Search results
Symptoms for acute bacterial prostatitis. If you have acute bacterial prostatitis the symptoms usually develop very quickly. They include: a high temperature (above 38°C), feeling feverish, sweating, chills and shivering. pain in the area between your testicles and back passage (perineum), the skin around your testicles (scrotum), your penis ...
nor does it mean there is an increased risk of developing prostate cancer in the future, but it can cause worrying symptoms. Table of contents Page Types of prostatitis 3 Acute bacterial prostatitis 5 Chronic bacterial prostatitis 8 Chronic pelvic pain syndrome 9 Treatment for CBP and CPPS 13 Coping with pain 14 Tips to relieve prostatitis 16
Chronic pelvic pain in men and chronic prostatitis are terms often used to describe the same thing. The full agreed title for both conditions is the chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). CPPS can affect both men and women. This page concentrates on the condition in men. CPPS in men causes repeat feelings of genital pain over a period of months ...
- Overview
- Types of chronic prostatitis
- Causes of chronic prostatitis
- Recognizing the symptoms of chronic prostatitis
- Diagnosing chronic prostatitis
- Treatment for chronic prostatitis
- Preventing chronic prostatitis
- Outlook
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, which can be acute or chronic. Chronic prostatitis can be triggered by a bacterial infection, but in many cases, the cause is unknown.
Prostatitis is considered chronic if the prostate inflammation lasts at least 3 months.
The prostate is a small gland located below the male bladder. It surrounds the urethra, produces a small amount of seminal fluid, and is important for the pH balance of semen.
Prostatitis may be caused by a bacterial infection, but there isn’t always an identifiable cause. It can produce uncomfortable symptoms such as burning during urination, a frequent need to urinate, and pain in the lower back. It can also trigger inflammation in the pelvis.
When a bacterial infection is a cause, it can be treated with antibiotics. When the cause is unknown, treating the symptoms may be the best course of action.
Even when the condition can’t be cured, males who receive treatment for chronic prostatitis can usually find relief from their symptoms.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
A bacterial bladder or prostate infection can lead to chronic prostatitis. This prostatitis can affect males of any age but is seen more often in younger and older adult males. About 5% to 10% of cases of prostatitis are bacterial.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)
With chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), inflammation develops in the pelvic area, causing chronic pain. CP/CPPS is the more common type of chronic prostatitis. Research shows CP/CPPS cases make up at least 90% of chronic prostatitis cases.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
This is a type of chronic prostatitis that has no symptoms. It’s usually discovered while undergoing other tests. It usually does not require treatment.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria getting to the prostate through the urethra. The urethra channels urine out of the body. A bacterial infection can also be caused by an infection originating in the bladder or a urinary catheter containing bacteria that is inserted into the bladder. A urinary catheter is a small, flexible tube placed in the body to collect and drain urine from the bladder. Some bacterial infections contribute to the formation of prostate stones that aren’t expelled during urination. Prostate stones are about the size of a poppy seed and aren’t always detectable in a physical examination. Infected prostate stones are a common cause of recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) and make curing chronic bacterial prostatitis very difficult.
CP/CPPS
The direct cause of CP/CPPS is likely abnormal functioning of the nerves and muscles in the pelvic area or an immune system attack on the prostate. Research suggests different potential triggers, one of which can be an infection in the bladder or prostate. However, CP/CPPS was previously called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis because markers of an infection are not always present. The pain becomes chronic and continues after the infection is treated and resolved.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
Since asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis doesn’t cause symptoms and is only evident in the results of laboratory tests, it is difficult to determine a cause.
If CP/CPPS is triggered by a bacterial infection, the symptoms can begin very similar to chronic bacterial prostatitis. They usually start out mild and build in intensity over time.
Symptoms include:
•a constant urge to urinate
•burning pain when urinating
•difficulty starting urination, followed by an uneven flow
•blood in the urine
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
During a DRE, or prostate exam, the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. This can help them determine if the prostate is tender or enlarged. A DRE may cause temporary pain or discomfort in men with prostatitis.
MRI
In some cases, a pelvic MRI may be used. An MRI can help your doctor: •view your pelvic anatomy in great detail •rule out prostate cancer as the cause of your symptoms •detect areas of prostate inflammation
Other tests
Once a diagnosis of chronic prostatitis is confirmed, your doctor will want to do further tests to determine the type and the cause, if possible. A test of your urine can help your doctor diagnose chronic bacterial prostatitis. The presence of bacteria is considered conclusive. However, if no bacteria are present in your urine, you may still have CP/CPPS. Your doctor may then wish to perform further tests to look for a cause, or they may refer you to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract. Further tests may include: •the examination of fluid excreted by the prostate •a blood test •cystoscopy, or the insertion of a small camera into the urethra for examination of the bladder, prostate, and urethra
Treatment for chronic bacterial prostatitis will depend on the type of infection you’re diagnosed with.
A long-term course of fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics, is usually the first treatment.
You may be required to take antibiotics for 4 to 12 weeks. About 75% of chronic bacterial prostatitis cases clear up with antibiotic treatment.
In most cases of CP/CPPS, the cause of the condition is unknown. This means that treatment typically involves using medications to reduce or eliminate symptoms, reduce inflammation, or relieve certain urinary symptoms.
These include:
•alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax)
Bacterial forms of chronic prostatitis can be prevented with good hygiene. When the penis is kept clean, the risk of bacteria entering the urethra is lower. Learn more about penis health.
You can also prevent chronic bacterial prostatitis by drinking plenty of fluids to encourage regular urination and treating urinary tract or bladder infections as soon as they arise.
Chronic prostatitis can be an ongoing, painful condition. Depending on the cause, it may not be curable, but there are ways to manage the symptoms. Unless you experience discomfort, you can also continue having sexual intercourse.
In addition, according to the American Urological Association, having prostatitis does not increase your risk of prostate cancer.
While you’re in the process of getting a diagnosis or during treatment, you may experience anxiety or depression triggered by your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about treatments to improve your mental health. You can consider trying anxiety medication and antidepressants.
Joining a support group, getting private counseling, or participating in behavioral therapy can help you cope with the condition.
Mar 1, 2023 · CP/CPPS symptoms last 3 months or longer and can fluctuate in severity from mild to severe. If you have CP/CPPS, you may experience: pain in your pelvis, lower back, or rectum. pain around your ...
- Adrienne Santos-Longhurst
Apr 11, 2024 · Treatments for Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. The treatment of CP/CPPS usually begins with a combination of three medications: an antibiotic, an alpha-blocker like Flomax (tamsulosin), and a pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). Sometimes, a medication to treat nerve pain ...
People also ask
What does CP/CPPS stand for?
What does CPPs feel like?
Is CP/CPPS a bacterial infection?
What causes CP/CPPS?
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is characterized by pelvic or perineal pain without evidence of urinary tract infection, [ 8 ] lasting longer than 3 months, [ 9 ] as the key symptom. Symptoms may wax and wane. Pain can range from mild to debilitating. Pain may radiate to the back and rectum, making sitting uncomfortable.
