatitis. Men should see a dietician or medical professional about the best diet for them.

References:

• Ferri FF. Prostatitis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2025. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 18, 2024.

• American Academy of Family Physicians. Prostatitis (https://familydoctor.org/condition/prostatitis/). Last updated 8/2022. Accessed 11/14/2023.

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostatitis-inflammation-prostate. Accessed Sept. 18, 2024.

• Davis NG, Silberman M. Bacterial Acute Prostatitis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459257/). 2023 May 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. Accessed 11/14/2023.

• Rye grass. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Sept. 19, 2024.

• Yang Y, et al. The harmful effects of overlooking acute bacterial prostatitis. International Journal of Urology. 2024; doi:10.1111/iju.15390.

• Merck Manual, Consumer Version. Prostatitis (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/men-s-health-issues/benign-prostate-disorders/prostatitis). Last reviewed 9/2022. Accessed 11/14/2023.

• Prostate Cancer UK. Prostatitis (https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/just-diagnosed/other-prostate-problems/prostatitis). Last updated 11/2022. Accessed 11/14/2023.

• Prostate cancer risk factors. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2024.

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Cancers (U.S.). Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostate-problems/prostatitis-inflammation-prostate). Last reviewed 7/2014. Accessed 11/14/2023.

• Healy R, et al. Chroic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome). British Medical Journal. 2023; doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-073908.

• Urology Care Foundation (U.S.). What Are Prostatitis and Related Chronic Pelvic Pain Conditions? (https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/prostatitis-(infection-of-the-prostate)) Last reviewed 11/2021. Accessed 11/14/2023.