Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate Gland)

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is swelling and tenderness of a man’s prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of a man's reproductive system. It is, on average, a little bigger than a walnut. It is located between the base of the bladder and the beginning of the penis. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra. (The urethra carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.) The prostate makes the fluid that nourishes and carries sperm.

Prostatitis is a common problem.

What is the cause?

Sometimes prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Usually the bacteria come from other infected parts of the urinary tract, such as the bladder or kidneys. The bacteria can spread to the prostate through the urethra after sex with someone who is infected. The bacteria can also spread to the prostate through the bloodstream.

More often the prostate gets swollen and tender (inflamed) without infection. It may be a chronic, ongoing problem. Often the cause is not known.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms can vary. When bacteria are the cause, you have clear signs of illness and you need to get treatment promptly. The symptoms of a bacterial infection most often are:

• fever
• chills
• sweats
• lower back pain or groin

You may have:

• pain behind the scrotum
• pain when you urinate
• frequent and urgent urination
• pain when you have a bowel movement

It may be hard for you to pass urine.

When the problem is not caused by a bacterial infection, the symptoms are less clear. They happen more slowly and are milder. They may include:

• slight discomfort when you urinate, often felt at the base of the penis in the area between the scrotum and anus
• mild lower backache
• aches in the penis, scrotum, or middle to lower belly
• pain during or after the release of semen during sex
• small amounts of blood in the semen

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. Your provider will examine your abdomen and scrotum to check for other possible problems. Tests you may have are:

• a rectal exam
• tests of a sample of urine
• tests of fluid from the prostate

Your provider may ask you to give a urine sample before a rectal exam of the prostate. During the rectal exam, your provider will press on the prostate. This will cause fluid from the prostate to enter your urinary tract. After the rectal exam you will provide another sample of urine. This will help your provider know if the prostate or the urinary tract is infected.

Your provider may conclude that bacteria are not the cause if you have symptoms but neither the urine culture nor the prostate fluid show evidence of infection.

How is it treated?

A bacterial infection is treated with antibiotic medicine. For severe symptoms, you may need to spend some time in the hospital for intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

The symptoms of an infection usually get better with antibiotics in a few days. Symptoms may come back if the antibiotic doesn’t kill all of the bacteria. Symptoms may also come back if bacteria from the urinary tract or from sexual contact reinfect the prostate. If this happens, you may need to take antibiotics again.

After an infection is treated you may have X-rays or ultrasound scans of your urinary tract. These images of your pelvic area help rule out causes or complications of prostatitis, such as kidney infection or an abscess of the prostate gland.

Sometimes an antibiotic or hot baths can help treat prostatitis that is not caused by bacteria. You may find that some foods, such as spicy foods or foods that contain caffeine, and alcohol seem to cause prostate symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider if it might help to avoid these foods.

How can I help prevent prostatitis?

• Avoid sexually transmitted infections to lower the risk of prostatitis. For example, use latex or polyurethane condoms during sex. Have just 1 sexual partner who does not have sex with anyone else.
• Practice good hygiene. If you are a man who has not been circumcised, good hygiene includes gently pulling back the foreskin to wash the tip of the penis every time you bathe or shower. This helps to prevent urinary tract infections, which can lead to prostatitis.
• Get prompt treatment of any urinary tract problems. This lowers the chance of prostate infection.