What is prostatitis?
There are several types of prostatitis, including:
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) – the most common type. Chronic means it can go on for a long time. Nobody knows what actually causes CPPS as it is not a bacterial infection (other types of prostatitis are), but it is thought that it could be problems with nerves around the prostate or urine getting into it. There is also some research that shows that it could be related to stress and anxiety.
- Acute bacterial prostatitis – caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate that develops quickly. Bacteria can enter the prostate from the bowel, bladder or blood stream. It can be treated with anti-biotics, but it can also be a serious infection that needs hospital treatment.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis – a bacterial infection that can last for a long time – sometimes 3 months. It is not common but can tend to come and go for those who suffer from it. It can follow acute bacterial prostatitis if the infection isn’t cleared.
- Asymptomatic prostatitis – prostatitis with no symptoms. This is often found when checks are being carried out for another issue. This type of prostatitis often doesn’t require treatment but may involve anti-biotics.
Symptoms of prostatitis
According to Prostate Cancer UK, prostatitis may cause the following symptoms:
- discomfort, pain or aching in your testicles, or the area between your testicles and back passage (perineum), or the tip of your penis
- discomfort, pain or aching in the lower part of your stomach area (lower abdomen), your groin or your back
- needing to wee frequently or urgently
- pain or stinging during or after weeing
- feeling as if you’re sitting on a golf ball
- no desire for sex (lack of libido)
- less commonly, difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction), pain or burning during ejaculation, and premature ejaculation
Symptoms can vary between men and some forms of prostatitis can also cause other symptoms such as:
- pain in muscles and joints in the pelvic area, thighs and lower back; fever; sweating and chills (acute bacterial prostatitis)
- pain in the pelvic area below stomach, including between the testicles and back passage (perineum), that can go on for a long time (chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS))
How is prostatitis diagnosed?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above. A number of tests may be carried out, including:
- symptom check
- urine test
- blood test
- physical examination of abdomen and prostate (digital rectal examination)
- prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
You may need to visit the hospital for some tests.
How is prostatitis treated?
Treatment will depend on what type of prostatitis you have and will vary from man to man.
You may be given medicines such as:
- antibiotics
- pain relief
- alpha blockers (such as tamsulosin)
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (such as finasteride)
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
You may also be given treatments such as:
- prostate massage
- surgery (sometimes an option with CPPS)
- anti-depressants – some men get depressed or anxious when suffering from prostatitis
- treatment for sexual problems
- complementary therapies and treatments such as relaxation or herbal medicines
Your doctor may also suggest that you might be able to help yourself by making changes to your lifestyle, such as:
- drink – more water and soft drinks and less alcohol, fizzy drinks and those containing caffeine
- food – keep an eye out for certain foods that might cause flare up
- sitting – for a long time can cause issues. Use a cushion.
- exercise – can reduce symptoms and pain. Pelvic floor muscle exercises can be good. Avoid cycling!
- diary – try to keep a note of anything that seems to cause a flare-up and let your doctor know about it
Will prostatitis lead to prostate cancer?
No – prostatitis is not cancer and is not an enlarged prostate.
You can find out more about prostatitis in Prostate Cancer UK’s leaflet “Prostatitis – a guide to inflammation or infection of the prostate”
This is the third in our 4 part mini series “All about your prostate”. Please read the first two parts:
