Prostatitis
Prostatitis
Our advanced treatments can help you manage prostatitis and get back to feeling like yourself.
What is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, a walnut-shaped gland located under the bladder in men. The prostate controls the production of semen. Because of its location, prostate inflammation can cause urinary symptoms, pain, and discomfort.
It’s important to know that prostatitis is not cancer, not contagious, and not a STD. It can happen at any age.
There are four different types of Prostatitis
- Chronic prostatitis: The most common type of prostatitis, chronic prostatitis accounts for about 90% of cases in the United States. Symptoms may come and go without warning. There is no official cure, but you can take steps to manage symptoms.
- Acute bacterial prostatitis: This is the least common type of prostatitis. It often comes on suddenly, causing severe symptoms including pain and difficulty urinating, fever, chills, body aches, lower back pain, pain in genitals, burning during urination, and urinary urgency. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis: This uncommon variety is an infection that returns again and again and can be difficult to treat. Symptoms often mimic acute bacterial prostatitis, though they are milder and tend to last longer. Patients don’t usually have a fever.
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: This type of prostatitis has no symptoms. It’s often only diagnosed during exams for different health problems.
What are the most common symptoms?
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Burning, pain, or stinging during urination
- Throbbing pain or pressure in the rectal or genital area
- Fever and chills (usually only with acute infections)
- Lower back pain and body aches
- Discharge through urethra during bowel movements
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
Treatment options for prostatitis
The best treatment for prostatitis depends on your age, current symptoms, how severe the disease is, and your overall health. If you’ve had prostatitis long-term (also called chronic prostatitis), treatment options often include:
- Antibiotics: Your provider may prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial infection is causing prostatitis.
- Pain relief medicine: Your provider may prescribe medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or alpha-blockers. These drugs can help relieve some pain and discomfort.
- Baths: A soak in a warm or sitz bath can help with prostatitis symptoms. Usually, baths are helpful when combined with other treatments.
- Lifestyle changes: Some changes to your routine may help with your prostatitis symptoms. These changes include reducing how much caffeine and alcohol you drink, avoiding spicy foods, and drinking more water.
- Prostate massage: A healthcare professional may give a prostate massage, which can help relieve prostatitis symptoms.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: This therapy can help treat some types of prostatitis. Exercises strengthen the muscles that support the prostate.
It’s important to treat prostatitis symptoms to prevent complications and improve outcomes. Our urology team at West Jefferson Medical Center is ready to help.
Call us directly at 504-934-8100 or select a doctor to schedule online.
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