UNDERSTANDING PROSTATITIS

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. The inflammation can be due to an infection as well as other various causes.

CLASSIFICATION OF PROSTATITIS:

⭕️ ACUTE BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS:

Caused by a bacterial infection, and it typically starts suddenly and may include flu-like symptoms. It is the least common of the four types of prostatitis.

⭕️CHRONIC BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS:

Described by recurrent bacterial infections of the prostate gland. Between attacks, the symptoms might be minor or the patient may even be symptom free; however, it can be difficult to treat.

⭕️CHRONIC PROSTATITIS/CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROME:

Most cases of prostatitis fall into this category; however, it is the least understood. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be described as inflammatory or noninflammatory, depending upon the presence or absence of infection-fighting cells in the urine, semen, and prostatic fluid. Often no specific cause can be identified. The symptoms can come and go or remain chronically.

⭕️ASYMPTOMATIC INFLAMMATORY PROSTATITIS:

This condition is often diagnosed incidentally during the workup for infertility or prostate cancer. Individuals with this form of prostatitis will not complain of symptoms or discomfort, but they will have the presence of infection-fighting cells present in semen/prostatic fluid.

The symptoms associated with prostatitis can vary depending on the underlying cause of prostatitis. The symptoms may appear slowly or come on quickly, and they may improve rapidly (depending on the cause and treatment available) or they may last for several months and they can keep recurring (chronic prostatitis). The rapidity and severity of onset is usually most pronounced with acute bacterial prostatitis.

The following are signs and symptoms that may be present with prostatitis:

✅ Painful, difficult and/or frequent urinating

✅ Blood in the urine

✅ Groin pain, rectal pain, abdominal pain and/or low back pain

✅ Fever and chills

✅ Malaise and body aches

✅ Urethral discharge

✅ Painful ejaculation or sexual dysfunction