All men have a walnut-shaped gland that is referred to as the prostate. It is located right below your bladder and in front of your rectum. The prostate is responsible for making the fluid that contains sperm. Prostatitis can occur in men of all ages, but it mainly affects those that are 50 or younger. This condition isn’t cancer, and it is different from having an enlarged prostate.

Symptoms

  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
  • Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination
  • Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Cloudy urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back
  • Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)
  • Pain or discomfort in the penis or testicles
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Flu-like signs and symptoms (with bacterial prostatitis)

Causes

When bacteria from your urine leaks into your prostate, an infection occurs. This infection can often cause acute bacterial prostatitis. In order to treat the infection, antibiotics are used. If the bacteria isn’t eliminated, prostatitis may recur or be difficult to treat which is referred to as chronic bacterial prostatitis. Prostatitis not caused by infection can occur due to nerve damage in the lower urinary tract from surgery or trauma to the area. In some cases, the cause can’t be identified.

Risk Factors

  • Being young or middle-aged
  • Having had prostatitis
  • Having an infection in the bladder or the tube that transports semen and urine to the penis (urethra)
  • Having pelvic trauma, such as an injury from bicycling or horseback riding
  • Using a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder (urinary catheter)
  • Having HIV/AIDS
  • Having had a prostate biopsy

Treatment

Antibiotics: This is the most commonly used treatment. Your doctor will choose the medication that is best for the type of bacteria that caused your infection.

Alpha Blockers: These are medications used to help relax the bladder neck along with the muscle fibers where your bladder joins your prostate. This option may ease symptoms, especially painful urination.

Biofeedback: This method will help you learn how to control certain body functions, including relaxing your muscles. In order to achieve this, a biofeedback specialist uses signals from monitoring equipment.

Acupuncture: Skinny needles are inserted into your skin at various parts of your body.

Your doctor can help decide which treatment option is best for you.

Prevention

  • Practice good hygiene, and keep your penis clean
  • Drink enough fluids to cause regular urination
  • Seek early treatment of a possible urinary tract infection