Prostatitis is a swelling or inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder in men.
Symptoms of prostatitis: |
Some men with prostatitis may not have any symptoms, or may have mild symptoms that come and go. However, prostatitis can affect your urinary and sexual health, and may increase your risk of prostate cancer.
The symptoms of prostatitis depend on the type and cause of the condition. Some common symptoms include:
⦁ Pain or burning sensation when urinating or ejaculating ⦁ Frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night ⦁ Difficulty starting or stopping the urine stream ⦁ Cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine ⦁ Pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, groin, or back ⦁ Fever, chills, and muscle aches (with acute bacterial prostatitis) |
Prostatitis is not contagious and is not a sexually transmitted disease. However, some types of prostatitis may impact sexual function or fertility. Prostatitis is not a direct indicator of prostate cancer, but it may elevate the risk of developing it.
Types and causes of prostatitis: There are four main types of prostatitis, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatments. |
⦁ Acute bacterial prostatitis: The least common type of prostatitis, and it is caused by a bacterial infection. It is typically characterized by sudden, severe symptoms, such as fever, chills, pain, and urinary urgency and frequency.
⦁ Chronic bacterial prostatitis: This is a recurrent or persistent infection of the prostate, usually caused by bacteria that are not completely eliminated by antibiotics. It can cause frequent or painful urination, pelvic pain, and urinary tract infections.
⦁ Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: This is a type of prostatitis that does not cause any symptoms, but shows signs of inflammation in the prostate. It is usually detected by tests for other conditions, such as infertility or prostate cancer. It does not need treatment. |
⦁ Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: The most common type of prostatitis, but its cause is not well understood. It can cause chronic or intermittent pain in the pelvis, genitals, or perineum, as well as urinary symptoms. It's thought to be related to a variety of factors, including inflammation, nerve damage, stress, or other factors.
