What is prostatitis?
The prostate is a gland below the bladder in men responsible for producing seminal fluid to nourish and transport sperm. A swollen and inflamed prostate is a condition called prostatitis. Prostatitis can affect men of any age but is most common in men under the age of 50. There are several types of prostatitis, including:
Acute bacterial prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis comes on suddenly and causes flu-like symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, and chills. It’s caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
If antibiotics don’t eliminate the bacteria in your body that causes prostatitis, you can end up with recurring prostatitis. Your symptoms may be minor or completely go away in between bouts of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the most common form of prostatitis and isn’t caused by bacteria. The exact cause of this type of prostatitis is hard to pinpoint. For some men, the symptoms maintain the same level of severity all the time, while others with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome have cycles where symptoms are more or less severe.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis has no symptoms and is only found when undergoing tests for other health problems. Since there are no symptoms, you don’t require treatment for this form of prostatitis.
What are prostatitis symptoms?
Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the type of prostatitis you have, but common symptoms include:
- Painful or burning sensation during urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Cloudy-colored urine
- Frequent urination
- Urgent urination
- Abdominal pain
- Groin pain
- Back pain
- Pain between rectum and scrotum
- Discomfort or pain in the penis or testicles
- Painful ejaculation
- Flu-like symptoms
You should schedule an appointment with Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina if you experience pelvic pain with difficult or painful urination or painful ejaculation. Some forms of prostatitis cause other health problems if left untreated.
What causes prostatitis?
The causes of prostatitis may include bacterial infections, such as when urine leaks into your prostate, or nerve damage in your lower urinary tract caused by trauma or surgery in the area. Some forms of prostatitis have unidentified causes.
How is prostatitis treated?
Many types of prostatitis are treatable with home remedies. If you experience prostatitis symptoms, try the following:
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid caffeine
- Soak in a warm bath
- Use a heating pad
- Avoid prolonged sitting
- Increase caffeine-free fluid intake
If home remedies don’t provide relief from your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or intravenous antibiotics for severe symptoms, or anti-inflammatory agents. For diagnosis and relief of prostatitis symptoms, schedule an appointment online or call the practice.
