Prostatitis

What is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland in men that sits below the bladder and produces fluid for semen. When this gland becomes inflamed or infected, it can cause pain and difficulty urinating.

This condition affects men of all ages, from young adults to older men. It is one of the most common reasons men visit a urologist. Unlike prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which typically affect older men, prostatitis can strike at any age.

There are several types of prostatitis. Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly and is caused by bacteria. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a recurring infection that lasts months or longer. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the most common type and may or may not involve infection. Understanding which type you have helps guide the right treatment approach.

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Symptoms

Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Difficulty urinating or weak urine stream
Frequent urination, especially at night
Urgent need to urinate
Pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or lower back
Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum
Pain or discomfort in the penis or testicles
Painful ejaculation
Flu-like symptoms with acute bacterial prostatitis
Blood in the urine or semen

Some men with chronic prostatitis experience mild symptoms that come and go. Others have no symptoms at all in the early stages. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and severity of inflammation.

Causes and risk factors

Bacterial prostatitis occurs when bacteria from urine leak into the prostate gland. Common bacteria include E. coli and other intestinal bacteria. Risk factors include urinary tract infections, bladder infections, use of urinary catheters, and prior prostate biopsies. Sexually transmitted infections like Trichomonas can also cause prostatitis in some cases.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome has less clear causes. It may result from previous infection, nerve damage, stress, immune system problems, or pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Other risk factors include trauma to the pelvic area, dehydration, holding urine too long, and cycling or activities that put pressure on the prostate. Men who have had prostatitis before are more likely to develop it again.

How it's diagnosed

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, including a digital rectal exam to check the prostate for tenderness or swelling. A urine culture can detect bacteria that may be causing infection. This test looks for the presence of bacteria in your urine that could have spread to the prostate.

A PSA test measures prostate-specific antigen in your blood. Prostatitis can cause elevated PSA levels due to inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. Rite Aid offers PSA testing as an add-on to our health panel, along with urine culture testing. These tests help identify whether inflammation or infection is present. Your doctor may also order additional tests based on your symptoms and medical history.

Treatment options

Antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks or longer if bacterial infection is present
Alpha-blockers to relax muscles in the prostate and bladder neck
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce discomfort
Pelvic floor physical therapy to relieve muscle tension
Drinking plenty of water to flush bacteria from the urinary tract
Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that can irritate the bladder
Taking warm sitz baths to reduce pain and inflammation
Avoiding prolonged sitting or activities that put pressure on the prostate
Regular ejaculation to help drain prostate fluid
Stress management techniques like meditation or yoga

Frequently asked questions

Prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate gland that can affect men of any age. An enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a gradual growth of the prostate that typically affects men over 50. Prostatitis usually causes pain and comes on suddenly or in episodes, while BPH develops slowly over time.

Acute bacterial prostatitis rarely goes away without antibiotic treatment and can become serious if left untreated. Chronic prostatitis symptoms may come and go, but the underlying condition usually requires treatment to fully resolve. Seeing a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent complications like chronic pain or recurring infections.

Acute bacterial prostatitis typically improves within a few days of starting antibiotics, but treatment continues for 4 to 6 weeks. Chronic bacterial prostatitis may require antibiotics for several months. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome can take longer to resolve and may need ongoing management with multiple treatment approaches.

Prostatitis can temporarily affect fertility because the prostate produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It can also cause painful ejaculation and erectile difficulties during active infection or inflammation. These issues typically improve once the prostatitis is treated. Most men regain normal sexual function and fertility after successful treatment.

Most cases of prostatitis are not contagious or sexually transmitted. Bacterial prostatitis is usually caused by intestinal bacteria that enter the urinary tract, not from sexual contact. However, some sexually transmitted infections like Trichomonas can cause prostatitis. Your doctor can test for STIs if there is concern about sexual transmission.

Prostatitis causes inflammation and infection in the prostate, which can raise PSA levels in your blood. An elevated PSA from prostatitis does not mean you have prostate cancer. Your PSA should return to normal levels after the prostatitis is successfully treated. Your doctor may retest your PSA after treatment to ensure it has normalized.

Yes, several lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of recurrent prostatitis. Drinking plenty of water helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract. Avoiding prolonged sitting, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and practicing good hygiene can also help. Regular ejaculation, managing stress, and treating constipation promptly may prevent future episodes.

See a doctor immediately if you have sudden fever, chills, severe pelvic pain, or inability to urinate. These may indicate acute bacterial prostatitis requiring urgent treatment. Also see a doctor if you have persistent urinary symptoms, pelvic pain lasting more than a few days, or blood in your urine or semen.

Yes, prostatitis commonly affects men of all ages, including men in their 20s and 30s. Unlike prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia that mainly affect older men, prostatitis can strike at any age. Bacterial infections, pelvic trauma, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome all occur in younger men.

There is no clear evidence that prostatitis increases your risk of developing prostate cancer. However, prostatitis can temporarily raise your PSA levels, which might cause confusion during cancer screening. It is important to treat prostatitis and retest PSA levels after treatment. Your doctor can help distinguish between PSA elevation from inflammation versus other causes.