Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the term used to describe the state of a man who has problems with the prostate. The article describes the condition in detail.

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland

Prostatitis is a common name for the symptoms caused by an inflammation of the prostate gland or similar symptoms. This means that sometimes similar symptoms develop as in the case of an inflammation of the prostate gland, but there’s no evidence of an infection.  Young men are often more likely to have the inflammation because of two reasons:

• reflux of urine into the prostate gland, particularly under physical strain (chemical infection),
• bacterial infection.

The major causes of prostate diseases are also taking too little exercise, having occasional sex with different partners, often sitting in a car, contracting numerous infections and taking drugs without supervision.

Doctors have therefore decided to distinguish among four types of prostatitis.

Acute bacterial prostatitis

As the name implies, the condition is caused by bacteria. The symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis include lower abdominal pain, pressure on the perianal region, urinary disorder – frequency, urgency, pain and burning on passing of urine, painful ejaculation of semen, extreme tenderness of the prostate, fever (high temperature) and shivers. The treatment for bacterial prostatitis includes antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, hot baths and laxatives.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic bacterial prostatitis usually develops as continuation of acute bacterial prostatitis, especially if it hasn’t been cured completely. Patients no longer have fever, and they feel a slight sensation of pressure on the perineum, have back pain, and experience problems with their sex life. Therefore, if you had acute bacterial prostatitis and show the above symptoms, you have to see your doctor again to check your semen and urine. You will get additional antibiotics.

Nonbacterial prostatitis

Non-bacterial prostatitis is identical to bacterial prostatitis, except that the source of symptoms is uncertain. Pain should last at least three months. The condition is determined by excluding all other possible causes, such as acute bacterial prostatitis. The condition is more likely to develop in young and sexually active men that already had urethritis. It’s assumed that it spreads through sexual contact. Treatment is difficult and doctors generally try to find an effective antimicrobial substance.

Prostadynia

Prostadynia is the state of a patient who has the signs and symptoms of prostatitis, but there’s no evidence of an infection. As usually there’s no infection, the condition cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Read more about prostate problems in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality.