Prostatitis is an infection or an inflammation with no signs of infection to the prostate. Having prostatitis does not raise the risk of getting prostate cancer.

Prostatitis can impact men of all ages. According to the National Institutes of Health, prostatitis may account for up to 25% of all office visits for complaints involving the genital and urinary systems from young and middle-aged men. Chronic prostatitis (which means it doesn't go away) is the number one reason men under the age of 50 visit a urologist. Chronic prostatitis may also be related to other urinary tract infections.

Repeated bladder infections are the primary symptoms of chronic infectious prostatitis.

Types Of Prostatitis

  • Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: A sudden bacterial infection marked by inflammation of the prostate. This is the least common form of prostatitis but the symptoms are usually severe. Patients with the condition have an acute urinary tract infection with increased urinary frequency and urgency, need to urinate a lot at night and have pain in the pelvis and genital area. They often have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and burning when urinating. Acute bacterial prostatitis requires prompt treatment, as the condition can lead to bladder infections, abscesses in the prostate or, in extreme cases, completely blocked urine flow. Left untreated, the condition can cause confusion and low blood pressure and may be fatal. The condition is usually treated in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics, pain relievers and fluids.
  • Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: This condition is the result of recurrent urinary tract infections that have entered the prostate gland. It is thought to exist for several years in some men before producing symptoms. The symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis, but are less severe and can fluctuate in intensity. The diagnosis of this condition is often challenging. It's often difficult to find the bacteria in the urine. Treatment includes antibiotics for four to twelve weeks and other treatment for pain. Sometime men are given suppressive low-dose, long-duration antibiotic therapy.

Prostatitis Causes
