Prostatitis is a group of conditions that includes acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). It can cause infection, inflammation and pain in the prostate gland. Men with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis don’t have symptoms. Acute (sudden) prostatitis is a medical emergency.
Prostatitis refers to four different conditions that affect the prostate gland. Two types of prostatitis are linked to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Other types are not. Men with prostatitis may have infection, inflammation and/or pain. Adult men of any age can get prostatitis.
Many men who are told they have prostatitis are misdiagnosed and actually have a different condition. There’s a lot of outdated information about prostatitis. It’s important to see a healthcare provider who is up to date on the latest prostatitis research, diagnostic tests and treatments.
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The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It sits below your bladder, in front of the rectum. The urethra (tube that carries urine and semen out of the body) runs through the center of the gland.
Half of all men have symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives. It’s the most common urinary tract issue in men younger than 50. In men over 50, it’s the third most common. More than two million men see a healthcare provider every year for prostatitis symptoms.
Types of prostatitis include:
Prostatitis is benign (not cancerous). It doesn’t increase your risk of prostate cancer. However, inflammation from prostatitis sometimes raises the level of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) in blood — just like prostate cancer does. Further tests can help determine what’s causing elevated PSA levels.
Men with acute bacterial prostatitis may develop sepsis. This widespread inflammation can be life-threatening. It requires immediate medical treatment.
Antibiotics can cause an upset stomach. Men with chronic bacterial prostatitis may need lots of antibiotics to treat recurring infections. Some people develop antibiotic resistance, making treatment ineffective.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis can lower sperm count, affecting fertility.
Different types of prostatitis have different causes. Risk factors for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), the most common type, aren’t clear. Potential contributors to CPPS include:
Potential causes of bacterial forms of prostatitis include:
Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the type and cause. People with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis don’t have any symptoms.
Men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic bacterial prostatitis may experience:
Acute bacterial prostatitis causes a fever and chills.
Your healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and perform a physical exam.
Less invasive tests for prostatitis may include:
More invasive tests for prostatitis include:
Prostatitis treatments vary depending on the cause and type. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis doesn’t require treatment.
For chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), your healthcare provider may use a system called UPOINT to classify symptoms into six categories. Your provider uses multiple treatments at the same time to treat only the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Approximately 80% of men with CPPS improve with the UPOINT system. The system focuses on these symptoms and treatments:
Antibiotics can kill bacteria that cause bacterial types of prostatitis. Men with acute bacterial prostatitis may need 14 to 30 days of antibiotics, starting with IV antibiotics in the hospital. Rarely, men need surgery to drain an abscess on the prostate.
Treating chronic bacterial prostatitis is challenging. You may need up to three months of antibiotics to sterilize the prostate. If the prostate can’t be sterilized, low-dose antibiotics can be used long term to prevent recurrences. Some men need surgery to remove prostate stones or scar tissue in the urethra. Rarely, surgeons remove part or all of the prostate gland (prostatectomy).
Prompt treatment for UTIs may keep the infection from spreading to the prostate. If you have pain in your perineum when sitting, see a provider. You can take steps to address this problem before it leads to chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Antibiotics can cure acute bacterial prostatitis. These medications also ease chronic bacterial prostatitis symptoms in approximately 30% to 60% of men. Up to 80% of men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome feel better after receiving appropriate treatments for their symptoms using the UPOINT system. Men with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis don’t need treatment.
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Prostatitis is a common problem that affects many men. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion about the disease. People (including some healthcare providers) use the word prostatitis to describe four different conditions. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for prostatitis, which is why an accurate diagnosis is so important.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/07/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy