Prostatitis is swelling and irritation of the prostate gland. The condition is called bacterial prostatitis when it is caused by an infection with bacteria.
Acute bacterial prostatitis starts quickly.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis lasts for 3 months or more.
Ongoing irritation of the prostate that is not caused by bacteria is called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
Chronic prostatitis - bacterial; Acute prostatitis
Prostatitis is most often caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Any bacteria that can cause a urinary tract infection can cause acute bacterial prostatitis.
Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause bacterial prostatitis. These include chlamydia and gonorrhea. STDs are more likely to occur from:
Certain sexual practices, such as having anal sex without wearing a condom
Having many sexual partners
In men over age 35, E. coli and other common bacteria usually cause prostatitis. This type of prostatitis may occur after:
Epididymitis
Urethritis
Urinary tract infections
Acute prostatitis may also be caused by problems with the urethra or prostate, such as:
Bladder outlet obstruction
Foreskin of the penis that cannot be pulled back (phimosis)
Injury to the area between the scrotum and anus (perineum)
Urinary catheter, cystoscopy, or prostate biopsy (removing a piece of tissue to look for cancer)
Men age 50 or older who have an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) have a higher risk for prostatitis. The prostate gland may become blocked. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow. Symptoms of chronic prostatitis can be similar to symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland.
Back to TopSymptoms
Symptoms of acute prostatitis can start quickly, and can include:
Chills
Fever
Flushing of the skin
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are similar, but not as severe. They often begin more slowly. Some people have no symptoms between episodes of prostatitis.
Urinary symptoms include:
Blood in the urine
Burning or pain with urination (dysuria)
Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder
Foul-smelling urine
Weak urine stream
Other symptoms that may occur with this condition:
Pain or achiness in the abdomen above the pubic bone, in the lower back, in the area between the genitals and anus, or in the testicles
Pain with ejaculation or blood in the semen
Pain with bowel movements
If prostatitis occurs with an infection in or around the testicles (epididymitis or orchitis), you may also have symptoms of that condition.
Antibiotics are often used to treat prostate infections.
For acute prostatitis, you will take antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks.
For chronic prostatitis, you will take antibiotics for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Because the infection can come back, you may need to take medicine for up to 12 weeks.
Often, the infection will not go away even after taking antibiotics for a long time. Your symptoms may come back when you stop the medicine.
If your swollen prostate gland makes it hard to empty your bladder, you may need a tube to empty it. The tube may be inserted through your abdomen (suprapubic catheter) or from inside your body (indwelling catheter).
To care for prostatitis at home:
Urinate often and completely.
Take warm baths to relieve pain.
Take stool softeners to make bowel movements more comfortable.
Avoid substances that irritate your bladder, such as alcohol, caffeinated foods and drinks, citrus juices, and hot or spicy foods.
Drink more fluid (64 - 128 ounces per day) to urinate often and help flush bacteria out of your bladder.
Get checked by your health care provider after you finish taking your antibiotic treatment to make sure the infection is gone.
Acute bacterial prostatitis starts quickly.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis lasts for 3 months or more.
Ongoing irritation of the prostate that is not caused by bacteria is called chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
Chronic prostatitis - bacterial; Acute prostatitis
Prostatitis is most often caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Any bacteria that can cause a urinary tract infection can cause acute bacterial prostatitis.
Some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can cause bacterial prostatitis. These include chlamydia and gonorrhea. STDs are more likely to occur from:
Certain sexual practices, such as having anal sex without wearing a condom
Having many sexual partners
In men over age 35, E. coli and other common bacteria usually cause prostatitis. This type of prostatitis may occur after:
Epididymitis
Urethritis
Urinary tract infections
Acute prostatitis may also be caused by problems with the urethra or prostate, such as:
Bladder outlet obstruction
Foreskin of the penis that cannot be pulled back (phimosis)
Injury to the area between the scrotum and anus (perineum)
Urinary catheter, cystoscopy, or prostate biopsy (removing a piece of tissue to look for cancer)
Men age 50 or older who have an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) have a higher risk for prostatitis. The prostate gland may become blocked. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow. Symptoms of chronic prostatitis can be similar to symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland.
Back to TopSymptoms
Symptoms of acute prostatitis can start quickly, and can include:
Chills
Fever
Flushing of the skin
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are similar, but not as severe. They often begin more slowly. Some people have no symptoms between episodes of prostatitis.
Urinary symptoms include:
Blood in the urine
Burning or pain with urination (dysuria)
Difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder
Foul-smelling urine
Weak urine stream
Other symptoms that may occur with this condition:
Pain or achiness in the abdomen above the pubic bone, in the lower back, in the area between the genitals and anus, or in the testicles
Pain with ejaculation or blood in the semen
Pain with bowel movements
If prostatitis occurs with an infection in or around the testicles (epididymitis or orchitis), you may also have symptoms of that condition.
Antibiotics are often used to treat prostate infections.
For acute prostatitis, you will take antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks.
For chronic prostatitis, you will take antibiotics for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Because the infection can come back, you may need to take medicine for up to 12 weeks.
Often, the infection will not go away even after taking antibiotics for a long time. Your symptoms may come back when you stop the medicine.
If your swollen prostate gland makes it hard to empty your bladder, you may need a tube to empty it. The tube may be inserted through your abdomen (suprapubic catheter) or from inside your body (indwelling catheter).
To care for prostatitis at home:
Urinate often and completely.
Take warm baths to relieve pain.
Take stool softeners to make bowel movements more comfortable.
Avoid substances that irritate your bladder, such as alcohol, caffeinated foods and drinks, citrus juices, and hot or spicy foods.
Drink more fluid (64 - 128 ounces per day) to urinate often and help flush bacteria out of your bladder.
Get checked by your health care provider after you finish taking your antibiotic treatment to make sure the infection is gone.
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