Definition

Prostatitis is swelling of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that surrounds the urethra. It produces a fluid that is part of semen.

Anatomy of the Prostate Gland Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

There are four types of prostatitis:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Causes

Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis are caused by an infection. A bacteria enters the prostate usually come from the urinary tract or rectum.

The causes of chronic pelvic pain syndrome and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis are not clearly understood. In some people, it is possible that a cause may not be found.

Risk Factors    TOP

Prostatitis is most common in men who use catheters. Other factors that may increase your risk of prostatitis include:

• Unprotected sex
• Phimosis—Inability of the foreskin to fully retract over the head of the penis
• Narrowing of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside
• Enlarged prostate
• History of urinary tract infections

Symptoms    TOP

Symptoms depend on the category of prostatitis syndrome. In many people, symptoms may not appear. In others, they may appear as another condition.

Symptoms may include:

• Needing to urinate frequently and/or urgently
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Difficulty urinating
• Lower abdominal pain or pressure
• Penile, rectal, or perineal discomfort
• Lower back pain
• Fever or chills
• Difficulty getting an erection

Diagnosis    TOP

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may be done to find the cause of the symptoms and rule out other conditions. Tests may include:

• Urine test—Looks for signs of infection
• Digital rectal exam—Detects swelling or pain
• Prostate massage—Fluid released from the prostate can be analyzed to test for chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pain syndrome
• Prostate biopsy—Used to rule out other conditions, but may find asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Treatment    TOP

Treatment depends on the type of prostatitis:

Prevention    TOP

There is no known way to prevent prostatitis.