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Prostatitis

What Is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a condition where men experience pain around the prostate. The condition can occur in men of all ages.

The prostate is a small gland that sits in front of the rectum and just beneath the bladder. The prostate is responsible for making seminal fluid, which protects the sperm.

Prostatitis is typically caused by inflammation or a prostate infection. There are four kinds of prostatitis:

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis

  • Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis

  • Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Symptoms

The symptoms of prostatitis vary based on the type of prostatitis:

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis – Chills, difficulty emptying the bladder, fever and intense burning during urination that comes on suddenly

  • Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis – No symptoms

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis – Burning during urination, frequent urination, painful ejaculation, pain between the penis and anus, and pain in the penis, bladder and testicles

  • Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome – Difficulty urinating, difficulty and pain during ejaculation, pain between the penis and anus, pain in the penis, bladder and testicles

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the form of prostatitis. Treatment options include:

  • Acute bacterial prostatitis – Antibiotics for at least 14 days and up to four weeks generally cure this form of prostatitis. Sometimes hospital admission is required so antibiotics can be given intravenously (into your vein).

  • Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis – This may not require treatment. In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed.

  • Chronic bacterial prostatitis – Antibiotics for four to 12 weeks are prescribed. Approximately 75 percent of patients get better after the first course of antibiotics, though sometimes low-dose, long-term antibiotics are needed.

  • Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome – This form of prostatitis isn’t always caused by bacteria, though your physician may prescribe antibiotics to see if a bacterial infection is the cause. Antibiotics can also help relieve inflammation.

In addition to antibiotics, your doctor may recommend:

  • Alpha-blockers – Medication to relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder

  • Anti-inflammatory medications

  • Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks or spicy foods

  • Avoiding activities that make pain worse, such as riding a bike

  • Hot baths, heating pads or hot water bottle

  • Muscle relaxers

  • Pain medication

  • Prostatic massages – A procedure that relaxes nearby muscles and helps drain fluid from the prostate

  • In rare cases, surgery may be required.

Ready for an Appointment?

If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of prostatitis, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.

Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat prostatitis.