IASH India: Institute of Andrology & Sexual Health India
Prostatitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment – IASH

Prostatitis is an infection in the prostate glands that includes Acute and chronic bacterial Prostatitis and CPPS. The prostate gland can get infected, enlarged, and uncomfortable. However, the man with acute Prostatitis must be treated immediately.

What is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a disorder that occurs when the prostate gland or nearby areas becomes inflamed. It typically causes groyne, pelvic or vaginal pain, discomfort, or difficulty urinating. However, bacterial infections are not the only reason for all occurrences of Prostatitis.

The prostate gland is a walnut-size gland present in men beneath the bladder. It encircles the top portion of the tube that empties the bladder (urethra). The prostate and other sex glands produce the fluid that transports sperm during ejaculation (semen).

Types of Prostatitis

Researchers have identified four distinct forms of Prostatitis:

  • Chronic Prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome – Chronic Prostatitis or CPPS is very common and found in 2 in 5 men. 
  •  Acute Bacterial Prostatitis – If you have difficulty in peeing, frequent urination or both, that means you have acute Prostatitis. This becomes infected because of UTI. However, Medical attention is needed right away for acute bacterial Prostatitis.
  •  Asymptomatic inflammatory – Despite having no symptoms, this illness produces inflammation of the prostate gland. After undergoing tests to determine the root of other issues, you can discover that you have this ailment. For instance, a semen analysis for infertility may reveal silent inflammatory Prostatitis.
  •  Chronic bacterial Prostatitis – These occur more frequently in older males. The bacterial infection is less severe and can last for several months. Some men develop it following an acute bacterial prostatitis or urinary tract infection (UTI).

How Common is Prostatitis?

For males under 50, Prostatitis is the most frequent urinary tract issue, and for males over 50, it ranks third. Each year, roughly two million men in the United States seek medical attention for Prostatitis.

Chronic Prostatitis or the syndrome of persistent pelvic pain

  • The type of Prostatitis that is most prevalent and least understood.
  •  It can happen to men of any age.
  •  It Impacts 10 to 15 percent of males in the US.

What Causes Prostatitis?

Several possible CPPS contributors include:

  • Stress
  •  muscular spasms in the pelvic floor
  •  autoimmune conditions

Among the possible causes of bacterial Prostatitis are:

  • Bladder stones or bladder infections.
  •  Needing the use of a urinary catheter for surgery or biopsy.
  •  UTI
  •  urination difficulty,
  •  urethral stones

What are The Symptoms of Prostatitis?

Depending on the underlying cause, each form of Prostatitis may have different symptoms in different men. There are many illnesses whose symptoms are similar to many others. They may include:

  • When urinating, there may be pain or burning (dysuria)
  •  Urination difficulty, including dribble or hesitant urination
  •  frequent urinating, especially after dark (nocturia)
  •  Need to urinate immediately
  •  cloudy urine
  •  Urine with blood in it
  •  abdominal, groyne, or lower back pain
  •  Penis or testicles that are painful or uncomfortable
  •  unpleasant ejaculation
  •  discomfort between the scrotum and the rectum (perineum)
  •  Other symptoms such as a fever and body aches (with acute bacterial Prostatitis)

When to see Doctor

Various illnesses can cause the symptoms and signs of Prostatitis. You must receive a proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as it is practical. Get medical help right away if any of the following take place:

  • fever and painful or challenging urinating
  •  difficulty urinating
  •  pee with blood
  •  extremely uncomfortable or painful genitalia or pelvis

Risk Factors

Prostatitis risk factors include:

  • Prostate biopsy in Past
  • Infection in Urine
  • Adulthood may affect
  • urinary catheter
  • AIDS or HIV

The following are possible additional risk factors for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome:

  • Psychiatric tension
  •  pelvic nerve injury brought on by trauma or surgery

How is Prostatitis Diagnosed?

A variety of illnesses can cause the symptoms of Prostatitis. An expert in problems of the urinary and reproductive systems may be recommended to you (a urologist). Your Doctor will do a physical exam, review your symptoms and medical history, and order testing to identify the exact origin of the issue and rule out other possible causes. Test for Bacterial Infection Diagnosis.

Test for Diagnosis of Bacterial Infection

Urinalysis: Checking for germs and UTIs using urinalysis and urine culture.

Blood test: The blood is done to determine the prostate gland. High levels could indicate prostate cancer, BPH, or Prostatitis.

Other Tests

You might undergo additional testing if initial examinations reveal no evidence of infection, such as:

Urinalysis testing: The capacity of the bladder and urethra to store and release urine can be assessed using a variety of assays. These tests can aid in defining urination issues and locating their root causes.

Imaging: This test is performed to check for abnormalities and other pelvic region problems.

Treatment of Prostatitis

The treatment of Prostatitis depends upon the type of Prostatitis and its symptoms. At IASH Jaipur, Dr Chirag Bhandari is the best Doctor to treat Prostatitis in Jaipur.

Treating Infection

If you have either acute or chronic bacterial Prostatitis, antibiotics are recommended. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be needed for a brief time in the hospital for an acute illness. Typically, an antibiotic treatment course lasts 4 to 6 weeks, though it occasionally lasts longer. It’s critical to take all the suggested medication to eliminate the infection and lower your risk of developing chronic bacterial Prostatitis.

Treating Urinary Infection

Alpha-blocker medications aid in relaxing the bladder neck and the muscle fibers where your prostate connects to your bladder. This therapy may help with bladder symptoms like uncomfortable or challenging urinating. Therefore, This can treat the urinary symptoms of bacterial infections and is usually administered to men with chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome.

Treating Pain

Your Doctor may recommend over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol, among others) or ibuprofen or prescribe painkillers (Advil, Motrin IB, others).

Managing Psychological Pain

Psychological pain such as stress, depression, and anxiety are related to chronic pain. However, please consult your doctor; he will recommend you a psychotherapist or mental health expert.

Complications

Acute or chronic Prostatitis might have the following side effects:

  • blood infection caused by bacteria (bacteremia)
  •  condition of the coiled tube that is connected to the testicle’s spine (epididymitis)
  •  prostate cavity filled with feces (prostatic abscess)
  •  infection that travels to the lower spine or higher pelvic bone

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic discomfort syndrome complications could include:

  • The inability to achieve and sustain an erection is one example of sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction)
  •  Depression or anxiety
  •  Sperm and semen changes that could lead to infertility
  •  There isn’t any concrete proof that Prostatitis can cause prostate cancer. Whether persistent prostate inflammation poses a risk for cancer is a topic of research.

How to Prevent Prostatitis?

One should treat UTIs right away to prevent the prostate from becoming infected. Consult a doctor if you get pain in your perineum when sitting. Before it develops into chronic pelvic pain syndrome, you can take action to solve this issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is prostatitis a STD?

Ans: A bacterial infection frequently leads to prostate inflammation. Typically, it’s not brought on by anything that can be transmitted to your partner during sex. However, in rare instances, an STI may be the reason for the Prostatitis.

Q2. Is prostatitis permanent?

Ans: Treatment for acute bacterial Prostatitis typically results in recovery. Even after treatment, Prostatitis can occasionally recur. One or more treatments may be administered concurrently by your healthcare professional. Some men must cope with the symptoms while waiting for the inflammation to subside.

Q3. How can I fix prostatitis at home?

Ans: The following treatments could help with specific prostatitis symptoms:

  • Use a heating pad or a warm bath (sitz bath).
  •  Alcohol, caffeine, and spicy or acidic foods should all be avoided since they irritate your bladder.
  •  Take in a lot of water. You’ll urinate more as a result, which will aid in clearing bacteria from your bladder.

Q4. Would prostatitis show up in a urine test?

Ans: The Doctor will need to do a urine test on you to look for bacteria and other infection-related symptoms. A blood test can also be required.

Q5. What happens if prostatitis is left untreated?

Ans: Acute or chronic Prostatitis might have the following side effects: blood infection caused by bacteria (bacteremia) infection of the coiled tube that is connected to the testicle’s spine (epididymitis) prostate cavity filled with feces (prostatic abscess).