Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Prostatitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the prostate, a walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing the fluid portion of semen. Prostatitis can also involve inflammation in areas adjacent to the prostate (though this cannot happen without inflammation of the prostate first).
Male prostate and surrounding structures.
Interestingly, the symptoms of prostatitis can include pain in the male genitourinary system, or it may be completely painless. There are several variations of the condition. Prostatitis treatment, symptoms, and likeliness depend on the type of prostatitis that one experiences.
Types of Prostatitis
There are four types of prostatitis.
ChronicProstatitis, or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS)
The exact underlying origin of chronic, or long-term, prostatitis is unknown, but researchers believe it may be linked to the immune system’s response to a previous UTI (urinary tract infection).
Chronic prostatitis is the most common type of prostatitis, impacting 10 to 15 percent of males in the United States.
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
This type of prostatitis involves symptoms (such as pain) which are usually severe and come on suddenly.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
A type of prostatitis that is not associated with pain or any other symptoms. The condition oftentimes is found unexpectedly in laboratory results when a person is being tested for urinary tract or reproductive disorders, such as fertility problems. It is usually not treated.
Prostatitis Symptoms
Symptoms of (CP/CPPS)
CP/CPPS involves pain (lasting three months or longer) in one or more areas, including:
Other symptoms of CP/CPPS may include:
The pain experienced as a result of CP/CPPS may occur in one or more areas at a time, it may appear suddenly or come on gradually.
Symptoms of Acute Prostatitis
Acute prostatitisusually occurs suddenly and involves:
Symptoms of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
While some symptoms occur in multiple types of prostatitis, others are unique to each kind.
Prostatitis accounts for two million visits to healthcare providers each year in the United States, according to theNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. In men under age 50, prostatitis is said to be the most common urinary tract condition. In men over age 50, it’s the third most common urinary tract problem.
There are several factors that put a person at higher risk for getting prostatitis, including:
In conversations with your healthcare provider, it’s important to share the details of your medical history so that your practitioner can assess your risk.
In addition to your medical history and a physical rectal exam to check for abnormalities of the prostate, a healthcare provider may recommend prostatitis treatment based on the results of a battery of tests.
The detection and diagnosis of asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is usually made as a result of lab test results (such as a urinalysis orPSA testto evaluate the risk of prostate cancer). Your healthcare provider will do workup to ensure there are no other causes to your symptoms before determining it as asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
Just like the symptoms and characteristics of the condition differ according to the type of prostatitis, so too do prostatitis treatment strategies.
Chronic Prostatitis Treatment (CS/CPPS)
Other medications that may be prescribed include:
Supplements that may be useful include:
Other Types of Prostatitis Treatment for CS/CPPS
Some at-home strategies may also help, including:
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis Treatment
Antibiotics are considered the gold standard of treatment for bacterial types (chronic and acute) of prostatitis. Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed for at least 14 days. If symptoms recur, oral antibiotics may be prescribed for up to six to eight weeks. In severe cases of bacterial prostatitis, hospitalization may be required so that IV antibiotics can be given.
In addition to antibiotics, changes in the diet may include avoiding foods that irritate the bladder, including caffeinated beverages, acidic foods, and spicy foods.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis Treatment
Although antibiotics are given for both acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, a longer course may be prescribed for the chronic type of bacterial prostatitis. In fact, a low dose of antibiotics may be given for up to six months, according to theNIDDK. Just like in the treatment of acute bacterial type prostatitis, a diet change, eliminating foods that irritate the bladder and increasing fluids, may be ordered.
Another prostatitis treatment that may be recommended for the chronic bacterial type is surgical removal of enlarged prostate tissue or scar tissue in the urethra. This can help improve the urine flow and reduce symptoms of urinary retention.
Asymptomatic Prostatitis Treatment
As the name of the condition indicates, there are typically no symptoms of pain or urinary problems associated with asymptomatic prostatitis, but there is inflammation of the prostate. Oftentimes, however, when a urinalysis is done, bacteria and other organisms are discovered in the urine. In this instance, the healthcare provider will usually prescribe antibiotics.
Studies have discovered a link between asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis and the PSA level. In fact,one reportshowed that as many as one-third of men with increased PSA levels have asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. A PSA level, also known as prostate-specific antigen level, is one indicator that a man could have an increased risk of prostate cancer. After a biopsy is performed to rule out prostate cancer, a diagnosis of asymptomatic prostatitis may be considered.
Complications of prostatitis may occur, particularly when prostatitis treatment is postponed. These may include:
If acute prostatitis does not respond well enough to antibiotic treatment, prostatitis is likely to recur, making it more difficult to treat and longer term. In this scenario, acute prostatitis transforms into chronic (long-term) prostatitis.
You should discuss any complications you’re experiencing with your healthcare provider. They may be able to recommend strategies for improving the complication, or at least preventing it from getting worse.
Are There Health Benefits of a Prostate Massage?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Paulis G.Inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress in prostatitis: the possible role of antioxidant therapy.Res Rep Urol. 2018;10:75-87. doi:10.2147/RRU.S170400
Punyala A, Sze C, Winograd J, et al.Saw palmetto treatment for prostatitis: a systematic review of the literature.JU Open Plus. 2024;2(2). doi:10.1097/JU9.0000000000000108
NIDDK Staff. Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate.What is prostatitis?U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Smith, C.P., (2016). Male chronic pelvic pain: An update.Indian Journal of Urology; 32 (1): 34-30. DOI:10.4103/0970-1591.173105
NIDDK Staff. Prostatitis: Inflammation of the Prostate.What is prostatitis?U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.
Smith, C.P., (2016). Male chronic pelvic pain: An update.Indian Journal of Urology; 32 (1): 34-30. DOI:10.4103/0970-1591.173105
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
