Understanding and treating prostatitis
Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate — and it can affect men of all ages. With proper diagnosis to identify which form you have, the right treatment combination can bring meaningful relief. Our urology team approaches prostatitis with both medical expertise and care for what this condition can put men through.
Understanding the prostate and prostatitis
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It helps make fluid for semen — which protects and energizes sperm.
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate that most often is felt in and around the pelvic zone. It can happen to men of all ages — and exists on a spectrum with pelvic pain.
Three main types
Per the National Institute of Health, prostatitis exists on a spectrum with pelvic pain. The type and duration of your symptoms — combined with lab values — help your doctor pinpoint which form you have.
Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
A bacterial infection of the prostate where symptoms come on quickly:
Symptoms: fever, chills, urinary changes, ejaculatory pain, and pain in the pelvis or nearby areas.
Antibiotics often lead to quick relief.
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Also a bacterial infection — but with a more gradual onset that can take longer to treat:
Symptoms: fever and chills are uncommon, but pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, and ejaculatory pain may still occur.
Longer course of antibiotics, often combined with other therapies.
Nonbacterial Prostatitis
Inflammation without bacterial infection — may be from stress, nerve irritation, injuries, or past UTIs.
Includes CP/CPPS: chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, where pain can last weeks to years. May relate to pelvic muscles. NOT an infection.
Multi-modal approach beyond antibiotics.
What raises the risk of bacterial prostatitis
The exact cause of prostatitis isn’t always known, but several factors can raise the risk of bacterial infection.
Bladder Infection
Recent UTI can spread to the prostate
Catheter Use
Urinary catheters can introduce bacteria
Sexually-Acquired Infection
Infections transmitted through sexual contact
Urinary Tract Problem
Structural or functional urinary issues
Not all pelvic pain is prostatitis
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, it’s important to know that several other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Proper evaluation is essential to identify the actual source — and the right treatment depends on the right diagnosis.
How prostatitis is diagnosed
Your healthcare provider may start by asking detailed questions about your pain. Several diagnostic tools help identify the exact cause.
Digital Rectal Exam
Physical examination to check the prostate
Transrectal Ultrasound
Imaging to visualize the prostate
Cystoscopy
Examination of the urinary system
Lab Tests
Checking urine or prostate fluid for bacteria
Urodynamics
Urine flow study to identify blockages
From antibiotics to multi-modal care
Treatment depends on your symptoms, lab results, and what we find during your visit. Many patients benefit from combining several approaches.
Antibiotics
Often the first step to kill any bacteria responsible for the infection. The length of treatment depends on whether it’s acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Alpha-blockers & anti-inflammatories
Alpha-blockers may help relax the muscles around the prostate and at the base of the bladder. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain from inflammation in the prostate or surrounding muscles.
Prostatic massage
A technique to ease pressure in the prostate by helping drain fluid from the prostate ducts — useful for certain types of chronic prostatitis.
Pelvic floor physical therapy
A specialized approach to learn how to relax tense pelvic floor muscles. Particularly valuable for CP/CPPS and nonbacterial prostatitis, where muscle tension contributes to pain.
Home care methods
Many methods can help reduce pain day-to-day: hot baths, hot water bottles, heating pads, and a donut-shaped pillow for sitting comfortably.
Lifestyle changes & acupuncture
Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, diet changes, relaxation techniques, targeted exercises) help ease symptoms. Acupuncture — where thin needles are placed at specific points — can also help reduce pain in some patients.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery on the urethra or prostate may be necessary. For surgery to be effective, there must be a clearly identifiable trackable problem causing the pain.
Get the right diagnosis.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, urinary changes, or other prostate-related symptoms, get evaluated. The right diagnosis is the first step to the right treatment.