Prostatitis
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, the gland located under the man's urinary bladder that helps produce semen. It is one of the most common disorders of the male genitourinary system.
What symptoms does it present?
Symptoms vary depending on whether the prostatitis is caused by a bacterium or if it has no bacterial origin. The most frequent symptoms that may suggest that there is an inflammation of the prostate are urinary:
- feeling a burning, stinging or itching when urinating
- frequent need to urinate
- blood in the urine
In addition, prostatitis can cause fever and chills.
If you have any of the symptoms above, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
In cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis, other symptoms may occur such as:
- discomfort in the testicles
- painful ejaculation
- erectile dysfunction
- loss of libido
Causes of prostatitis or why it occurs
In most cases acute prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection. For chronic prostatitis, it is not clear what the cause is. Your are more likely to develop acute prostatitis if:
- you use a urinary catheter
- you have a sexually transmitted infection or HIV
- you injure your pelvis
Chronic prostatitis is more common among men between the ages of 30 and 50, and you are more likely to have prostatitis if it is has occurred before.
Can it be prevented?
Not all types of prostatitis can be prevented. However, good personal hygiene and practising safe sex is essential to prevent bacteria from spreading to the prostate and causing it to swell.
What is the treatment?
When the cause is an infection, prostatitis is treated with antibiotics for several weeks to remove the prostate bacteria. Generally, treatment lasts between four and six weeks, lengthening the time if necessary.
In cases of acute prostatitis, the patient may need to be hospitalised and receive antibiotics through the serum.
Articles related to
When is prostatitis an emergency?
By Mr Andrew Ballaro
2019-11-20
10-15% of men are estimated to develop symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives, so it is important to know what you should be looking for, and make sure you act to receive the appropriate treatment. Mr Andrew Ballaro, expert urologist, explains more about the signs and symptoms. See more
Prostatitis: is there a link to infertility or prostate cancer?
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Prostatitis is a common bacterial infection, which can be treated with a course of antibiotics. But you may be wondering, can it affect male fertility if left untreated and is there a tie with prostate cancer. Leading urologist Mr Andrew Ballaro answers these questions and more. See more
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Male pelvic pain syndrome, also known as prostatitis, can affect men who are in their 20s right up to those who are middle-aged. Leading urologist Mr Keng Ng explains the symptoms and what they can feel like. See more
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BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), also known as prostate enlargement, produces urinary symptoms including a frequent urge to urinate, an inability to fully empty the bladder and difficulty starting to urinate. Alongside these symptoms, having BPH can lead to urinary tract infections (UTI). Mr Jeremy Crew, a top urologist, explains these symptoms. See more
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