Prostatitis symptoms & treatment

Prostatitis occurs when the prostate gets irritated and swollen. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland under a man’s bladder that helps control urine flow and makes fluid that protects sperm.

The cause isn’t always clear, but prostatitis is sometimes caused by a bacterial infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

There are four primary types of prostatitis:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic prostatitis (This is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, prostatodynia and nonbacterial prostatitis.)

Prostatitis symptoms

Depending on the type you have, your symptoms of prostatitis can include:

• Being unable to empty your bladder completely
• Feeling the need to urinate frequently or urgently
• Pain or burning when you urinate

If you have chronic bacterial prostatitis, you might also have:

• Pain in your testicles, bladder and lower back
• Pain when you ejaculate

If you have chronic prostatitis, you might have:

• Pain throughout your pelvis

Services

Your Aurora urologist will talk with you about your potential prostatitis symptoms and perform a physical exam. They may also perform additional tests. Afterward, your doctor will work with you on a treatment tailored to your needs and the type of prostatitis you have.

Your options might include antibiotics or other medications, therapy or surgery. Your doctor might also recommend home treatments, such as sitz baths, heat therapy and pillows or inflatable cushions. Biofeedback and relaxation exercises can sometimes help you stop the pain and other symptoms, too.