Prostatitis

Condition Basics

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is swelling or infection of the prostate, Opens dialog. It's often painful. The prostate lies just below your bladder and makes part of the fluid for semen. Prostatitis can be chronic (long-lasting) or, less often, acute (short-term).

What causes it?

Sometimes prostatitis is caused by bacteria. But often the cause isn't known. When bacteria are the cause, they most likely enter the prostate by traveling through the urethra, Opens dialog. Or they may be introduced through the use of a urinary catheter, Opens dialog.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are often mild and start slowly over weeks or months. Symptoms of acute prostatitis usually start suddenly and are severe.

When you have prostatitis, you may have pain when you urinate or ejaculate. You may urinate often or have trouble starting a stream of urine. You may pass only a little urine and feel like your bladder isn't completely empty. With acute prostatitis, you may also have a fever and chills.

How is it diagnosed?

A doctor can often tell if you have prostatitis by asking about your symptoms. The doctor will do a physical exam, including a digital rectal exam, Opens dialog to feel the prostate. You may need blood and urine tests to check which type of prostatitis you have or to look for another cause of your problems.

How is prostatitis treated?

Treatment for chronic prostatitis usually starts with taking an antibiotic for several weeks. If you start to feel better, you may keep taking the medicine for 2 to 3 months. If you don't get better while taking antibiotics, more tests may be done.

You may need to try more than one treatment. Other treatments include muscle relaxers and medicines that slow the growth of the prostate.

Treatment may also include self-care, such as drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter, Opens dialog pain relievers.

Acute prostatitis is usually treated with antibiotics and with self-care, such as drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter, Opens dialog pain relievers. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to reduce pain and swelling or to soften your stool and relax your bladder muscles.

Information about Prostatitis

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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