Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that surrounds the urethra. The prostate produces a fluid that is part of semen.
There are four types of prostatitis:
Acute and some chronic bacterial prostatitis are caused by bacteria that infect the prostate gland. The bacteria usually come from the urinary tract or rectum. The causes of nonbacterial prostatitis can be difficult to identify, but some feel this may be caused by nonbacterial pathogens such as chlamydia , virus, fungus, or mycoplasma.
The causes of prostatodynia can be even more difficult to identify. But, the condition can be associated with stress and/or disorders of pelvic floor muscle tension or conditions such as interstitial cystitis . Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is found during a prostate biopsy . The cause is not clearly understood.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors include:
Symptoms of prostatitis can come on slowly or suddenly. They can be mild or quite severe. In nonbacterial prostatitis, symptoms often come and go.
Symptoms may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Diagnosis of prostatitis is usually based on the symptoms and massaging the prostate gland. In this test, the doctor places a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the back wall of the prostate. In prostatitis, the prostate is usually tender and soft.
Other tests may include:
Treatment depends on the type of prostatitis:
Acute bacterial prostatitis is treated with oral antibiotics for 1-2 weeks. The commonly used drugs include quinolones (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin) or trimethoprim. In severe cases, treatment with intravenous antibiotics may be necessary. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also treated with oral antibiotics for 4-12 weeks. Other medications include:
Your doctor may recommend that you alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
Often patients are initially given a course of antibiotics. This is just in case an infectious cause was missed. Other treatments include:
RESOURCES:
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
http://www.afud.org
The Prostatitis Foundation
http://www.prostatitis.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
Men's Health Centre
http://www.menshealthcentre.net/
References:
American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org .
The Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home Edition . Simon and Schuster, Inc; 2000.
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/ .
Propert KJ, McNaughton-Collins M, Leiby BE, et al. A prostpective study of symptoms and quality of life in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort Study. J Urol . 2006;175:619-623.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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