Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a disease of the prostate gland. The prostate is the male reproductive gland that surrounds the urethra and produces the fluid that carries sperm. There are various forms of prostatitis that cause pain in the groin and difficultly urinating. Prostatitis is divided into four categories.

Types of Prostatitis

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Chronic Prostatitis
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis will vary based on the type of prostatitis you are diagnosed with. However, several of the following symptoms are generally present. In the instance of Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis, however, no symptoms are present and inflammation of the prostate is discovered by chance during other testing.

Symptoms of Prostatitis

Pain while urinating
Frequent urination
Difficulty emptying the bladder
Ongoing urge to urinate
Pain in the abdomen
Pain in the lower back
Pain between the rectum and penis
Discomfort in the testicles
Painful ejaculations
Pelvic pain
Frequent urinary tract infections (seen in Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis)
High Fever (generally associated with Bacterial Prostatitis)
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting

Diagnosing prostatitis involves your doctor ruling out other possible conditions and determining exactly what kind of prostatitis you are experiencing. Diagnosis prostatitis includes a general exam and may include urine and semen testing, a rectal exam, a urodynamic test of the bladder or a cystoscopy.

Treatments recommended for prostatitis will depend on the type of disease you are determined to have.

Treatments of Prostatitis

Antibiotics (used for Acute and Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis)
Alpha blockers
Diuretics
Pain relievers
Soaking in a warm bath
Sitting on a pillow
Instructions to avoid alcohol and caffeine
Instructions to avoid spicy food

Extreme cases that don't respond to medication or preventive measures can require surgery. You doctor will review your individual case history before making this determination.