Prostatitis is the condition in which the prostate gland gets infected and becomes inflamed. The prostate is a gland present in males between the penis and the bladder. If inflamed, there is a prominent swelling on the prostate gland, but it is not the enlarged prostate gland. This condition is excruciating as it causes difficulty in urination. It also causes discomfort and pain in the surrounding regions of the prostate gland.
Prevalence of Prostatitis
It can affect men at any age. However, men between the age of 30 and 50 are at higher risk of getting Prostatitis. There is also an estimated prevalence of 8.2% of this case at 30-50. Research has shown that half of men experience this condition once in their lifetime.
Types
Four kinds of Prostatitis have been identified.
- Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
- Chornic Bacterial Prostatitis
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
Causes
The exact reason for Prostatitis is still unidentifiable. While various factors contribute to the cause of Prostatitis.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Some of them are:
- Bacterial Infection
- Prostates Stones
- Use of Urinary Catheter
- Baldder/ Prostate Cancer
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BHP)
- History of UTI or STI
- HIV or AIDS
- Injury to pelvis
- Nerve Pathology
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Sexual Abuse
Symptoms
Symptoms of Prostatitis
The symptoms of Prostatitis vary with the type and the cause of the condition. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever and chills
- Painful Urethra and Penis (During or After Urination)
- Increased Urine frequency
- Increased Urine Urgency
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Burning sensation
- Painful genitalia
- Urinary Retention
- Inability to urinate
- Painful Ejaculation
- Inflammation of reproductive organs
- Hematospermia (Presence of blood in the semen)
- Weak urine stream
- Cloudy appearance of urine
Does Prostatitis lead to Cancer?
Prostatitis is not a symptom of Cancer, nor it leads to Cancer. It is a benign condition that can be treated with medications, e.g., antibiotics or surgery (if required). In addition, the condition can be prevented by maintaining good hygiene of the uterus (home of infections) using handheld bidets.
Treatment
Treatment protocol for Prostatitis depends upon the type of condition.
- Acute Bacterial Prostatitis: This type of condition is sudden and can be treated with painkillers and antibiotics.
- Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: The treatment of this type includes painkillers, laxatives, alpha-blockers, and antibiotics.
Physical therapy can also help in both acute and chronic conditions.