Inflammation of the prostate

Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) is one of the most common urological diseases in men. Prostatitis occurs in either an acute or chronic form. Acute prostatitis is less common and is accompanied by more serious symptoms. However, up to 90% of prostatitis cases are non-bacterial chronic prostatitis, also known as the chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). Prostatitis ranks first as the most common reason for symptoms with which patients decide to consult their urologist.

Causes of prostatitis and risk factors:

There are several reasons why the disease occurs.

• Inflammation can present a bacterial origin, when an infection has entered the urogenital tract.
• Prostatitis can also develop as a result of treating another disease when a catheter is inserted into the patient’s urethra.
• Nerve damage during surgery or trauma can also be one of the potential causes.
• Men who have had inflammation of the bladder or other parts of the urinary tract, are at higher risk of developing prostatitis.
• An enlarged prostate or other abnormalities in the urinary tract are also a risk factor.
• Prostatitis can also occur after unprotected anal intercourse.
• Men who have undergone various invasive tests such as prostate biopsies are at higher risk.

What are the symptoms?

Acute prostatitis is less common and is accompanied by more serious symptoms – it can make itself known by causing a more frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, urethral discharge. The patient may have a fever, sometimes chills, and they can also experience dull pain in the groin or lower abdomen during bowel movements and intercourse. Erectile dysfunction, painful orgasm or blood in seminal fluid are also common signs.

Difficulty urinating and the pain described above are also symptoms of chronic inflammation, usually in a milder form, which is why patients might be hesitant to see a doctor.

Exam and diagnosis

Given the fact that the prostate is especially sensitive as well as prone to diseases, the symptoms of inflammation can be very vague and the examination preceding the diagnosis is very complex. It combines a rectal examination of the prostate, an ultrasound of the genitourinary system and a laboratory examination of urine, urethral swabs and in some cases ejaculate.

You can ask your doctor about:

• The probable cause of the inflammation.
• Other causes that may have caused your complications.
• The tests you will need to undergo.
• The treatment they suggested for you.
• Other treatment options that might suit you better.

Treatment

For bacterial prostatitis, the doctor will prescribe you antibiotics. For severe acute inflammation, your doctor may consider hospitalization.

For chronic prostatitis, treatment is individualized according to what is suspected to be the main cause of the symptom (as the exact cause is difficult to determine). Drugs to improve emptying of the bladder and help impaired pelvic floor function (alpha-blockers), anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers. In severe cases, where the swollen prostate blocks the flow of urine, surgical removal of the affected part of the gland is sometimes necessary.