Understanding Prostatitis
Comprehensive information about prostatitis, its types, symptoms, causes, and treatment options
What is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is a group of conditions that includes acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). It can cause infection, inflammation and pain in the prostate gland. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis doesn't cause symptoms. Acute (sudden) prostatitis is a medical emergency.
Prostatitis is inflammation of your prostate gland. Your prostate gland sits below your bladder, in front of your rectum. Your urethra (the tube that carries pee and semen out of your body) runs through the center of your prostate.
If you have one of the four types of prostatitis, the tissue in and around your prostate gland becomes swollen, tender and irritated. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bacterial infections can cause certain types of prostatitis, but some have no cause. There are treatments that help manage your symptoms.
Types of Prostatitis
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
A bacterial infection causes acute prostatitis. Symptoms include fever and chills. You may experience painful and frequent urination or have trouble urinating. Acute bacterial prostatitis requires medical treatment with antibiotics. Acute means it comes on suddenly.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Bacteria also cause this type of prostatitis. Symptoms may come on gradually, and it can take longer to treat. Unlike acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis doesn't usually cause fever and chills. You'll still have symptoms like pain when you pee or difficulty urinating.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)
CPPS is the most common type of prostatitis. It occurs in approximately 1 out of 3 men. As the name implies, this type causes chronic pain in your pelvis, perineum (the area between your scrotum and rectum) and genitals. Pain from CPPS can last months or years. It's not an infection.
Nonbacterial Prostatitis
This condition causes prostate gland inflammation but no symptoms. You may learn you have this condition after getting tests to find the cause of other symptoms. This type doesn't need treatment and isn't an infection.
How Common is Prostatitis?
Men see a healthcare provider every year for prostatitis symptoms
Of men will have symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives
Most common urinary tract issue in men under 50
Symptoms and Causes
Common Symptoms
Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the type and cause. It's important to see a healthcare provider if you feel pain in your pelvis or experience urination changes.
Note: Acute bacterial prostatitis causes flu-like symptoms like fever, body aches and chills.
Causes and Risk Factors
CPPS and Nonbacterial Causes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Pelvic floor muscle damage
- Pelvic nerve irritation or inflammation
- Stress
Bacterial Prostatitis Causes
- Bladder infections or stones
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Using a urinary catheter
- Prostate biopsy or stones
- UTIs and urinary retention
Treatment and Management
UPOINT System for CPPS
For chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), healthcare providers may use the UPOINT system to classify symptoms into six categories. Approximately 80% of people with CPPS improve with this system.
Urinary
Medications like tamsulosin (Flomax®) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral®) relax muscles around prostate and bladder
Psychosocial
Stress management, counseling, or medications for anxiety and depression
Organ
Quercetin and bee pollen supplements may relieve swollen, inflamed prostate gland
Infection
Some providers use antibiotics as part of treatment for CPPS
Neurologic
Prescription pain medicines like amitriptyline (Elavil®) and gabapentin (Gralise®)
Tenderness
Pelvic floor physical therapy with myofascial release to ease muscle tension
Home Treatment Options
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