Prostatitis

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Your prostate isn’t always to blame for pelvic pain.

If it hurts to pee or have sex, or if you have frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or blood in your semen, an inflamed (swollen) prostate could be the culprit. But there are many other reasons why you may have pain in your pelvis. Prostatitis refers to a group of conditions that can cause infection, inflammation and pain in your prostate gland and others that don’t affect your prostate at all.

Cleveland Clinic specialists can pinpoint exactly what’s causing your symptoms. We don’t assume your prostate is the cause of your pelvic pain. We’ll find out what’s going on and give you treatment that matches your specific needs.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Prostatitis Care?

Specialized knowledge:

There are several different types of prostatitis. Our team has extensive knowledge of each of these conditions and use the latest therapies and technology to treat them.

Collaborative care:

At Cleveland Clinic, your team will include highly skilled experts in urology, genitourinary radiology, pathology, pain management and pelvic floor physical therapy. These specialists work together to diagnose your condition and give you comprehensive care. Meet our team.

Virtual visits:

We want your care to be convenient. That’s why we now offer virtual visits for some appointments. If you have a smartphone, tablet or computer, you can talk one-on-one with your providers from the comfort and privacy of home.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Prostatitis Diagnosis at Cleveland Clinic

First, it’s important to know that prostatitis isn’t cancer. There are four different types of prostatitis, and your symptoms will vary depending on which type you have:

Acute bacterial prostatitis may cause flu-like symptoms like fever and chills. You might need to pee a lot or have trouble going. And it could be painful when you do. This type of prostatitis needs immediate treatment.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis (chronic prostatitis) is when bacteria get trapped in your prostate gland, giving you frequent urinary tract infections that are hard to treat.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is the most common type or prostatitis. It inflames your prostate and causes pain in your pelvis, penis and testicles.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis will cause a swollen prostate but no symptoms. Your provider might find you have this condition when you’re getting tests for something else.

Other conditions can often be misdiagnosed as prostatitis. That’s why it’s important to work with healthcare providers who are up to date with the latest research, diagnostic tests and treatments.

What to expect at your first visit

Your first visit with us begins with a conversation. We’ll ask about your symptoms, health and medical history. Your provider will also test your urine and do a blood test to check for PSA, a protein the prostate gland makes. You’ll also have a prostate exam, where your provider will check for swelling and pain. They may also collect a sample of semen to test.

Testing for prostatitis

We may also do some other tests to confirm a prostatitis diagnosis, like:

Cystoscopy to rule out other urinary tract problems, like blockages.
Urodynamic testing to check how well your bladder and urethra hold and release urine.
Transrectal ultrasound to check your prostate’s size and shape and look for any abnormal growths.
Prostate biopsy to look for abnormal or cancerous cells.

Meet Our Prostatitis Team

If you choose Cleveland Clinic for prostatitis diagnosis and treatment, you’ll benefit from our team approach to care. Your team could include:

Providers Who Treat Prostatitis

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Prostatitis Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

We’ll use your test results and the type of prostatitis you have to craft your personalized treatment plan. We’ll likely use a few different treatments to help relieve your symptoms. Usually, prostatitis doesn’t require surgery. Treatments for prostatitis may include:

Anti-inflammatories

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil^® or Motrin^®) or aspirin, can reduce pain and inflammation. Some natural therapies, like bee pollen, have also been shown to help.

Alpha-blockers

Alpha-blockers slow down certain chemical reactions in your body that cause muscle tightness or spasms. These medicines can relax your bladder muscles, making it easier and less painful to pee.

Neuromuscular therapies

These therapies can help relax tight pelvic floor muscles to relieve pain and help you pee easier. Neuromuscular therapies can include acupuncture, pelvic floor physical therapy, relaxation exercises, trigger point massage and biofeedback.

UPOINT for chronic pelvic pain syndrome

If you have CPPS, your provider may use a system called UPOINT. It groups your symptoms into six categories that guide your treatment plan, including:

Urinary: You may have medications to relax your bladder and prostate muscles to improve your urine flow.
Psychosocial: We’ll help you manage your stress with counseling or medications.
Organ: If your prostate gland is inflamed, we can treat it with anti-inflammatories.
Infection: We’ll treat a bacterial infection with antibiotics.
Neurologic: We can relieve nerve (neurogenic) pain with prescription medications, like amitriptyline (Elavil^®) and gabapentin (Gralise^®).
Tenderness: Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to reduce or get rid of muscle spasms.

Taking the Next Step

Prostatitis shouldn’t derail your life. It’s a common problem that’s treatable. But since there are different types of prostatitis, it can be confusing and challenging to diagnose and treat. Finding healthcare providers who understand how to diagnose and treat all of the prostatitis conditions is key. Cleveland Clinic providers know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We’ll work together and with you to find the best possible treatment.